The History Of Haydon

(Copied from the Histories & Recipes of Haydon, Ontario 1982)
The Hamlet of Haydon was originally registered as the Village of Charlesville in 1855. The reason for the name change and the significance of either name is not 'clearly' known. Concession 8 was once known as Charles Street. The early history of Haydon began with a crown grant of 200 acres to a Joseph Winters in 1802 (Lot 14, Conc.8) and continued with slow growth until latter half of the century.

A tributary of the Bowmanville Creek greatly influenced the hamlet's growth and supported numerous mills, the first of which was the "Haydon Mill", (a grist and saw mill) built by Charles Bates of the 8th Company, Darlington Regiment in 1847. He built the mill some two years after he planned and laid out the village. It would seem that this mill named "Haydon Mill" later lent it's name to the hamlet.

By 1900 flax, grist, flour and lumber mills were working the stream. Growth of the hamlet was also supported by lumbering of virgin pine forests in the area with lumberjacks supporting such local commerce as the Haydon Hotel and Tavern. The natural prosperity of the hamlet weakened with the receding forests, a lack of proximity to major travelled routes and the decline of the stream based industries.

A partial listing of trades and services located within the hamlet around 1900, indicates the relative prosperity enjoyed by the residents at that time:
flour mills
saw mill
flax mill
hotel
cobbler
tavern
carriage shop
weaver
cooper
tobacconist
blacksmith
general store
school house
Methodist Church
Baptist Church
many farmers and
labourers

Haydon today is quite different from what it once was. Gone is the hustle and bustle that made her history. Now is a quiet hamlet. Some of her residents are descendants of those original settlers. We still have farmers and labourers, and boast of Graham's Garage ( one of Canada's few Studebaker dealers) and enjoy Haydon Auction Hall -in the old Church shed - well known throughout the area, and of course there is Club 21, whose loyal group of gents and ladies provide a sense of community and drawing together in good will.