Photograph of Elder's Mills Postmaster David Elder and Wife, ca. 1890
Elder’s Mills was a farming community located roughly five kilometers north of Highway 7. It stretched east and west of Highway 26 and the Humber River. The first settlers arrived in the community between 1830 and 1840 and belonged to the Jeffrey, McClure, Larie, Fleming, Burton, Somerville and King families.
The name of the village derives in part from the three mills (a sawmill, a grist mill and a card mill) that were established by James Gibb Thomson, on Lot 16, Concession 8 (present day lands northeast of Rutherford Road and Highway 7). The mills were later sold to Mr. McLeod, then William Taylor, followed by David and James Elder (William Taylor’s nephews), and eventually George Elder (David Elder’s son). These latter Elders contributed the first part of the village’s name. George Elder operated the mills until 1919.
In the 1840’s there were two additional events which were crucial to the development of the community. In 1842, a log school was constructed, which continued to be used until 1872 and a Presbyterian Church was founded across from the school in 1845. These buildings were essential to the growth of the social life of Elder’s Mills.
City of Vaughan Archives: MG 45
Photograph of Elder's Mills Postmaster David Elder and Wife, ca. 1890
Elder’s Mills was a farming community located roughly five kilometers north of Highway 7. It stretched east and west of Highway 26 and the Humber River. The first settlers arrived in the community between 1830 and 1840 and belonged to the Jeffrey, McClure, Larie, Fleming, Burton, Somerville and King families.
The name of the village derives in part from the three mills (a sawmill, a grist mill and a card mill) that were established by James Gibb Thomson, on Lot 16, Concession 8 (present day lands northeast of Rutherford Road and Highway 7). The mills were later sold to Mr. McLeod, then William Taylor, followed by David and James Elder (William Taylor’s nephews), and eventually George Elder (David Elder’s son). These latter Elders contributed the first part of the village’s name. George Elder operated the mills until 1919.
In the 1840’s there were two additional events which were crucial to the development of the community. In 1842, a log school was constructed, which continued to be used until 1872 and a Presbyterian Church was founded across from the school in 1845. These buildings were essential to the growth of the social life of Elder’s Mills.
City of Vaughan Archives: MG 45