Rural Uxbridge

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Rural Uxbridge
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      History:

      Uxbridge was settled in 1806, by Quakers from Pennsylvania. The Quaker Friends Meeting House, built in 1821, was the focal point of this pioneer community. The Quaker Friends Meeting House located south of Durham Road 8, off Concession 6, is open to the public during the summer, on the first Sunday of each month.

      The 1820s, and 30s, saw a new wave of settlers arrive in Uxbridge from Britain. When the local post office was opened in 1836, the name Uxbridge was chosen. This name originates from Uxbridge, Middlesex, England, and is thought to be derived from a Saxon tribe.

      Uxbridge ushered in a new era of growth and prosperity in 1871, when the Grand Trunk Railway established headquarters here. A roundhouse, engine repair shop, and a railway car factory, all brought great prosperity to Uxbridge, which led to its incorporation as a town in 1885. Today, the Uxbridge Train Station is part of the historic York-Durham Heritage Railway. This nostalgic railway takes passengers back in time on a twenty minute picturesque ride through the Uxbridge Valley, to the neighbouring Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville.

      In 1911, Lucy Maud Montgomery, the world renowned author of Anne of Green Gables, moved to Uxbridge with her husband, the Reverend Ewan Macdonald. Montgomery resided in Uxbridge until 1926, and wrote 11 of her 22 novels at the Church Manse in the hamlet of Leaskdale. The Leaskdale Church Manse is now a national historic site.

      For more information on Lucy Maud Montgomery, and Uxbridge’s other celebrated people including: nationally known artist David Milne, pianist Glen Gould, and former Toronto Mayor Thomas Foster, you should visit the Uxbridge-Scott Museum & Archives located north of Durham Road 8, off Concession Road 6.

      This museum is situated in one of the prettiest settings in the Greater Toronto Area, overlooking the Uxbridge Valley, and the Oak Ridges Moraine. Call 905-852-5854 for public hours.

      Overview:

      The predominantly rural Township of Uxbridge is situated on the wonderful, picturesque landscape, of the Oak Ridges Moraine. The rolling countryside that dominates this municipality is dotted with agriculture, livestock, and horse farms. These storybook farms are buffered by pristine woodlots, and conservation areas that combine to create an idyllic landscape.

      Uxbridge’s vast rural area includes the following hamlets: Coppins Corners, Goodwood, Leaskdale, Sandford, Sandy Hook, Siloam, Udora, and Zephyr. These hamlets are situated off single lane concession roads, sometimes paved, sometimes not. The general store and the church are the focal points of the community where neighbours meet.

      Most residents of Rural Uxbridge are engaged in some aspect of farming; whether it be agriculture, livestock, or hobby farms. There are also many garden nurseries in Uxbridge.

       

      Lifestyle:

      As you approach Uxbridge along Highway 47, you will come upon new commercial developments, that feature well known retailers, fast food franchises, and car dealerships. Continue north along Highway 47 and you will arrive in downtown Uxbridge. This quaint and charming shopping district proudly displays historic street signs and colourful banners. The wide sidewalks are pedestrian friendly and allow space to stop and admire the many historical buildings, and neatly arranged storefronts, that make Uxbridge a special place to shop. There is ample free parking along this stretch. The mix of stores in downtown Uxbridge includes: furniture stores, home decor shops, flower shops, gift shops, book stores, music stores, clothing boutiques, financial institutions, convenience stores, grocery stores, cafes and restaurants.

      Homes:

      Rural Uxbridge properties are spaced well apart with lots of land and privacy. The dwellings on these properties can range from ranch-style bungalows, to Ontario farmhouses to large gated estates.

      Recreation:

      There are four trails on the Oak Ridges Moraine that can be accessed from Uxbridge. These trails support a myriad of recreational opportunities including: cycling, hiking, and cross-country skiing. Pleasure Valley located at 2499 Brock Road is a private multi-purpose recreational facility that offers cross-country skiing and horseback riding. The topography of the Oak Ridges Moraine makes for some excellent skiing and golf. Downhill skiing is available at the Lakeridge Ski Resort located in Uxbridge, on Durham Road 23. The Mill Run Golf & Country Club located on Durham Road 8, is a public facility that features two very scenic and challenging 18 hole courses. The Wooden Sticks Golf Course is sculpted into the spectacular landscape of the Oak Ridges Moraine, and is considered one of the elite golf courses in Ontario. This highly regarded course has recreated some of the world’s most famous golf holes. Wooden Sticks is located on Elgin Park Drive between Main Street and Toronto Street.

