Horning's Mills
Text from the plaque
In 1830 Lewis Horning, a successful settler from the Hamilton area, located in this vicinity with his family. He cleared 32 ha of land and built a sawmill, grist-mill and frame house, but later returned to Hamilton. With the opening of a government road through the district in 1848, the few families who had settled near Horning were joined by others and a post office was opened in 1851. The locality's excellent water power attracted industry and by the closing decades of the century the village boasted six or seven mills, various tradesmen and shopkeepers, a public school, three churches and approximately 350 inhabitants. Horning's Mills was an important pioneer settlement in this region of Ontario.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The County of Dufferin
The Township of Melancthon
In Horning's Mills, in front of a church
on the north side of River Road east of Main Street
Also recorded for this place: The County of Dufferin
N 44 09.240 W 80 12.251
Recorded July 2004. Check current access before visiting.
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Visitors' notes
April 13, 2014
Hello. My husband, Ralph Kitchen, is a descendant of the Kitchen family who lived in or near Horning's Mills. His father, Robert George Kitchen was born at Horning's Mills in June of 1907. Robert's parents were George Miller Kitchen and Annie Perry. George Miller Kitchen was the son of Andrew Kitchen and Ellenor (spelled a number of ways) Metcalf (Medcalf) whose parents were from England, although Ellenor was born in Canada. If anyone has similar information, and could add to this, I should appreciate hearing from them. Still trying to tie up some information on the Kitchen family. Thanks. Mrs. Marg. Kitchen
January 22, 2014
I am researching the Airth family in Horning Mills. My husband's great great grandfather Squire William Airth died there 26 January 1880. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
September 22, 2012
I am Elaine (Horning) Porter, daughter of John Charles Horning. His Father was Vernon Lorenzo Horning of Hamilton married to Grace Phillipo. We know very little about this side of our family other than that the original family came from Pennsylvania. Anyone with information about the Horning family, I would love to hear from you.
February 21, 2012
I am Donald Gordon Horning(born in 1959)and my sister Donna Mason posted the last comment. I am researching our Horning family tree and visited Hornings Mills back in 2000 and saw the plaque at that time. My father was Gordon Vernon Horning (1920-1980)and my grandfather was Gordon Roy Horning (1893-1972). Gordon Roy Horning's father was Philip Horning (1838-1926) and his father was Peter Horning (1793-1873). Lewis Horning was Peter's brother who lived (1809-1876) and their father was Abraham Horning who was a Loyalist and came to the Hamilton area in 1787 from Pennsylvania, USA. Lewis Horning was therefore my grandfather's great uncle and my great-great-great uncle. When my grandfather was alive I heard there was a dedication of the plaque and my grandfather was the most direct descendant living at the time so he came to Horning's Mills for the dedication.
August 10, 2011
My name is Donna-Marie Mason (nee Horning). My father was Gordon Vernon Horning and his father was Gordon Roy (known as Roy). I am not sure but I think my grandfather had something to do with the dedication of the plaque but I'm not sure.
July 11, 2011
Sadly, the church is now gone. Only a bare patch of ground marks what was once Knox Presbyterian Church.
May 2, 2011
We are researching Metcalfe Family history. Our Grandfather, William John Metcalfe was born in Horning Mills in 1870. Any info please email
January 4, 2011
I am the former Mayor of the Township of Melancthon and our Community of Horning's Mills is Hosting a Heritage Day on June 11th, 2011. We are celebrating throughout the whole Hamlet and invite any past residents/family connection/former business proprietors and just anyone else who would like to come and enjoy our History. For further information email or monitor the Township of Melancthon website closer to the time of the event.
October 6, 2009
I am a descendant of George Ludwig Horning and his son Peter and his son Lewis. Anyone wishing to share information on this family may contact me at. Hope to hear from you soon. John Riden, Punta Gorda, Fla.
July 23, 2009
One of the First settlers along with the Horning's were the Silk family. I am a Silk from England, and am researching Silk family history - www.SilkFamily.org