Every Monday, we’ll be sharing a unique fact, memorable event, or hidden gem from Mulmur’s rich 175-year history. From remarkable local stories to milestones that shaped our community, these weekly posts are our way of celebrating the heritage that makes Mulmur such a special place to call home. Stay tuned each week as we look back, learn, and honour the history that built our present.

January 5th, 2026

On January 1st Mulmur turned 175! The story of Mulmur begins in the early 1820’s when the Township was surveyed, and lands were granted to settlers. By the 1830’s, early settlements emerged, including Mulmur Corners, Whitfield, Mansfield, Stanton and later Honeywood in 1848. On January 1, 1851 Mulmur was officially incorporated as a municipality. The minutes of Mulmur’s first council meeting on January 21, 1851 capture a notable moment in our community’s beginnings. Present as the first members of Council, Reeve Paul Gallaugher, John Cooper, James Mitchell, William Hand and David McCutcheon appointed John Little to serve as the Township’s first clerk and treasurer, marking the formal establishment of local administration. Mulmur’s history is a story of resilience, vision, and community spirit transforming a rugged landscape of trails into a thriving rural municipality with schools, libraries, and essential services.  Join us in 2026 as we celebrate Mulmur's 175th and highlight its history! 

 Photo: Minutes of the Mulmur Council First Meeting Photo Credit: Township of Mulmur

January 12th, 2026

Did you know that Mulmur’s very first tax by-law dates all the way back to 1851? By law No. 6 set the Township’s total taxation amount at forty pounds, six shillings, and nine pence—a foundational step in building the community we know today. From the very beginning, taxes played a vital role in supporting public services. In 1853, Council directed ½ penny on the pound of assessed property to purchase library books for the local school and later, $10 per school was provided to help buy maps. As Mulmur grew, so did its investments. In 1870, Council approved one of its largest expenditures to date—$300 to construct a bridge over the Boyne River on the Sixth Line (now Airport Road). This early infrastructure project supported travel, trade, and connection across the Township. Fast forward to today, and taxes continue to be a cornerstone of community building, helping to fund education, social services, police and fire, roads, recreation, and so much more. The legacy of responsible investment continues to shape the Township—just as it has for the last 175 years. 

Photo: Excerpt from John A. Love’s Township of Mulmur Abstract and Detailed Statement of Accounts for the Year 1887 Photo Credit: Township of Mulmur

Jan 19th, 2026

Did you know… up until 1881, Mulmur was part of Simcoe County? The Baldwin Act of 1849 established the foundation of modern municipal government in Ontario. At that time, Mono and Mulmur were joined together for municipal purposes under a single council within Simcoe County. The partnership didn’t last long—after just one year, Mulmur withdrew, and on January 1, 1851, it was incorporated as its own municipality. Between 1869 and 1880, discussions began about reorganizing county boundaries, including proposals to divide Simcoe County into two or to create a new county from parts of Wellington, Grey, and Simcoe. This new county would eventually become Dufferin County. Although Mulmur supported remaining part of Simcoe, the Legislative Assembly ultimately included Mulmur in the formation of Dufferin County in January 1881. As part of this reorganization, Mulmur Township had to settle its share of Simcoe County’s assets and liabilities. To do so, it issued $20,000 in debentures at 6% interest, payable over 20 years. That would be over $600,000 today! The final payment was made in 1901. 

Photo: A map of Simcoe County, ~1850 Photo Credit: Ontariogeneology.com

Jan 26th, 2026

Mulmur's Crest - Designed by Janis Steinmanis, 1984 Designed by Janis Steinmanis in 1984, the Township’s Crest is shaped as an equilateral triangle, with the "L" of the Irish print in Mulmur forming a tree. The stylized green "M" represents the hills and valleys of our Township, with the blue part under the “M” representing the Township’s streams and small lakes. The fir trees represent the forests, and the stock of grain represents the main industry of agriculture. In the clear blue sky above the “M”, we see a hawk representing the wildlife of the Township. Photo: Township Crest Photo Credit: Township of Mulmur

February 2nd, 2026

Originally known as the “Yorkshire Settlement”, much of Honeywood’s early growth can be traced to a group of young men from Yorkshire England, who in 1848, became dissatisfied with conditions in England and decided to seek opportunity in Canada. Before moving, they sent two men ahead to survey the area and choose affordable homesteads. The land they chose belonged to Mr. Wood of Toronto, who had received it as a militia grant. As the owner, he also had the right to name the settlement. According to local stories, he first tried blending his surname with his wife’s to create the name “Rosewood.” When he discovered that name was already in use elsewhere, he chose a “sweeter” alternative—combining “Wood” with “honey”—and thus Honeywood became the name of the settlement. The early settlers cleared dense forests to create rich farmland. Community life centred around an early log schoolhouse/church built in 1856 on what is now the grounds of the Honeywood Cemetery. Businesses flourished to include a post office, general store, a tailor, blacksmith, and more. Honeywood became known for its strong community spirit, with families like Broderick, Foster, Siddall, and Tupling tracing their roots back to its founding. Today, Honeywood remains a vibrant rural community, proud of its heritage and deeply connected to the pioneering families who shaped its history.

Photo: Postcard, Honeywood Street Scene, Mulmur, 1909 Photo Credit: Museum of Dufferin - MoD # P-0138 A