      The Township of Uxbridge Arena and Recreation Centre, located at 291 Brock Street West, runs youth, adult, and seniors’ leagues, as well as instructional skating. The Uxbridge Tennis Club is located at the community tennis courts behind the Uxbridge Arena and Recreation Centre. Club tournaments, house leagues, social events and a junior program are organized by this very active tennis club. Uxpool is a multi-purpose recreational facility off Brock Street, at 1 Parkside Drive. In addition to a 25 metre swimming pool this complex has two squash courts, and fitness rooms. Uxbridge has numerous rural halls and community centre’s. Programs at these centre’s include everything from ballet classes and yoga, to euchre and line dancing.

      Arts:

      Uxbridge has a proud arts and entertainment tradition that dates back to 1901, when the Uxbridge Music Hall was built. The Music Hall known for its superior acoustics is located in downtown Uxbridge on Main Street. This popular venue is the home of the Uxbridge Players theatrical group and the Uxbridge Chamber Choir. Elgin Park in downtown Uxbridge is the site of many popular annual events. These include: Art in the Park, which takes place every summer and is hosted by the Uxbridge Lions Club. Artists from across Ontario show their work at this event. The Uxbridge Fall Fair which originated in 1864, celebrates Uxbridge’s rural roots. The Highlands of Durham Games features Celtic games, music, storytelling and merriment.

      The Roxy Theatre located at 46 Brock Street is an Uxbridge landmark. This art-deco theatre is equipped with state-of-the-art projection equipment, surround sound, and comfortable tilt-back chairs. The Roxy Theatre screens current films and also runs an Art Film Club. The Uxbridge Township Public Library built in 1887, is located at 9 Toronto Street, in the heart of Uxbridge. This library includes a newer addition and houses a collection of over 50,000 books, as well as internet terminals, meeting rooms, a business centre, and a number of programs for adults and children. The Zephyr Library located at 1300 Durham Rd. #39, offers programs for all ages.

      Museums are plentiful in Uxbridge. The Leaskdale Manse Museum located at Regional Road 1, a short drive north of downtown Uxbridge, celebrates the life of renowned Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery. Montgomery’s two children were born and raised in the Manse, and half of her 22 books were written here. Tours are available by appointment only. The Thomas Foster Memorial located on Durham 1, Concession 7, pays tribute to the rags-to-riches life of Thomas Foster. Foster, whose roots were in Uxbridge, was a self-made real estate tycoon, and was Mayor of Toronto from 1925 to 1927. The Thomas Foster Memorial which sits on a hill in the countryside, was built in 1936 for $250,000, and was modelled on a much smaller scale after the Taj Mahal in Agra, India.

      The Uxbridge Scott Museum located off Durham Road 8, at 7239 Concession 6. , tells the story of Uxbridge and its many celebrated figures. An old school house, church, and municipal hall, are some of the historic structures that are part of this museum.

          Rural Uxbridge Stats

          Walkability:

          Low

          Bikeability:

          High

          Public Transit:

          Low

          Affordability:

          Medium

          Greenspace:

          High

          Recreation:

          High

           

          Legend: Low, Medium, High

          Commute Times

          Time to Closest Shopping Mall:
          25 Minutes
          Time to GO Bus or Train Station:
          25 Minutes
          Time To Hospital:
          25 Minutes
          Time to Toronto Pearson International Airport
          60 Minutes
          Time to Closest Highway:
          10 Minutes

          * All commuting times provided are approximate times only. Commute times may increase or decrease depending on where you live within the neighbourhood and the time of day i.e rush hour versus off hour commutes. Time estimates to public transit are based on walking distance or bus line connection whichever is quicker. All other commute times on the chart above are based on drive times.