King Township Heritage & History
King Township History & Heritage
Read about the long and rich history of King which dates first European settlement to 1797. Originally settled by the Mississaugas subtribe of the Ojibwa First Nations people. There is some evidence of a large Huron encampment at Hackett Lake. Residents in the area in the 1950s and 1960s would discover arrowheads and other archaelogical items indicating a Huron presence.
Early settlements in the area developed primarily around gristmills and sawmills. These were important economic engines in the region during the 1800s, which resulted in the establishment of other communities and businesses nearby. Some settlements have since been abandoned, or are no longer communities per se, including Bell's Lake, Davis Corners, King Ridge, Kinghorn and Rafferty's Corner.[wikipedia]
Proud of our heritage, King has produced an easy to follow brochure with photographs of several significant pioneer school houses, churches and early homesteads (download heritage map), as well a little history of it's many 'vanished villages'.
King boasts the oldest railway station in Ontario and some of the finest estates in Canada; Eaton Hall and Mary Lake built by Sir Henry Pellatt and since 1949, Mary Lake has been home to an Augustinian Monastery. King abounds with other such significant Heritage Buildings, Churches and Pioneer Cemeteries (download Map.) Coming to King Township is like taking a voyage into the past.
Steeped in history, King continues to celebrate the rural way of life by holding many annual events like the Nobleton Victoria Day Fair and Fireworks, the Schomberg Agricultural Fair, Garden Tours,Kettleby Fall Fair. Doors Open King opens it's doors to several significant heritage locations in King Township each year in September. (download map.) Celebrate the season at the Schomberg Main St Christmas on December 2nd and let us become part of your family tradition.
Research and Fun Links
A webpage has been dedicated to Regional and Municipal Heritage and Historical Links. Please visit the Links Webpage which offers some fascinating and possibly useful Ontario resources websites.
Heritage related articles and releases:Getting to King Township
King Township is located halfway between Toronto and Barrie, stretching from west of Bathurst St. to just east of Highway 50 in Bolton. King is approx. 30 min. north of Pearson Int'l Airport, and is accessible by Highways 400, 407, 427, 27, 9 and 11.
King, is just 10 min. north of Paramount Canada's Wonderland and includes the unique and charming communities of: Ansnorveldt, Kettleby, King City, Laskay, Lloydtown (birthplace of Canadian democracy), Nobleton (5 min. north of Kleinburg), Pottageville, Schomberg and Snowball.
Email us for information on King, or for help planning your day at: King Tourism, and print the King Tourism Display Card.
King Tourism photography by Andrea Kollo. All Images Copyrighted. No use, duplication or copying is permitted without written permission.
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