Greater Keswick, Sutton and Georgina - On the Southwest shore of Beautiful Lake Simcoe.

Town of Georgina Information

The Greater Keswick and Georgina area provides the perfect setting for raising a family. A beautiful lake, spectacular scenery surrounded by acres of farmland and safe, quiet neighbourhoods are all waiting for you in Georgina.

Once a small village and seasonal cottage destination, it is now one of Southern Ontario's sought after bedroom communities. Its proximity to the city, affordable housing and year-round recreation are all major factors that have contributed to its growth.

Each neighbourhood offers a wide variety of homes, from first time buyers to family homes to country settings and lakefront estates. Whether you're starting out or winding down, this diverse area has something for everyone in every price range to suit every buyer.

About our Town

The Town of Georgina is made up of several hamlets including:
- Keswick
- Sutton
- Jackson's Point
- Pefferlaw
- Willow Beach
- Port Bolster
- Udora

Community Profile

Live, work, and play in Georgina... Located in "Getaway Country" in central Ontario on the south-eastern shores of Lake Simcoe, at the top of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), in northern York Region. The Town is graced with lakeside living, wide open spaces, and scattered sandy beaches.

Georgina's towns are sheltered along Lake Simcoe's south-eastern shores. This large, clean lake is famous for its boating and its annual Ice Fishing Derby, giving Lake Simcoe its title of "Ice Fishing Capital of Canada".

Georgina offers a number of year round activities in a variety of recreational facilities, including our many impressive public parks, beaches, forested areas, and conservation areas, such as the Duclos Point Nature Reserve, Sibbald Point Provincial Park, Keswick Marsh Fish and Bird Sanctuary, museums, craft and music festivals, the historic Red Barn Theatre and the Stephen Leacock Theatre. 
 
School Information

As part of York Region School Board, Georgina has a thriving education system, second to none in Canada. 

York Region School Board Mission Statement:  We unite in our purpose to inspire and prepare learners for life in our changing world community.

Vision: We are the faces of public education. We understand our gifts and challenges. We are motivated by our dreams and act towards their fulfillment. We respect and celebrate our differences. We invite and value the spirit of community.

Leisure Activities for the Whole Family..available in our Community

* Children's Theatres
* Leisure Art Centre - Classes and Workshops
* Multi-Purpose Recreation Park
* New Children Playgroups

Historic Information

KESWICK
Once known as Medina, Keswick is the largest urban community within the Town of Georgina. Originally a village within the former Township of North Gwillimbury before being amalgamated with the Township of Georgina and Village of Sutton to form the Town of Georgina. Keswick remains unique to this day as a commuter homestead; with a number of shopping areas and attractions snaking along the lakeshore and nearby agricultural areas.

Public and private beaches and marinas are also scattered throughout the area. The south-western portion of Keswick is known as the Keswick Marsh, part of the World Famous Holland Marsh.

SUTTON
The quaint, but thriving Village of Sutton reflects the rich history of Georgina. Like many settlements in Ontario, industry was the driving force behind the Village's origin. The site was first a dam, impeding the flow of Black River three miles in from Lake Simcoe.

It was named Bouchier Mills after the pioneer who built the dam in 1831. The settlement gradually grew with the addition of a gristmill and a general store. Soon the Village added a Post Office (the first in Georgina) and a schoolhouse, which also served as a house of worship until 1858 and as a Town Hall until the mid-1850's.

In 1864, after more growth including the building of St. James Anglican Church, the Village's name was changed from Bouchier Mills to Sutton.

Today Sutton is a modern, lively community, with proud roots that are still reflected in the charming character of this "Upper Canadian" village. Closer to the beaches of Lake Simcoe, Sutton joins the Community of Jackson's Point, a very popular destination for both local and out-of-town visitors.

The Sibbald Point Provincial Park boasts over 3000 feet of prime lakeshore and offers visitors private and group campsites. Sibbald Point Provincial Park is open from May to October each season.

PEFFERLAW
Captain William Johnson, a retired naval officer from Scotland settled in Pefferlaw in 1819. Johnson chose the name Pefferlaw after a field on the old Homestead - it means "a beautiful greensward". Retirement soon turned to industry, as Captain Johnson built a sawmill, woollen mill and gristmill in the recently settled area.
 
With the help of his brother Robert, Captain Johnson built the first Pefferlaw store in 1833. Although many of the original buildings have since been replaced, reminders of Pefferlaw's historic past are clearly evident today.
 
North of Pefferlaw, overlooking the beach communities of Virginia Beach and Duclos Point is Georgina Island, the largest island in Lake Simcoe which covers an area of 1416 hectares with some of the most beautiful untouched shorelines on the lake. Georgina Island, along with Fox Island and Snake Island located in Cooks Bay form the home of the Chippawa First Nation of Georgina. During the summer, a Band-owned 24 passenger ferry provides transportation service to the residents and visitors.

JACKSON'S POINT
Jackson's Point has naval origins. The original land grant was made to navy Captain William Bouchier in 1819.

John Mills Jackson, for whom the area is named, settled the land, which was used first as a wharf facility for schooners travelling Lake Simcoe.

Transportation to the area improved, with the use of steamers and in 1877 the railroads, this allowed seasonal residents to begin settling the area. Today the Jackson's Pont harbour overlooks the waters of Lake Simcoe serving the needs of the recreational boaters.

With the addition of small boutiques, street vendors and live music, summer in Jackson's Point is a focal point for both residents and visitors to the Georgina area.