Brock

Brock is a township of about 12,600 people (2021) in the Durham region of the Greater Toronto Area, in Ontario.

Understand

Beaverton

The Trent-Severn Waterway forms part of the northern border of the municipality, which enters Lake Simcoe through Ramara Township. There are five locks in Brock. Thorah Island in Lake Simcoe is within the municipal boundaries of Brock.

Communities

1 Beaverton is the largest community and commercial centre of the township, while 2 Cannington is home to the municipal administration and local high school.

Beaverton is the commercial and financial centre for the township, and several stores, services and entertainment facilities are located there.

Smaller communities in the township include Ball Subdivision, Blackwater, Cedar Beach, Creightons Corners, Derryville, Gamebridge, Layton, Maple Beach, Port Bolster, Pinedale, Saginaw, Sunderland, Thorah Beach, Vallentyne, Vroomanton, Wick and Wilfrid.

History

The original Brock Township was surveyed in 1817 as part of York County and the first meetings were held in 1833. The township was named for Major General Sir Isaac Brock (1769–1812) whose estate received free land here for his service in the War of 1812. William Bagshaw became Brock's first Postmaster and Justice of the Peace in 1819 when he owned property on Lot 5 Concession 9.

Get in and around

By car

Brock can be reached by traveling east on Highway 12 from Orillia, by traveling north on Highway 12 from Whitby, or by traveling west on Highway 7 from Peterborough. Portions of Highway 7 and Highway 12 are part of branch of the Trans-Canada Highway passes through the area, traveling between Sudbury and Kanata (near Ottawa) on Highway 69 and 400, then Highway 12, then Highway 7, then Highway 417.

By bus

• Durham Region Transit. On-demand transit; service from Port Perry and Uxbridge to Cannington and Beaverton. (updated Apr 2023)

See

• 1 Old Stone Church National Historic Site, 1490 Road 15 (Simcoe Street), Beaverton (between Beaverton and Argyle). Jul-Aug, Su 2-4PM. The aesthetic appeal of this modest Presbyterian church derives mainly from its balanced proportions, the elegant simplicity of its stonework, and its finely detailed windows. Inside, the horseshoe gallery, raised pulpit, and box pews have survived virtually unchanged since the 1860s. A fine example of local craftsmanship, this is one of the few intact vernacular stone churches now remaining in Canada. Built 1840 to 1853. Congregants walked or rode long distances to hear services in Gaelic and English. Eventually the congregation moved into a new church in Beaverton, using the Old Stone Church on special occasions. In 1991, it was restored, and it is now used for weddings, funerals, a sunrise service each Easter Sunday, and for four summer services. (updated Nov 2023)
• 2 Cannington Centennial Museum, 80 Peace Street, Cannington, ☏ +1 705-432-3136. July 1-Sep 4: Sa Su 1PM-4PM or by appointment. The museum features five restored heritage buildings from Brock Township: Brandon Log Cabin, Francis Log House, Loyal Orange Lodge Hall (Derryville Hall), a Driving Shed and the Cannington Railway Station and Caboose. (updated Jun 2018)
• 3 Beaverton Thorah Eldon Historical Society Museum (Beaver River Museum), 284 Simcoe St, ☏ +1 705-426-9641. Late May to the end of Sep: Sa Su and holiday Mondays. July and Aug also Th-M. The hours are 1:30–4PM. Includes an old stone jail, an 1850 log house, and a gift shop. (updated Jun 2018)

Do

• Floyd Hales Fish Huts, 1 Harbour Park Crescent, Beaverton, ☏ +1 705-426-7415, toll-free: +1-800-363-4704, reservations@floydhalesfishhuts.com. Ice fishing for Lake Trout, Whitefish, Perch and Herring. Tracked ice buses take you out to your hut on the ice. Standard ice hut $55 for day-time use, $100 for 24 hours; ice bungalow with solar lighting for four people, 2 nights $150-180. (updated Jun 2018)

Buy

• 1 The Welder's Wife, B1420 Concession Road 4, Beaverton, ☏ +1 705-426-4641. Tu-F 10AM-4PM, Sa 9AM-noon. Reclaimed furniture pieces, primitives, barn stars, wreaths, picture frames, braided rugs, decorative flags, some antiques and unique metal designs, some of which are built on site. (updated Nov 2023)
• 2 Shirley’s Country Clutter, 330 Simcoe St, ☏ +1 705-426-1616. Tu-F 9:30AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-5PM. Gifts, home decor, clothing. (updated Jun 2018)

Eat

• 1 At the Y Restaurant & Market, 27551B Regional Rd 23, ☏ +1 705-426-2333. M-Th 11:30AM-7PM, F 11:30AM-8PM, Sa 8AM-8PM, Su 8AM-7PM. Shepherd's pie, ribs, quesadillas, etc. Mains $10-25; sandwiches, wraps and burgers $7-15. (updated Jun 2018)
• 2 Beaverton Fish and Chips, 300 Mara Rd (Beaverton), ☏ +1 705-426-7485. Tu-Th 11AM-8PM F-Su 8AM-8PM. French toast, omelettes for all-day breakfast. (updated Nov 2023)
• 3 Social Grounds Cafe, 1 Cameron St W (Cannington), ☏ +1 705-432-2929. Tu-F 6:30AM-4PM, Sa Su 8AM-3PM. Breakfast and lunch dishes. (updated Nov 2023)

Sleep

• 1 Grant House Bed & Breakfast, 447 North St (Beaverton), ☏ +1 705-426-1296, Granthouse@rogers.com. 4 rooms. Full breakfast, gluten-free, organic, vegetarian. From $185 taxes included. (updated Nov 2023)
• 2 Beaverton Motel Bar and Grill, 501 Osborne St (Beaverton), ☏ +1 705-426-4026. A scruffy motel, but the restaurant seems to be good. (updated Jun 2018)

Nearby

Sutton

• 1 Sibbald Point Provincial Park, 26071 York Rd 18, ☏ +1 905-722-8061. One of the most popular destinations for family car camping in the Greater Toronto Area, offering a variety of campsites including some with electrical connections, and radio-free areas. Day-use visitors can use the grassy picnic areas or long sandy beach for swimming. The Eildon Hall Museum contains artifacts and information about the rural lives of the Sibbald family. Winter activities include cross country skiing, snow shoeing, and ice fishing. (updated Jul 2023)

Go next

Routes through Brock

Midland ← Orillia ← ←	N  E	→ → Lindsay → Peterborough
Markham ← Scugog ←	W  E	→ Lindsay → Peterborough
Midland ← Orillia ←	N  S	→ Scugog → Whitby