Locust Hill, Ontario

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Locust Hill is an historic community of Markham, Ontario centred on Hwy. 7 and the Canadian Pacific Railway and within the boundaries of the future national Rouge Park.

Locust Hill was first settled about 1799 by Samuel Reynolds, a United Empire Loyalist from Dutchess County, New York. The hamlet, centred on lots 10 and 11, concession 10, had a general store, blacksmith shop and, in 1856, a Methodist Church as well.[1] A brick schoolhouse was built in 1864, a post office was opened in 1886, and the present church structure was built in 1890.[2]

Locust Hill only became a place of significance with the arrival of the Ontario and Quebec Railway in the 1884, linking Toronto with Peterborough. Area business leaders from Whitevale and Green River petitioned to create a railway station at Locust Hill. The hamlet and station were named after the farm of William and Esther Reesor Armstrong, where locust trees were a prominent feature.[3]

Locust Hill was one of the busiest stations on the Toronto-Perth line. Flour, brushes, livestock and milk were shipped out of Locust Hill in quantity. In 1887 an elevator and mill were built east of the station, and a co-operative creamery was built on the south side of Highway 7 in 1893. Rail service throuogh Locust Hill ceased in 1969. The old Locust Hill Station has been relocated and reconstructed at the Markham Museum and Historic Village.