Durham in Grey County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Founding of Durham

Photo courtesy Municipality of West Grey - Durham & District Community Centre (with permission), December 17, 2025

1. Founding of Durham - Marker

Inscription. In 1842 Archibald Hunter, a Scottish immigrant, led a party northward on the Garafraxa "colonization road" to the banks of the Saugeen River. The resulting settlement was first called Bentinck and later Durham, probably to honour the English birthplace of George Jackson, the first local Crown Land Agent. The establishment of flour and grist-mills in 1847 made the town the major agricultural centre of the district. The Durham Road, another settlement route, was constructed through the town in 1849. Further growth followed, churches were founded, a school organized, and a newspaper, the Chronicle, was established in 1857. By an Act. passed in 1872, the Ontario legislature incorporated Durham as a town.

Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board, Department of Public Records and Archives of Ontario.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.

Location. 44° 10.395′ N, 80° 49.488′ W. Marker is in Durham, Ontario, in Grey County. It is on Saddler Street West, on

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the right when traveling east. Marker is 40 m S of road, at north-west corner of the building, Durham Community Centre and Arena. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 451 Saddler Street W, Durham ON N0G 1R0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgian Bay Country

and in Southwestern Ontario.

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 26 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: “Tommy Burns” (approx. 16.2 kilometers away); Daniel Knechtel 1843 - 1936 (approx. 16.2 kilometers away); The Founding of Hanover / La Fondation de Hanover (approx. 16.2 kilometers away); Hanover Cenotaph (approx. 16.3 kilometers away); The Rt. Hon. John G. Diefenbaker (approx. 17.5 kilometers away); The Founding of Clifford (approx. 25.8 kilometers away); Mansion House (approx. 25.8 kilometers

Founding of Durham - Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photo courtesy Municipality of West Grey - Durham & District Community Centre (with permission), December 17, 2025

2. Founding of Durham - Marker in context

Marker is in a tiny triangle garden area at the north-west corner of the building, beside a west-facing entrance door.

away); 2 Elora Street (approx. 25.8 kilometers away).

More about this marker. 1. For clarity: both these Durhams are in southern Ontario:
- this marker is in the tiny community (and historical town) of Durham, part of the Municipality of West Grey, in Grey County, 100 km NW of Toronto
- there is also a large Durham Region, just east (adjacent to) Toronto and York Region
2. Before 2010, the plaque was previously located on the grounds of the town hall, 137 Garafraxa Street North, Durham.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 23, 2026, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 30 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 23, 2026, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario.