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Uxbridge, Ontario

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Uxbridge
Township
Coat of arms of Uxbridge
Coat of arms
Uxbridge within the Durham Region
Uxbridge within the Durham Region
Country Canada
Province Ontario
RegionDurham Region
Established1973
Government
 • MayorGerri Lynn O'Connor
 • Governing bodyUxbridge Township Council
Area
[1]
 • Land420.65 km2 (162.41 sq mi)
Elevation
273 m (896 ft)
Population
 (2006)[1]
 • Total
19,169
 • Density45.6/km2 (118/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (Eastern (EDT))
Websitewww.town.uxbridge.on.ca

Uxbridge is a township in south-central Ontario, Canada, in the Regional Municipality of Durham, in the Greater Toronto Area.

The main centre in the township is the namesake community of Uxbridge. Other communities within the township include Coppins Corners, Goodwood,[2] Leaskdale, Roseville, Sandford, Sandy Hook, Siloam, Victoria Corners and Zephyr.

History

Uxbridge was surveyed in 1805 as part of York County. It was named for Uxbridge, England, of which the name is derived from "Wixan's Bridge".[3] The Wixan were a 7th-century Saxon tribe from Lincolnshire who also began to settle in what became Middlesex.[4] Anglo-Saxons began to settle and farm in the area of Uxbridge, England in the 5th century, clearing the dense woodland and remaining there for around 500 years.[4] Uxbridge, UK became part of the Elthorne Hundred with other villages in the area. The town later appears in records from 1107 as "Woxbrigge".[5]

The first settlers in the area were Quakers who started arriving in 1806 from the Catawissa area of Pennsylvania. The community's oldest building, the Uxbridge Friends Meeting House, was built in 1820 and overlooks the town from Quaker Hill, a kilometre to the west.

The township was incorporated as a municipality in 1850 and became part of the newly formed Ontario County two years later.

The first passenger carrying narrow gauge railway in North America, the Toronto and Nipissing Railway arrived in Uxbridge in June 1871, and for over a decade Uxbridge was the headquarters of the railway. In 1872, the Village of Uxbridge was separated from the Township and incorporated as a separate entity.

With the creation of the Regional Municipality of Durham in 1974, Uxbridge Township was amalgamated with the Town of Uxbridge and Scott Township to create an expanded Township of Uxbridge.

Uxbridge today

Today, Uxbridge serves as a mostly suburban community in northern Durham Region. Major manufacturing employers include Pine Valley Packaging (packaging, containers and portable shelters), Koch-Glitsch Canada (mass transfer systems) and Hela Canada (spice and ingredient manufacture). As of fall 2012 the headquarters of First Leaside Group of companies (financial and investment services) will be moving to the town. Many residents commute to other centres in Durham and York Regions and beyond.

The 30-bed Uxbridge Cottage Hospital is a site of the Markham Stouffville Hospital Corporation.

Uxbridge is twinned with Catawissa, Pennsylvania, in the United States, from which many of its settlers originated.

Uxbridge has three community newspapers, the Uxbridge Standard, the Uxbridge Times Journal and the Cosmos. It is also served by a monthly community magazine and events guide, Uxbridge Town Talk.

Demographics

According to the 2006 Census, the township has a population of 19,169 over an area of 420.65 km². The population has increased 10.3% since 2001 and has a density of 45.6 people per square kilometre.

Attractions

Thomas Foster Memorial

In 2009 Uxbridge Township received federal designation by Industry Canada as The Trail Capital of Canada, resulting from the over 220 kilometers of managed trails on over 8,000 acres (32 km2) of protected greenspace within its borders. Uxbridge trails run through and alongside historic villages, mixed forests, meadows, ponds, streams, and wetlands. A number of major trail systems run through the Township, including the Oak Ridges Trail and the Trans-Canada Trail.

The Uxbridge-Scott Museum and Archives possesses a number of artifacts, mostly related to the township's agricultural heritage and the genealogy of its residents. The Museum also includes nine heritage buildings as well as heritage herb and flower gardens. During the annual Heritage Days festval, the museum grounds are host to the "Steam Show" featuring steam-engines and steam-based agricultural machinery, among other attractions.[6]

There are also a number of attractions related to the history of the area. Uxbridge's Elgin Park, named after Lord Elgin, was the site of a picnic held by 19th century Prime Minister John A. Macdonald in a re-election bid. In addition, the Thomas Foster Memorial Temple, erected in 1935-36 by the former mayor of Toronto, is situated a short distance north of town. Inspired by Foster's visit to India, the Temple was designed by architects J.H. Craig (1889–1954) and H.H. Madrill (1889–1998). Finally, the former home of famed author Lucy Maud Montgomery of Anne of Green Gables fame is situated in Leaskdale. Montgomery lived in the area from 1911 to 1926, and wrote half of her books at what is now the site of the Leaskdale Manse Museum.

Since 1995, the Lions Club has hosted Art in the Park, held the second week in August. Also known as Summerfest, this juried art show attracts artists from across the province.

Since 1886, the Uxbridge Fall Fair has been held annually during the second week in September. Events include a tractor pull and a demolition derby. The Uxbridge Studio Tour and Sale is also held in September, giving visitors an opportunity to meet with local artists in their studios and explore the creative process.

Since 1988, Uxbridge has hosted an annual Heritage Christmas Craft Show, held the second Saturday in November. A Santa Claus Parade is also held annually in late November.

Since 2008 there has been an annual Uxbridge Ribfest, usually during a middle weekend of July. It is run by the town branch of the Royal Canadian Legion (Branch 170).[7]

Throughout the year, a number of theatrical and musical productions are held at the Music Hall. Movies are shown at a local unique movie theatre, named The Roxy.[8]

The Highlands of Durham Games are held in Elgin Park near the end of July. These games focus on Celtic traditions and offer a variety of entertainments.

Transport

Uxbridge is the northern terminus of the York Durham Heritage Railway, which runs from Stouffville. The Stouffville line of GO Transit is proposed to be extended to Uxbridge (As part of MoveOntario 2020 plan), but is currently served by buses to the GO Transit station at Lincolnville.

Education

Public elementary schools

  • Joseph Gould Public School
  • Quaker Village Public School
  • Scott Township Central School
  • Uxbridge Public School
  • Goodwood Public School

Separate elementary schools

  • St. Joseph's Catholic School

Independent schools

  • Uxbridge Montessori School

High schools

Colleges

Historical figures

  • Joseph Gould farmer, businessman and political figure in Ontario, Canada
  • Lucy Maud Montgomery Canadian author, best known for a series of novels beginning with Anne of Green Gables, published in 1908.
  • Laura Secord Canadian hero during the War of 1812, was granted 172 acres (0.70 km2) of land in Uxbridge

Notable residents

In film

References

  1. ^ a b Statistics Canada 2006 Census - Uxbridge community profile
  2. ^ For a complete history of Goodwood, see Eleanor Todd, Burrs and Blackberries from Goodwood (Goodwood, ON: 1980).
  3. ^ Uxbridge, English Place-Name Society database at Nottingham University
  4. ^ a b Cotton 1994, p.8
  5. ^ Sherwood 2007, p.5
  6. ^ "40th Annual Heritage Days". Uxbridge Historical Centre. Retrieved 2011-06-14.
  7. ^ "The Uxbridge Fall Fair". Retrieved March 7, 2011.
  8. ^ "Roxy Theatres". Retrieved March 7, 2011.
  9. ^ http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090310.wsptroberts0310/BNStory/Sports/?page=rss&id=..wsptroberts0310
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