Hawkestone, Ontario
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Hawkestone is a small village in the Southern Ontario Township of Oro-Medonte, formerly known as Hodges' Landing
First Nations had long established encampments and trails on the bank of Hawkestone Creek, Ridge Road and throughout the Township of Oro-Medonte. In the 1830s Richard Hodges established a landing for steelers, mainly from the British Isles, who after arriving by lake steamer, on Lake Simcoe, followed these trails to their settlement in search of independence and land ownership.
Hodges' wharf where the steamer docked, and his large house called St. Helen's (1844) were the focus of activity. There remains evidence of two underground tunnels from the lake to Hodges' cellar and a hidden stair case from the cellar to the top floor. Some children who died on route to their parents' settlement were buried on the property. In 1940, the property was sold by Hodges' granddaughter for $2500 to the Canadian Council for Girl Guides.
A thriving community of a tavern, hotel, store and the first post office was located near the lake east of the creek. The first postmaster was Charles Bell. Two dams and 3 mills sawed logs and ground grains. It is thought that the first mill was established by John Williamson who subsequently built the large brick house on the North-East corner of the Ridge Road and Line #11 South. In 1856 a new wharf was constructed and the name was changed from Hodges' Landing to Hawkestone.
During 1871 the railroad reached Hawkestone. An extensive "station" evolved with a freight shed, stockyards and a massive water tower to supply the requirements of the steam locomotives. Many types of products were shipped out and supplies shipped in. The last Canadian National train passed through in September 1996. In 1998 the railway land through the Township was acquired by Council for a shared-use recreational trail stretching from The City of Barrie to the City of Orillia, sections are used in the winter season by the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs.
After the railway went through Hawkestone, the village developed north of the station. It was made up of numerous taverns, hotels, stores (including Priddle's Store and T.A. Stone's Store which survives today as the Hawkestone General Store), gas stations, ice houses, weigh scales, 2 banks, a fire hall also known as Metcalfe's Hall, and a complement of trades - tailor, harness maker and blacksmith. During this period the hub of activities in Hawkestone shifted from the lake front to the rail front as a result of change in modes of transportation.
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