Brock is a township of about 11,500 people (2016) in the Durham region of the Greater Toronto Area, in Ontario.
Understand
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
Beaverton is the largest community and commercial centre of the township, while 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
GO Transit runs three buses a day from the Whitby train station along Highway 12 through Cannington (1hr 22min) to Beaverton (1hr 35min). GO offers many trains each day from Toronto to Whitby (51 min). Fare from Toronto to Cannington is $18-24, and to Beaverton is $29-38 (June 2018).
There is no other public transit in Brock.
See
- Old Stone Church National Historic Site, 1490 Road 15 (Simcoe Street), Beaverton (between Beaverton and Argyle). Su 2PM-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.
- 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.
- Beaverton Thorah Eldon Historical Society 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.
Do
- Floyd Hales Fish Huts, 1 Harbour Park Crescent, Beaverton, ☏ 1 705-426-7415, toll-free: 1-800-363-4704, ✉[email protected]. 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.
Buy
- The Welder's Wife, B1420 Concession Road 4, Beaverton, ☏ 1 705-426-4641. M-F 10AM-4:30PM, 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.
- Shirley’s Country Clutter, 330 Simcoe St, ☏ 1 705-426-1616. Tu-F 9:30AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-5PM. Gifts, home decor, clothing.
Eat
- Cedar Point Market Restaurant, 27551B Regional Rd 23, ☏ 1 705-426-2333. Su-Th 11:30AM-8PM, F Sa 11:30AM-9PM. Shepherd's pie, ribs, quesadillas, etc. Mains $10-25; sandwiches, wraps and burgers $7-15.
- Beaverton Fish and Chips, 300 Mara Rd, Beaverton, ☏ 1 705-426-7485. M 8AM-3PM, Tu-Su 8AM-8PM. French toast, omelettes for breakfast.
- Giorgio's Restaurant, 15 Cameron Street East, Cannington, ☏ 1 705-432-8070. Daily 7AM-8PM. Greek mom-and-pop type of restaurant.
- Holy Grounds Cafe Heavenly Coffee, 1 Cameron St. West, Cannington, ☏ 1 705-432-2929. M-Sa 7AM-3PM, Su 8AM-3PM. Homemade food. Coffee is freshly roasted, organic and fair trade.
Drink
- The Locker Sports Bar & Grill, 14 Cameron St W, Cannington, ☏ 1 705-432-3200. Bar hours: M-W 11:30AM-10PM, Th 11:30AM-midnight, F Sa 11AM-midnight, Su 11AM-10PM; kitchen closes 30-60 min earlier. Sandwiches $13-15, burgers $11-15, pizzas $13, mains $13-18.
Sleep
- Grant House Bed & Breakfast, 447 North St., Beaverton, ☏ 1 705-426-1296, ✉[email protected]. 4 rooms. Full breakfast, gluten-free, organic, vegetarian. From $110 taxes included..
- Beaverton Motel Bar and Grill, 501 Osborne Street, Beaverton, ☏ 1 705-426-4026, ✉[email protected]. A scruffy motel, but the restaurant seems to be good.
Go next
| Routes through Brock |
Midland ← Orillia ← Merges with  ← | N  E | → Merges with  → Lindsay → Peterborough |
| Markham ← Scugog ← | W  E | → Lindsay → Peterborough |
| Midland ← Orillia ← | N  S | → Scugog → Whitby |