Glen Major (semi-ghost town)

Glen Major is located on Conc 7 (Balsam Rd.) just north of the village of Balsam just inside the Township of Uxbridge. This quaint mill village sits in the most picturesque section of the Oak Ridges Moraine. It had 3 mills (2 saw and one grist), a post office, a train station, a general store, 2 schools, an anglers club (still standing) and a Wesleyan Methodist Church (built 1873). Only the last 4 remain. It is situated at the headwaters of Duffins Creek.

Settlers included names like: Major, Williams, Weir, Balls, Harbron, Lawrence, Stouffer and Jones. It is a semi-ghost town as the village is still partly occupied, though without any industry. Of course, every village in the 1800(a)s had industry as travelling great distance was not a good option and everything was pretty much done in town. Unlike today, where we have commercial zoning, back then everywhere was commercial.

One story in the village(a)s past recounts the demise of William Beverley. He owned property in the area and was found dead in the burnt ruins of his house. Reports indicated that the fire may have been accidental, but an aura of mystery still existed after the fact.

The last postmaster was W. Fiss in 1911. Soon after, rural route mail delivery came to the area.

Enjoy the new vintage photos of the anglers club and the train station.