Uxbridge History

Uxbridge is located on the ancestral home of the Anishaanabe Nations (Ojibway, Cree, Huron, Wendat, Algonquin, Chippewa, Mississaugas). The first settlers in the area were Quakers who started arriving in 1806 along with other British Loyalists following the American revolutionary wars. Most settlers to the Township of Uxbridge came from the Catawissa area of Pennsylvania. The Uxbridge Friends Meeting House which overlooks the town from Quaker Hill was built in 1820, and is the community’s oldest building. The Toronto and Nipissing Railroad arrived in Uxbridge in 1871, and for over a decade Uxbridge was the headquarters of the railway. Shortly after the arrival of the railway, Uxbridge became a village in 1872, and reached town status in 1885. A lot of Uxbridge's past has been preserved throughout the township. The Uxbridge Historical Centre is the hub for all things related to Uxbridge History.

Uxbridge Piano and Organ Company

Uxbridge Piano and Organ Company Located at the corner of Brock Street East and Franklin Street The Beginning of the Uxbridge Piano and Organ Company In the late 1850’s John and William McGuire, who were new to the country found their way to Uxbridge. After settling in they purchased some land south of the […]
Toronto Street Uxbridge

Toronto Street Uxbridge In the above photo looking north along Toronto Street Uxbridge from the Presbyterian Church towards Brock Street you can see the Library at the end of the tree lined street. A lot has changed over the years on Toronto Street. The Presbyterian Church has had additions. Houses and trees have been […]
We Look Back Wednesday’s | Uxbridge Public School

Uxbridge Public School The Original Building The photo above shows the original Public School on Victoria Drive in Uxbridge. According to the Uxbridge/Scott Museum files, land was acquired and a new brick school was built on the site of the present Uxbridge Public School. Elementary students were located on the main floor with the […]
We Look Back Wednesday’s | Uxbridge’s History | The Stupids (Film)

The Stupids (Film – 1996) – Quaker Village Drive Did you know in 1996 Stanley Stupid (Tom Arnold) lived on Quaker Village Drive in Uxbridge. Below are some screen shots from the movie showing Quaker Village Drive in 96′. Scroll down to see the same street today. Quaker Village Drive Today (2020)

Uxbridge Piano and Organ Company Uxbridge Piano and Organ Company Located at the corner of Brock Street East and Franklin Street The Beginning of the Uxbridge Piano and Organ Company In the late 1850’s John and William McGuire, who were new to the country found their way to Uxbridge. After settling in they purchased some land south of the […]

Toronto Street Uxbridge Toronto Street Uxbridge In the above photo looking north along Toronto Street Uxbridge from the Presbyterian Church towards Brock Street you can see the Library at the end of the tree lined street. A lot has changed over the years on Toronto Street. The Presbyterian Church has had additions. Houses and trees have been […]

We Look Back Wednesday’s | Uxbridge Public School Uxbridge Public School The Original Building The photo above shows the original Public School on Victoria Drive in Uxbridge. According to the Uxbridge/Scott Museum files, land was acquired and a new brick school was built on the site of the present Uxbridge Public School. Elementary students were located on the main floor with the […]

We Look Back Wednesday’s | Uxbridge’s History | The Stupids (Film) The Stupids (Film – 1996) – Quaker Village Drive Did you know in 1996 Stanley Stupid (Tom Arnold) lived on Quaker Village Drive in Uxbridge. Below are some screen shots from the movie showing Quaker Village Drive in 96′. Scroll down to see the same street today. Quaker Village Drive Today (2020)

History of Uxbridge Secondary School (USS) History of Uxbridge High School and Uxbridge Secondary School Uxbridge High School – 1887 Uxbridge High School In 1873 a school was built on the site of the current Uxbridge Public School. Elementary students were located on the first floor and high school students on the second floor. Learn about the Uxbridge Public School […]

We Look Back Wednesday’s | Uxbridge’s History | Uxbridge Train Station Uxbridge Train Station The Toronto & Nipissing Railway built the first Uxbridge station in 1870. For many years the station was operated by the Grand Truck Railway and in 1904 the station we know today with its “witch’s hat” roof was built, shown below. The Witch’s Hat Station […]

