The Richmond Hill Historical Society, P. O. Box 61527, 9350 Yonge Street, Richmond Hill, ON (2026)

08/21/2026

The construction of the Richmond Hill Methodist (later United) Church was no easy feat. It boasts a history of over 200 years, where it began as a simple log schoolhouse that acted as a place of worship for the local Methodists, then later built as a frame building in 1847 as a replacement, but didn't survive. Five months later, in 1880, work began on what was to be the last building.

Construction was carried out for a year until the church was completed in 1881. In its time, the church cost $17,000 to be built, which was a very significant figure, and the property was purchased for $950 as a deed. During those times the church was large enough to accommodate everyone who lived in the area together.

The United Church was built in the High Victorian Gothic Revival style. This is heavily embodied through sharp edges and arches, stained glass windows, and, mostly, the two flanking steeples. Its front entrance is within a projecting exterior Gothic arch with side buttresses. A secondary entrance into the church is available on the south side of the main tower, which also has a datestone inscribed with “A.D. 1880” at its base. The southwest corner of the church features the prominent three-tier steeple that seems to be the defining element of the structure.

The church was designed by Charles Albert Walton (1845-1908), a Toronto architect, born in Leeds, England, and came to Canada with his family in 1856. He trained as an architect under William Kauffman in Toronto and later worked in several cities, including Toronto, Montreal, Detroit, Albany, and Chicago.

In the 1870s, Walton practised in Detroit before returning to Toronto, where he briefly partnered with architect William Storm. By 1878, he had established his own architectural practice. Walton was an important figure in Toronto’s early architectural history and contributed to the city’s growing architectural landscape during the late 19th century, including the United Church and its steeple which is the tallest among all historic church steeples in the City of Richmond Hill.

The Richmond Hill United Church at 10201 Yonge Street was officially designated as a heritage property under the Ontario Heritage Act by the City of Richmond Hill council on June 25, 2025 (via By-law 109-25, finalized in October 2025).

📸 Richmond Hill Public Library

07/24/2026

Jeff Stubbs recently shared this wonderful family history along with a faded watercolour depicting the view looking north up Yonge Street when the Harding farmhouse still stood. With his permission, we're pleased to share both his memories and the painting with our Richmond Hill history community.

"My grandfather was one of the last Harding owners. He and his three brothers jointly inherited the property from their father. Two of the brothers died shortly after the First World War, leaving the property to the two youngest. When the older of those two brothers passed away, the property was sold as the Depression hit the family hard.

My grandfather, known as 'Pug' Harding, and his young family moved into a rental property at Yonge Street and Langstaff Road. My mother, Dorothy Mae Harding (now Stubbs), is the last surviving member of that generation. She is now 89 years old and, after living in various parts of Ontario, now resides in Bradford.

Here is a faded watercolour painting looking north up Yonge Street from the time the Harding farmhouse still stood. The older brother's family eventually relocated from Richmond Hill to Toronto."

— Jeff Stubbs

07/22/2026

The Harding Family Farm – A Cornerstone of Richmond Hill's History

Pictured is the Harding family home, which stood on Lot 44, Concession 1 from 1881 to 1961. The house was built by William Harding and was later occupied by his son, George Harding.

A Brief History of the Property

* 1796– Asa Dexter was assigned the original land grant for this part of Richmond Hill (Markham Township).
* 1805 – Although Asa Dexter was assigned the lot in 1796, it was Bowley Arnold who obtained the Crown Grant. Bowley was the son of John and Mary (Wilson) Arnold.
* The Arnold family retained ownership of the property for many years. Bowley's brothers held part of the property until 1840, when the north half was sold to Alexander C. Lawrence.
* The south half had been sold to William Stockdale in 1833, then to Alexander C. Lawrence in 1839.
* 1875 – Alexander C. Lawrence sold the entire farm to William Harding, for whom Harding Boulevard is named.
* The Harding family would later sell the property back to the Lawrence family in the early 1900s.

From the 1910s through the 1930s, William J. Lawrence helped put Richmond Hill on the map with the roses he cultivated. His operation became known nationwide and attracted other rose growers to the community, transforming Richmond Hill into the Rose Growing Capital of Canada and bringing tremendous prosperity to the town.

To accommodate the growing population drawn to the floral industry, Lawrence subdivided portions of his greenhouse properties into the "Roseview Gardens" subdivision we still see today.

The Harding farm represents more than one family's story—it reflects the evolution of Richmond Hill from early Crown land grants to thriving family farms, and ultimately to the internationally recognized rose-growing industry that shaped the community's identity.

History courtesy of Early Days of Richmond Hill.

