Uxbridge is town of 22,000 is a 20-minute drive from the City of Markham or the City of Pickering. It has a quaint shopping district, as well as architecturally and historically significant homes, churches and buildings, which are a draw for both residents and visitors. Attractions include the Byzantine-style Foster Memorial Temple, the former St. Paul Presbyterian Church Manse in Leaskdale, and the former home of Lucy Maud Montgomery.
Uxbridge History
Uxbridge was surveyed in 1805 as part of York County, and is named for Uxbridge, England. The Township’s original settlers were Pennsylvania Quakers who built an 1820s meeting house, which is now one of the communty’s oldest buildings. The Toronto and Nipissing Railroad arrived in Uxbridge in 1871, and for the next decade Uxbridge was the railway’s headquarters.
When Regional Municipality of Durham was created in 1974, Uxbridge Township was amalgamated with the Town of Uxbridge and Scott Township to create an expanded Township of Uxbridge. Today the community is a manufacturing centre as well as a bedroom community for Durham Region and the Greater Toronto Area.
Uxbridge Attractions
1901 Uxbridge Music Hall
51 Toronto St. S. , P.O. Box 190
Uxbridge, Ont L9P 1T1
(905) 852-9181 Fax: (905) 852-9674
This beautiful historical facility is climate-controlled for year round comfort. It is a multi-use facility, ideal for theatrical productions, concerts, recitals and conferences, as well as dinners, wedding receptions, parties, meetings and seminars. Known for its superior acoustics, the Uxbridge Music Hall is a thriving cultural centre.
It is widely used by theatrical groups such as the Uxbridge Players, Seventh Star Productions and the Uxbridge Musical Theatre, and by choral groups such as the Pineridge Chorus. Theatre style seating capacity is 300, while it can accommodate 150 for catered dining.
L. M. Montgomery Society of Ontario
Durham Road 1, Leaskdale
11 kms north of Uxbridge, ON.
Mailing: PO Box 84, Leaskdale, ON, L0C 1K0
905-852-7493
The Leaskdale Manse was Lucy Maude Montgomery’s home since 1911, after she married the Presbyterian minister for this prosperous farming community. Montgomery lived at the Manse for 15 years and raised 2 sons, and she recorded her thoughts in that period in her journals. Lucy Maud Montgomery wrote 11 of her 22 books here. Open Sunday afternoons in July and August. For other times, please call ahead. Admission is by donation. Tours are available by appointment.
The Friends’ Meeting House on Quaker Hill
6800 Concession Rd 6, Uxbridge, ON L9P 1R1
(West side of the 6th Concession, just south of Durham Road 8)
(905) 852-0009
Erected in 1820, replacing an 1809 log structure on the same site. The hand-hewn timber is still in good repair today. Admission by donation. Many beautiful weddings are held in the Meeting House.
The Thomas Foster Memorial
9499 Durham Regional Rd 1, Uxbridge, ON L9P 1R2
(905) 640-3966
This Taj Mahal like memorial was built in Uxbridge by Thomas Foster a real estate developer, who was Toronto mayor, an MPP
Uxbridge Historical Centre (Uxbridge-Scott Museum)
7239 Concession Rd 6, Uxbridge, ON L9P 1N5
(Concession Rd 6, 1/4 mile north of Durham Road 8)
(905)-852-5854
The Uxbridge Historical Centre was established in 1972 to preserve the history and heritage of Uxbridge township. he UHC consists of more than 6,000 artifacts and 10 buildings on a 5 acre site overlooking the beautiful Uxbridge Valley and Oak Ridges Moraine.
York-Durham Heritage Railway
19 Railway St, Uxbridge, ON L9P 1E5
PO Box 462, Stouffville ON, L4A 7Z7
905-852-3696
Leaving from a fully restored rail station where travelers can board the nostalgic train and enjoy the scenic ride between Uxbridge and Stouffville. The locomotives are 1950s diesel, and the various cars date back to 1919. Saturdays are reserved for special functions, Sundays are for the general public, with 2 trips a day (not wheelchair accessible). Fares $$$..