Ontario is home to a ‘near-abandoned’ village with history that was almost erased

Wesleyville Village is described as a “near-abandoned” heritage village, once a thriving 19th-century community. Now, thanks to volunteers and community members, it’s slowly regaining its strength.

This “near-abandoned” heritage village may be small, but its stories are mighty. It’s about an hour and a half away from Toronto, and it’s full of history.

When was the village settled?

Per The Friends of Wesleyville Village, Ontario, the village was settled in Anishinaabe territory, and Lakeshore Road was the trail used by Indigenous peoples. Recently, archaeological evidence has been found of ancient villages just north of Wesleyville.

“By 1800, the trail became the ‘King’s Road’ from York (Toronto) to Smith’s Creek (Port Hope),” reads the site. “In May 1801, the crown granted 300 acres in lot 30, Hope Township, to John Willcocks, who may have been one of the surveyors. The settlement of neighbouring properties followed soon afterward.”

And in the 1860s, this quiet farming hamlet was bustling with life. According to Port Hope Tourism, it had a school, church, post office, blacksmith shop, cobbler, and even a carpenter.

But perhaps the most intriguing tale centres on the village’s tavern. Per Port Hope Tourism, in 1964, the tavern’s owner, Tom Clark, suddenly “got religion” and poured his liquor stash into the road!

Fast forward to the late 1960s, Ontario Hydro entered the scene, with plans to build an oil-fired power plant nearby.

Why was Wesleyville almost abandoned?

According to the town’s site, both the church and school were closed in the late 1960’s, around the same time as Ontario Hydro’s acquisition.

“Gradually, the village became abandoned as properties were acquired and houses forsaken and eventually demolished by Ontario Hydro,” shares the site.

“When the Friends of Wesleyville Village was formed in 2009, only the Oughtred (or “Y”) house was occupied. After Ontario Hydro was divided into several public corporations, including Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Hydro One, ownership of the remaining village buildings transferred to OPG. The exception was the 1860 Wesley Church (still owned by the United Church of Canada) and its cemetery (managed by a local Board, and still open).​​​”

Several farmhouses fell victim to the wrecking ball, and barns disappeared over time. But that didn’t stop Wesleyville from touching the hearts of locals.

Now, thanks to the passionate efforts of the Friends of Wesleyville, a cultural revival is in full swing. The 1860 church has been lovingly restored, along with the 1899 one-room schoolhouse. Per the site, the Friends of Wesleyville Village completed the installation of electricity in the Schoolhouse and Barn—transforming them into more functional event spaces — in 2024. “With power now available, we can more easily host community events, rentals, and members’ gatherings,” they add.

There’s also a captivating nature trail and the historic Y-shaped Oughtred house to explore.

Wesleyville may have weathered the years, but it’s back, and it’s growing!

Where: Lakeshore Road West, Port Hope, Ont.

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