Did you know... that Dufferin County was founded in 1881. The county was formed from the outer townships of Grey, Simcoe, and Wellington Counties. Not everyone chose to join right away; East Luther was amalgamated into Dufferin County in 1883. It was almost named Hurontario County, but in the end was named after former Governor General of Canada Frederick Hamilton-Temple-Blackwood a.k.a. Lord Dufferin.

Did you know... Grand Valley passed a by law in 1916 that listed 25 prohibitions of practices and behaviors within a public space. It contains some typical regulations pertaining to vandalism, racing and firearms. However, there are a few unusual additions such as no spitting, no public bathing between 6am-9pm, no combat sport matches with fees unless there is a permit, no playing catch or throwing snowballs in the streets, and no interacting with a disorderly household. All violators of the by law would be fined $50. It is unknown if the by-law has since been superseded.

Did you know... Bert Sells and his pregnant wife Selina Keedy were brought to Dufferin County Gaol in 1909. As they were incarcerated and were awaiting their charges, Selina went into labour. With the help of the Jail Surgeon, the baby was born. Several days later, the baby was baptized and named Mitchell Dryden Sime Sells by the Council after the officials he met during his time in jail. However, his legal name was John Henry Sells.

Did you know... Before the Crown officially opened each section of Upper Canada for settlement, surveyors were sent out to define Township limits and to establish ‘lots and concessions'. Melancthon Township was surveyed in two parts. The original survey was conducted by surveyor Hugh Black in 1825 with a revised survey by Charles Rankin, P.L.S. in 1830. This “Old Survey” comprises the first four concessions of the Township and is outlined in black on the map.

In 1848 the government ordered Charles Rankin, P.L.S., to survey a road from Melancthon Township to Sydenham (Owen Sound) which would attract settlers and provide a more direct connection between Sydenham (Owen Sound) and Toronto. The Rankin or “New Survey” followed the Toronto-Sydenham Road, also called the Gravel Road, and was surveyed in 100 acre rectangular lots. It is outlined in red on the map.

Those lots directly along the Toronto-Sydenham Road and a couple of concessions back on either side were surveyed in “string 50’s” or rectangular 50 acre lots. To encourage settlement along the road, these lots were given as free grants to persons fulfilling the required settlement duties.

Did you know... In 1879, the Orangeville Sun wrote an article listing practices that could bring on sudden death, such as going to bed at midnight and waking up at noon, or sleeping on a feather mattress in a 7x9 room.

Did you know... The hotels on Broadway used to line the south side of Broadway, mostly to make the hotels more accessible for travelers coming from the train station. The hotels were popular places for travelers to rest on their journeys and gather in the tavern. In the 1870s, it was considered improper for women to enter facilities that served alcohol. Due to this, women tended to avoid the south side of Broadway.

1. Village of Bowling Green: One day, a man who was making merry smashed a bottle on the ground and proclaimed, “God Bless the Queen Victoria, I name the place Bowling Green!”

2. East Luther and Melancthon Townships: In 1854, the Township was being surveyed. Due to it being swampy, it was difficult for the surveyor to navigate. He named the land after Martin Luther and Philip Melanchthon due to the difficult to navigate politics of the time.

3. Mono Township: Although the true origin of the name is murky, one theory is that it was named in honour of Lieutenant Governor Sir Peregrine Maitland’s love for the Spanish language, thus naming the township ‘Mono’ which is derived from the Spanish word for monkey or attractive.

4. Village of Marsville: Due to two families fighting over whom the town should be named after, it was decided that Mars, the god of war, would be the namesake.

5. Village of Stanton: Two early settler families felt the village should be named after them, as the founding families. The Hand family wanted to name it "Handville". The Walkers felt it should be named "Walkerville". A judge stepped in to keep the peace and named the village Stanton.