Mount Albert, Ontario, is a charming village nestled within the Town of East Gwillimbury, part of the York Region. Located 65 km north-east of Toronto, 21 km south of Sutton, 45 km west-southwest of Beaverton, and 30 km north of Markham, Mount Albert is easily accessible via Highway 404 and Highway 48. With a population of approximately 4,900, this quaint village is slowly expanding with housing developments continuing north and south.
The downtown area of Mount Albert, Ontario, is centred at the intersection of Centre Street and Main Street. The town itself is bordered by Highway 48 to the west, Durham Regional road 30 to the east, Doane road to the north, and Herald road to the south. The serene Vivian Creek passes through Mount Albert, adding to its natural charm. The outlying area is adorned with private woodlots, regionally owned and maintained pine forests, and sprawling farmlands. The major industry in Mount Albert is farming, with a focus on livestock, feed, and potatoes.
Mount Albert, Ontario, is surrounded by several communities. To the west lies Holt, Ontario, while Musselman Lake and Newmarket are located to the south. Sharon, Ontario, is also to the west, with Sutton to the north. Uxbridge is situated to the south-east, and Zephyr to the north-east.
The approximately 4,900 inhabitants of Mount Albert, Ontario, are affectionately known as Mounties or Mount Albertarians.
The establishment of what is now known as Mount Albert, Ontario, began in the early 19th century. Land in the area was granted by the Crown to friends of the Family Compact, the governing council of Upper Canada. In 1821, Samuel and Rufus Birchard, Quakers from Vermont, bought parcels of land, and by 1850, a village had developed. Originally named Birchardville, the settlement was later renamed Mount Albert in honour of Prince Albert, Prince of Wales (later Edward VII), son of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, to commemorate his visit to Upper Canada in 1860.
The village's industries were primarily agricultural, with grist, flour, woollen, and lumber mills located along the Mount Albert Creek. The first known store was built in 1850 to supply dry goods to the villagers and surrounding farmers. The main north-south road in the village, Centre Street, was built along the path of an Algonquin Indian trail.
Housing developments slowly expanded the original village in the mid-to-late 20th century, beginning in the 1970s in the south and east quadrants. More development began in the late 1990s expanding to lands north west of the heart of Mount Albert. This subdivision was first established in 1995, with the third phase still under construction as of 2016 in the north east. A smaller development began in the south west in 2009.
Children were originally schooled in two local Grammar Schools, one to the north, and one south of the village. A public school opened in 1890 on Centre Street, and served the surrounding community until 1968. The Ross Family Complex now stands on the former school grounds. A continuation school was constructed in 1926 and taught public school graduates until 1948 when students were bused to Newmarket High School. Mount Albert Public School opened in 1967, housing Kindergarten to Grade 8. Robert Munsch Public School opened in September 2014, and services JK to grade 3, while Mount Albert Public School continues with grades 4 to 8. Mount Albert students are now primarily bused to Huron Heights Secondary School in Newmarket.
Brooks Farms, a popular farm in Ontario, is also located in Mount Albert, adding to the village's agricultural charm.
