Deseronto in Hastings County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Founding of Deseronto

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 30, 2026

1. The Founding of Deseronto Marker

Inscription. Led by Deserontyun (Captain John), a group of Mohawks, supporters of the British during the American Revolution, in 1784 became this areas first settlers. Lands to the east of the Mohawks reserve were patented by John Culbertson in 1837. He began selling village lots in his tract in 1840. Culbertson registered a survey for a village, "Deseronca”, in 1850, although the settlement was called “Mill Point" 1850-81. After 1855 Hugo B. Rathbun acquired many village properties and built one of the provinces earliest "company towns" here to house employees of his shipyard and sawmill. A county by-law of 1871 provided for the incorporation of Mill Point as a Village It was renamed "Deseronto” in 1881, and became a Town in 1889.

Erected by Ontario Archeological and Historic Sites Board.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1784.

Location. 44° 11.503′ N, 77° 3.322′ W. Marker is in Deseronto, Ontario,

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in Hastings County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Pearl Street, on the right when traveling east on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 167 Main St, Deseronto ON K0K 1X0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Eastern Ontario

and specifically in Southeastern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Captain George Fraser Kerr, V.C., M.C., M.M. (a few steps from this marker); Deseronto Industries (a few steps from this marker); James Kenney, 1884-1946 (approx. 8 kilometers away); Sir Rodmond P. Roblin 1853-1937 (approx. 8.5 kilometers away); Nelson International Raceway (approx. 9.2 kilometers away); Hay Bay Church (approx. 10.4 kilometers away); Old Hay Bay Church / La vielle église de la Baie Hay

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 30, 2026

2. The Founding of Deseronto Marker

(approx. 10.4 kilometers away); The Quakers of Adolphustown (approx. 10.7 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Deseronto.

The Tyendinaga Mohawk Reserve and the town of Deseronto in 1895 image. Click for full size.

3. The Tyendinaga Mohawk Reserve and the town of Deseronto in 1895

Hastings County Archives (public domain)

Photographed by Tim Boyd, July 30, 2026

4. The Founding of Deseronto Marker

The marker on the left

Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 10, 2026, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.