Street names approved in Mount Forest subdivision
KENILWORTH – Names have been approved for six streets in the Deer Ridge Heights subdivision in Mount Forest.
They are Bateman, Kent, Hampton, Stovel, Swan and Gruer streets.
Council approved the names, submitted by the Mount Forest Museum and Archives, during a Jan. 12 meeting.
The township’s road naming policy outlines that whenever possible roads should be named after local pioneer families or former residents who contributed through community involvement, athletics or business.
Batemen Street is in recognition of Bateman’s General store, a Main Street merchant for decades.
Kent Street is named for the Kent Tavern, known locally as the Pig’s Ear and built in 1865 as the American Hotel. The establishment “Was a popular social spot for over 125 years,” states a township report about the new street names.
Hampton Street honours one of Mount Forest’s oldest residents, who started as a clerk and teamster in the first store, became a merchant, had several homes built and was a county councillor for two decades.
Stovel Street refers to four Stovel Brothers, including Henry and Thomas Stovel. Henry formed Mount Forest’s first library in 1860, and Thomas was a collector for the town’s first municipal council.
“All four brothers contributed hugely to the early development of Mount Forest,” the report states, and their descendants, including MaryBeth Cockburn, still live here.
Swan Street is named for Mount Forest’s first mayor, Thomas Swan. He was also a blacksmith and carriage maker on Main Street.
Gruer Street recognizes William Gruer, a carpenter who moved to Mount Forest from Scotland in the 1860s. He operated Gruer and Ritchie Sash and Door and Planning Mill Factory, which was located on land later donated to the town by Gruer’s daughter to establish the Carnegie Library in honour of her father.
The subdivision is at the northwest corner of Bentley Street and Highway 6 in Mount Forest’s south end.
It is set to include 231 single detached homes, 60 semi-detached homes and 120 townhouses.
Deer Ridge Heights purchased the development from Avila Investments in 2022.
