Communities The primary population centres are Thornbury and the modern resort-style communities clustered around the foot of the escarpment near the ski resorts, commonly referred to as
Blue Mountain Village. Additionally the town's territory also includes the rural communities of Banks, Camperdown, Castle Glen Estates, Christie Beach, Clarksburg, Craigleith, Duncan, Gibraltar, Swiss Meadows, Heathcote, Kolapore, Little Germany, Lora Bay, Loree, Ravenna, Red Wing, Slabtown, and Victoria Corners.
Thornbury Thornbury was first incorporated in 1831 and divided from Collingwood Township in 1887 as a separate administration. It existed as a separate municipality until 1998 when it remerged with Collingwood Township to form Town of The Blue Mountains municipality. The town was a shipping and processing centre for local agricultural produce especially apples through its harbour on Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. There was also a small fishing fleet that operated from the harbour and the post office dates from 1854. Rail service reached Thornbury on September 2, 1872, when the
Northern Railway of Canada's
North Grey Railway was built westward through Grey County from Collingwood to Meaford; the line reached Meaford later that year, in December. The line was originally planned to extend all the way to Owen Sound, but this vision went unrealized due to factors such as terrain, financial limitations, and competition from the
Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway, which reached Owen Sound in 1873. The railway was later part of the
Grand Trunk Railway and
Canadian National Railways (CNR) systems. Thereafter, it became known as the CN Meaford Subdivision. Regular passenger service ceased in 1960; the line itself was abandoned in 1985. Thornbury is home to the architecturally unique L.E. Shore Memorial Library, built in 1995 and named after the founding partner of the architectural practice of
Shore Tilbe Irwin + Partners who designed it. In more recent years, Thornbury has become a winter and summer destination for individuals from across Ontario to vacation. The town also holds an annual Canada Day celebration that takes place on the main street.
Climate == Demographics ==