Established in 1909, Thornloe is a Northern Ontario community shaped by agriculture, resourcefulness and generations of people who have called this place home.

A small village with deep roots.

KM²

Municipal area

6.59

Population

established

1909

More than a century later, Thornloe remains proudly rural. Agriculture continues to shape the landscape, while local businesses, families and community organizations carry forward the independent spirit the village was built on.

Small in size, certainly. But never short on character.

Now

Thornloe was officially incorporated as a village in 1909, growing alongside the farms, families and industries that helped shape Northern Ontario's Temiskaming region.

What began as a small rural settlement became a community with an identity all its own.

Then

The Thornloe Cheese Factory put Thornloe on the Map! Since 1940 Thornloe Cheese had produced a
respected brand of award-winning cheese and butter products in Fresh milk was
utilized from neighbouring farms all within a 25KM footprint in this
, current owners of the Thornloe Cheese brand since 2019, decided to shutter the business after
83 years of production in 2023, [4][5] citing it too costly to upgrade to current standards. [6]
A local community initiative began - “Save Thornloe Cheese” and continues to be supported by the
Municipality of Thornloe. Facebook

Northern agriculture region

Unique

Scattered bush fires, driven together by strong winds, spread across 18 townships from Englehart to Cobalt. Thornloe was almost completely destroyed, with only one old log house left standing.

Thornloe was incorporated in 1916

See Gallery

Gay Lea

1957

unique Northern agricultural regian

Northern Ontario

1916

1893

The Thornloe Community Hall was built at 10 Main Street in 1980 and has been a pillar of community life ever since.

Today, the hall is being updated to continue serving the people of Thornloe, creating a space where the community can gather, celebrate and grow for generations to come.

1940-1950

1980

1922

Control of the Farmers’ Co-operative shifted, leading to the gradual closure of several departments. Poultry processing, egg grading, and potato and vegetable storage were among the first to go.

Grain and grass seed sales began to decline, followed by a decrease in cattle shipments, marking a significant shift in Thornloe’s agricultural economy.

The Ferguson Highway was completed and its opening was celebrated with a motorcade travelling from Temiskaming to Queen’s Park in Toronto. The new highway brought greater road access to the region and contributed to a decline in rail traffic.

The Little Clay Belt entered a golden age of agriculture, with dairy farming, cattle, lambs and crop production thriving throughout the region. Blueberries were also harvested, while seed grains such as oats, barley and peas were shipped weekly to the Toronto Stockyards.

1947 — The Sacred Heart of Mary Church, affectionately known as “The Old Abbey,” was built in Thornloe.

1952 — Growing Community, Growing Needs**
Thornloe’s population was growing rapidly, and new schools had to be built to accommodate the overflowing classrooms. An ice rink and tennis court were also built, providing new spaces for community recreation.

1937 — Farmers’ Co-operative Movement
The Farmers’ Co-operative Movement was established, reflecting the growing importance of agriculture and co-operation within the community.

1938 — Thornloe Cheese Factory
The Thornloe Cheese Factory was built, becoming an important part of the local agricultural and dairy industry.

1937

1927

1900-1910

Oct 10 th Crown Land Agent, John Armstrong, assessed the district reporting that tomatoes and potatoes had not been injured by frost and that anything could be grown here.

Scattered bush fires, driven together by strong winds, spread across 18 townships from Englehart to Cobalt. Thornloe was almost completely destroyed, with only one old log house left standing.

Thornloe was incorporated

1907 – A daily stagecoach service ran from Earlton to Montreal River, travelling along what was known as “Old No. 46.”

1908 – The Thornloe Train Station was built, connecting the community to the growing railway network.

1909-1910 - Records from the time show that, in addition to saw logs, one million railway ties and 40,000 telegraph poles were purchased from the surrounding area.

1900 -The first sawmill was built in Thornloe to serve the booming lumber industry.

1904 - Our village got its name, Thornloe, from the Bishop of Algoma, who came to New Liskeard in 1899 and was the first to use the name.

When New Liskeard was later surveyed by Mr. Paget, he suggested naming the town after his hometown of Liskeard, England. When New Liskeard was incorporated in 1904, the name Thornloe was given up.

Robert Brittain then chose Thornloe as the name for the district’s third post office. Millberta was the first, followed by Couttsville.