07/08/2026

The Innes Mill, circa 1900

The Innes Mill was located at the south end of Richmond Street, just below Mill Pond, and was one of Richmond Hill's largest employers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Originally built by John Langstaff around 1847 on the south side of Mill Pond, the sawmill was purchased by Leslie Innes in 1889. After being destroyed by fire in 1894, it was rebuilt into the impressive milling complex shown in this photograph, which remained in operation until 1927.

The mill complex included a sawmill, planing mill, and grist mill. At the Mill Street entrance was a log storage yard, where logs were placed onto a trolley and pulled by chain along tracks into the open saw shed visible in the foreground. Stacks of squared timber can also be seen awaiting shipment.

The square-topped building in the left background housed the company's offices, with a band saw on the ground floor and the sash and door department above. The white building in the center, topped by a rooftop water tank, contained the boiler room and dry kiln. An interesting detail is that John Innes collected the distilled water dripping from the kiln for use in his amateur photography.

The tall building to the right was the grist mill. Beyond it stood a bridge crossing the creek to a pig pen, horse stable, and additional lumber sheds. The original slender smokestack was later replaced with a brick chimney that eventually required an extension

John Innes was not only a mill owner but also a respected builder and architect whose work helped shape Richmond Hill. Many of his buildings still stand today, including the McConaghy Seniors' Centre (formerly McConaghy Public School).

Today, Innis Crescent carries on the family's legacy and remains a lasting reminder of the Innes family and the mill that played such an important role in Richmond Hill's early industrial history.

Photo: The Innes Mill, circa 1900 courtesy of Richmond Hill Public Library .

06/17/2026

Last evening's Summer Social hosted by the Richmond Hill Historical Society was a wonderful celebration of community, history, and the people who work tirelessly to preserve it.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the 2026 Bert Hunt Heritage Award to Cheryl Butler, a truly deserving recipient whose years of dedication to heritage preservation have earned her the respect and admiration of many. Cheryl has long been a passionate advocate for Richmond Hill's history—a genuine "Heritage Warrior" who has consistently stood up for the protection of our historic places, stories, and cultural identity.

As she accepted the award, Cheryl delivered a heartfelt and inspiring message that resonated with everyone in attendance. She reminded us that heritage preservation is not simply about saving old buildings; it is about protecting the character, memories, and sense of place that connect us to those who came before us. Her words challenged us all to remain vigilant and engaged in the fight to preserve Richmond Hill's heritage before it is too late.

The evening was a fitting tribute to both Bert Hunt's legacy and Cheryl's ongoing commitment to ensuring that Richmond Hill's history is not forgotten.

🎉 Congratulations, Cheryl Butler, on this well-deserved honour. Your passion, perseverance, and leadership continue to inspire others to become advocates for our community's heritage and to help safeguard the historic places that tell Richmond Hill's story.

Together, we can ensure that future generations inherit not only the stories of our past, but the buildings and landscapes that bring those stories to life.

Bring and Brag had several members sharing their artifacts too. Thank you for sharing them!

A special thank you to Donna Smith for making the cakes, and to all who cut strawberries, whipped the cream, served the deserts, helped with the set up, and to Chris Robart for sharing the photos.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/crobart/albums/72177720334255881/with/55341123194

06/16/2026

📣 Reminder! Join us tonight for the Richmond Hill Historical Society's Summer Social and Bring & Brag!

🏆 Celebrate the announcement of the 2026 Bert Hunt Heritage Award recipient, enjoy strawberries and homemade cakes, and share your own piece of Richmond Hill history during our popular Bring & Brag session.

📅 Tonight – Tuesday, June 16, 2026
🕡 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
📍 Rooms A & B, 2nd Floor
Richmond Hill Public Library – Central Branch
1 Atkinson Street, Richmond Hill

Bring a photograph, artifact, document, or family heirloom and help us celebrate the stories that make Richmond Hill special.

👉 https://rhhs.ca/meetings-events/

We look forward to seeing you there!

06/12/2026

✨️ Recognizing Those Who Preserve Richmond Hill’s Story!

The Richmond Hill Historical Society invites you to join us next Tuesday, June 16, 2026, for our annual Summer Social and Bring & Brag evening!

Join members of the Historical Society for a fun and engaging night celebrating Richmond Hill's rich heritage.

🏆 The recipient of the 2026 Bert Hunt Heritage Award will be announced and honoured during the evening.

Do you have a historic photograph, document, artifact, family heirloom, or other piece of Richmond Hill history tucked away at home? Bring it along and share its story during our popular Bring & Brag session!

🍓 Enjoy fresh strawberries and whipped cream
🎂 Delicious homemade cakes
📜 Fascinating historical displays and stories
🏆 Presentation of the 2026 Bert Hunt Heritage Award

📅 Tuesday, June 16, 2026
🕡 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
📍 Rooms A & B, 2nd Floor
Richmond Hill Public Library – Central Branch
1 Atkinson Street, Richmond Hill

Join us for an evening of history, community, and celebration as we recognize those who help preserve Richmond Hill's story for future generations.