Elgin Pond Uxbridge Elgin Pond Uxbridge Location Elgin Pond is located right in the heart of Uxbridge at the corners of Main Street South and Mill Street. History The photo above is a post card showing the view of the pond looking north from Main Street, taken in 1905. You can see the Oatmeal Mill at […]

The Bascom House Hotel The Bascom House Hotel https://scugogheritage.com/history/uxbridgefirst100.pdf https://scugogheritage.com/history/uxbridgefirst100.pdf History The Bascom House Hotel was built in 1884 on the north side of Brock Street right where Bascom Street meets Brock Street. It was used as a hotel until 1920 when it was sold to Harold Cave, the owner of The […]

Corner of Brock Street W & Spruce St Downtown Uxbridge Corner of Brock Street W & Spruce St Downtown Uxbridge History of the Corner of Brock Street W & Spruce St Downtown Uxbridge The Corner of Brock Street W & Spruce St Downtown Uxbridge has seen a few changes over the years. William Henry built the building in the photo above in 1885. It was […]

The Roxy Theatre The Roxy Theatre History of the Roxy Theatre The quonset-style building was originally built in 1949 at the corner of Brock Street and Toronto Street. It opened as the RIO Theatre and in 1951 the name was changed to the ROXY when the Theatre Amusement Company purchased it. In the 1970’s the theatre was […]

Uxbridge History Downtown Uxbridge – Brock Street, West Downtown Uxbridge – Brock Street, West Above: View of Wixan’s Bridge, the Lt. Col. Samuel Sharpe memorial and Post Office as seen today (2022). History Below is Brock Street W from a similar vantage point taken in the early 1900’s. At the time this photo was taken the house was owned by Michael O’Neil a […]

Mansion House Hotel – Martin’s Hotel Mansion House Hotel – Martin’s Hotel History Located at the south-west corner of Brock Street and Toronto Street was the Mansion House Hotel – Martin’s Hotel. The hotel was built in 1871 by Joseph Gould and was originally known as the Mansion House Hotel. According to “Uxbridge The Good Old Days” Jim Martin later […]

Trinity United Church Uxbridge Trinity United Church Uxbridge 1888 – 2022 The above two photos show the original corner stones. The 1888 stone is located on the north east corner of the church and the Methodist Church stone is located on the south east corner with the main entrance to the church in between them. History Of Trinity […]

Palmer Piano Factory / Gold Medal Radio & Phonograph Company Palmer Piano Factory / Gold Medal Radio & Phonograph Company The map below is a section from the Uxbridge Insurance plan drawings from 1910 showing the corner of Brock St and Victoria Ave. According to Tales From The Uxbridge Valley, written by Alan McGillivray “After a fire at the Uxbridge Piano and Organ […]

The Uxbridge Municipal Office The Uxbridge Municipal Office History The Uxbridge Municipal Office is located at 51 Toronto Street South, right in the heart of town. The building was originally built in 1958 and was the home of the St Joseph’s Separate School. Over the years the student population grew and in 1990 they moved to their […]

Downtown Uxbridge North West Downtown Uxbridge North West Above: View of Wixan’s Bridge and Post Office as seen today. Below: Similar view during the Santa Claus Parade in 1961. The two houses in the background where torn down and replaced with the Post Office, Wixan’s Bridge and the parking lot.

Uxbridge’s Military Cannon Uxbridge’s Military Cannon The cannon sits on display near the old location of the beach, swimming area and docks of Elgin Pond where during the 50s, 60s & 70s it was a favourite spot for swimmers to hang their towels or lay on while drying off after a swim in the spring-fed water. History […]

Quaker Meeting House Quaker Meeting House or the Friends Meeting House When Built According to the Quaker Meeting House’s website the building is the oldest structure in Uxbridge. It was built in 1820 and replaced an older building from 1809. Located on Quaker Hill over looking Uxbridge from the west. The following is taken from the Quaker […]

Elgin Pond Drinking Fountain Elgin Pond Drinking Fountain Who remembers the drinking fountain at Elgin Pond? Located at the corner of Main St S and Mill St is the spring fed water trough. Kids used to lay down in the trough to get soaked by the cold spring water and then jump into the pond, making the […]

The Commercial Hotel The Commercial Hotel – 1868 The above photo taken in 2020 shows the Commercial Hotel in its present location at 37 Main Street N. The building was home to the Hobby Horse Arms for many years, which featured one of the largest single malt scotch collection in the greater GTA. There was a pub located […]