Brock, Ontario facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brock
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Township (lower-tier)
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| Township of Brock | ||
Beaverton
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 Brock
Location in Regional Municipality of Durham
Brock
Location in Southern Ontario
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| Country | Canada | |
| Province | Ontario | |
| Region | Durham | |
| Incorporated | 1974 | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 423.73 km2 (163.60 sq mi) | |
| Population
(2016)
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| • Total | 11,642 | |
| • Density | 27.4750/km2 (71.160/sq mi) | |
| Website | www.townshipofbrock.ca | |
Brock is a township located in the Regional Municipality of Durham, Ontario, Canada. A township is a type of local government area. Before it became the township we know today, Brock was an older municipality and a geographic area.
The Trent–Severn Waterway, a famous canal system, forms part of Brock's northern border. This waterway flows into Lake Simcoe nearby. There are five locks from the waterway located within Brock. Thorah Island in Lake Simcoe is also part of Brock Township.
Contents
A Look Back: Brock's History
The original Brock Township was first mapped out in 1817. It was part of York County at that time. The first official meetings for the township were held in 1833.
The township got its name from Major General Sir Isaac Brock. He was a hero in the War of 1812. His family received free land here because of his service. Some of the very first families to settle here included names like Acton, Charters, and Bagshaw. William Bagshaw became Brock's first Postmaster in 1819.
In 1852, Brock Township became part of the new Ontario County. Later, in 1878, Cannington became its own village. This meant it was no longer part of the township for local government.
A big change happened in 1974. Brock Township joined with Thorah Township and the villages of Beaverton and Cannington. Together, they formed the new, larger Township of Brock we know today. This was part of a plan to reorganize local governments in the Regional Municipality of Durham.
Exploring Brock's Communities
Brock Township is home to several communities, each with its own character.
Beaverton is the largest community in the township. It's the main place for shopping and services. You'll find many stores, services, and places for fun there. Big chain stores like McDonald's and Tim Hortons are located along Highway 12.
Cannington is another important community. It's where the main township offices are located. The local high school is also in Cannington.
Smaller communities throughout 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
- Wilfrid
Population Facts
In 2021, Brock Township had a population of 12,567 people. This was a small increase from its population of 11,642 in 2016. The township covers an area of about 422.64 square kilometers.
Most people in Brock Township speak English as their first language. In fact, about 94% of residents speak English. This is one of the highest percentages in the Greater Toronto Area. The people living in Brock are generally a bit older than the average for Ontario. The median age in Brock is 46.5 years, while the provincial average is 41.3 years.
| Historical populations | ||
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| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1991 | 11,057 | — |
| 1996 | 11,705 | +5.9% |
| 2001 | 12,110 | +3.5% |
| 2006 | 11,979 | −1.1% |
| 2011 | 11,341 | −5.3% |
| 2016 | 11,642 | +2.7% |
Famous Faces from Brock
Some notable people have connections to Brock Township:
- George Arthur Welsh – a decorated flying ace hero from World War I and World War II.
- Duncan Macpherson – a well-known editorial cartoonist.
- Basil McRae – a former player in the National Hockey League (NHL).
- Hugh Livingstone Macneil – a pioneer in southern California, born in Wick.
