Acton in Halton Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Acton
Photographed by Tim Boyd, August 5, 2025
1. Acton Marker
Inscription.
Methodist preachers Ezra and Zenas Adams and their brother Rufus settled on the west branch of the Credit River in the 1820s. A community of pioneer families grew around the Adams family farms. Nicklin's saw and grist mill and Nelles' tannery operated here by the early 1840s. They were the nucleus of a hamlet first named Danville, then Adamsville after its first settlers and, by 1844. Acton. In 1856 the Grand Trunk Railway arrived, stimulating growth east along Mill Street from the river to the railway station. By 1869 Acton had some 700 inhabitants and boasted woodworking mills, tanneries, glove makers and a carriage works. It was incorporated as a village on January 6,1874.,
Methodist preachers Ezra and Zenas Adams and their brother
Rufus settled on the west branch of the Credit River in the
1820s. A community of pioneer families grew around the Adams
family farms. Nicklin's saw and grist mill and Nelles' tannery operated here by the early 1840s. They were the nucleus of a hamlet first named Danville, then Adamsville after its first settlers and, by 1844. Acton. In 1856 the Grand Trunk Railway arrived, stimulating growth east along Mill Street from the river to the railway station. By 1869 Acton had some 700 inhabitants and boasted woodworking mills, tanneries, glove makers and a carriage works. It was incorporated as a village on January 6,1874.
Dans les années 1820. Ezra et Zenas Adams, pasteurs
méthodistes, et leur frère Rufus s'établissent près du
bras ouest de la Credit. Peu à peu des familles de
pionniers se fixent autour des fermes de la famille Adams.
Au début des années 1840. s'ouvrent la scierie et le
moulin de Nicklin, la tannerie de Nelles, qui constituent
le noyau du hameau appelé d'abord Danville, puis Adamsville, du nom des premiers pionniers et, en 1844, Acton. En 1856 la compagnie ferroviaire du Grand Trunk stimule la croissance vers l'est, le long de la rue Mill, de la rivière à la gare. En 1869, Acton comptait 700 habitants et possédait des menuiseries, des tanneries, des ganteries et une usine de construction de hippomobiles à cheval. Acton est incorporé comme village le 6 janvier 1874.
Erected by Ontario
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Heritage Foundation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 6, 1874.
Location. 43° 37.9′ N, 80° 2.627′ W. Marker is in Acton, Ontario, in Halton Region. It is at the intersection of Main Street North (Highway 70 and River Street, on the right when traveling north on Main Street North (Highway 70. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 65 ON-7, Acton ON L7J 1C2, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Toronto, specifically on the Golden Horseshoe, in the Hamilton-Halton-Brant Area, and specifically in the Toronto Metropolitan Area. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this
Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 85 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 7, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
![Acton Marker [français] image. Click for full size.](Photos8/888/Photo888056.jpg?87202545000PM "Acton Marker [français]. Click for full size.")