We can't wait to see what treasures you'll bring and to celebrate this year's Bert Hunt Heritage Award recipient!

05/30/2026

On Tuesday, May 19, members of the Society had the pleasure of welcoming Ross Toms for an engaging presentation on two important milestones: the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion and the 80th Anniversary of our local Royal Canadian Legion Branch 375.

Ross, an experienced Legion historian and Treasurer of Branch 375, shared the fascinating story of how the Legion came into being and its enduring role in supporting veterans, their families, and the broader community. Attendees also learned how these historic anniversaries are being commemorated throughout 2026.

Adding valuable local context, Ross filled in several historical gaps regarding the early years of Branch 375. As Ross explained:

"When the Branch was formed in 1945, they initially met in the old Masonic Hall just north of the United Church. Vaughan Councillor Bert Phelps attempted to donate land on May Avenue for a Legion Hall, but the proposal was cancelled after neighbours objected, fearing it would become a 'drinking resort and den of iniquity.' The Branch then met briefly at 31 Edgar Avenue before moving to temporary basement quarters at Stop 23 on Yonge Street. Their first meeting at the Carrville Road Memorial Hall was held on January 24, 1952. From there, the Branch relocated to the upstairs strip mall near Yonge and Dunlop, followed by Ohio Road (officially named the Prince Philip Centre in 1973), and finally to its current location on Centre Street in 1998."

Ross's presentation provided a remarkable glimpse into both the national significance of the Legion and the local history of Branch 375, highlighting the dedication of the veterans and volunteers who helped build and sustain this important community institution over the past eight decades.

Thank you, Ross, for sharing your knowledge, research, and passion for preserving this important piece of our local heritage.

Photos courtesy of Barbara Di Mambro and Marj Andre. Thank you for sharing them.

05/24/2026

Richmond Hill Spring Fair – A Glimpse Into a Beloved Tradition

This early image of the grandstand excitement at the Richmond Hill Spring Fair c.1900. Richmond Hill's Agricultural Spring Fair captured one of the community’s most cherished traditions. The fair, first held in 1849, became known as one of the oldest rural fairs in Ontario history.

When the Spring Fair first opened, spectators travelled great distances—many on horseback, in stagecoaches, or by wagon. The three operating stagecoaches of the time carried roughly 16 passengers each, with women in crinolines and bonnets seated inside while men rode outside in their Sunday best. Along the route from Toronto to Richmond Hill, hotels were spaced nearly one mile apart, making frequent stops inevitable. The journey also included two toll gates, one located at Langstaff.

Fair days brought intense demand for local accommodations. Liquor flowed freely, hotel dining rooms overflowed, and both inns and stables were taxed to their limits by the influx of visitors and their horses. By 1880, the crowds had grown so large—drawing attendees from as far west as London and as far east as New Brunswick and Quebec—that nearby churches began serving meals simply to keep up with demand.

A significant milestone came in 1872, when Richmond Hill received its share of the Municipal Loan Fund from the Ontario government. With these funds, the village purchased a picturesque property on the east side of Yonge Street for “park purposes”—an area still known today as Town Park. Lorne Avenue was created to provide direct access from Yonge Street to the new park.

A grandstand was constructed (seen in the photo), and the fair continued to flourish. Exhibits of sewing, crafts, and fancywork were displayed year after year—often so consistently that the same exhibitors repeatedly won the same prizes year after year. Local lore claims that a torrential rainfall once soaked the display tables, bringing an abrupt end to the long-running winning streaks.

Prize money during that era could reach as high as 50 cents—an impressive sum when sugar cost under five cents per pound and a tin of premium canned salmon sold for only 10 to 12 cents.

Image Courtesy: Richmond Hill Public Library
Historical Information Courtesy: Richmond Hill Annual Spring Fair Gala by H. G. Robertson

05/19/2026

Happening this evening, Tuesday, May 19th! Join us for a special presentation by Ross Toms as he reflects on the significance of the Royal Canadian Legion’s 100th Anniversary and our Local Branch’s 80th Anniversary.

Come learn how the Legion came into being, its vital role in supporting veterans and our community, and how these historic milestones are being celebrated in 2026.

📅 Tonight — Tuesday, May 19th, 2026
⏰ 6:30 PM mingle • 7:00 PM presentation
💲 Members Free • Guests $5
📌 Rooms AB, 2nd Floor
📍 Central Branch Richmond Hill Public Library

Ross is an experienced Legion historian and Treasurer at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 375, bringing insight and passion to this important topic.

📸 Royal Canadian Legion Branch 375 located on Ohio Rd.

More info 👉 https://rhhs.ca/meetings-events/

We look forward to seeing you tonight! 🇨🇦

The Richmond Hill Historical Society

08/21/2026

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06/17/2026

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