GLENVILLE

 

From PLACES IN ONTARIO, THEIR NAME ORIGINS AND HISTORY,

PART II, F-M,

By Nick and Helma Mika

Mika Publishing Company, Belleville, Ontario 1981

Page 134.

 

 

 

Situated in northern King Township, about 4 miles west of Newmarket on Highway 9, this dispersed rural community was the site of a number of industries in the nineteenth century.  It was probably given its name because of its location hemmed in by hills.

Early settlers included the families of Bolton, Webster, Brodie, Wray, Sommerville, and Graham..  In 1807 William Lloyd built a sawmill by the south pond, and in 1836 a large flour mill was erected on the north pond by William Cawthra.  In the 1840’s William Roe opened a distillery to produce whiskey.  Christopher Scott established a blanked and carpet making business, and one of the community’s stores became the sit of a felt hat manufactory.  Two hotels were opened,  the Sand Bank Hotel by John Hare, and Central Hotel by Charles Brodie, who was also one of the first blacksmiths.  Samuel Waldock, a miller, became the first postmaster in 1900.

 

The first church in the village was built by Methodists.  Its congregation became part of the United Church of Canada in 1925.  The original Glenville public school was erected on the Rogers farm in 1839.  The building was later moved to another site.  A new school, constructed in 1855 taught pupils until 1953.