Norland, Ontario, a small rural farming community, has a rich history that dates back to 1854. Originally known as Norland, Victoria, Canada West, British Colonial America, it was renamed Norland, Laxton Township, Victoria, Ontario, Canada on July 1, 1867. The community underwent another transformation on July 1, 2001, when it became part of the city of Kawartha Lakes, in the Canadian province of Ontario.
Norland, Ontario is located in a picturesque spot on the Gull River at the north end of Shadow Lake, the northernmost Kawartha lake in the Trent River chain. A series of three waterfalls reflect the change in elevation of the land leading north to the Haliburton Highlands. The community was named after Norland, England, the birthplace of one of the first settlers, William H. Smith.
Norland, Ontario falls under the leadership of Mayor Andy Letham, who was originally elected in 2014 and is currently serving his second term. The city of Kawartha Lakes is divided into 16 different wards, each with their own councillor. Norland is located in Ward 1, represented by Councillor Rob Macklem. However, the 2018 Municipal elections brought changes to the political structure of Norland, and Kawartha Lakes as a whole. The number of wards was reduced to 8, bringing Norland a new councillor, Emmet Yeo.
Norland, Ontario boasts a large mural featuring a nature scene with animals and native people located on the largest building in town. The town is also home to Elliot Falls, a hydroelectric power generating station, and a dam near the town centre that has recently been converted into a power facility. The "Old School", which now houses the public library, used to be the municipal building for the tri-township of Laxton-Digby-Longford. The townships no longer exist since the amalgamation of Victoria County into the City of Kawartha Lakes.
Norland, Ontario offers several recreational facilities including the Links at Monck's Landing Golf Club, the Norland Recreation Centre, and several municipal waterfront parks. The Norland Summer Festival is a popular event in the community, featuring tournaments, food trucks, vendors, and a demolition derby. The Riverside Inn, a popular restaurant in the heart of the town, attracts tourists with modern features such as a Tesla charging station. The Norland General Store, which hosts the town's only gas station, came under new ownership in 2018 and now includes pay-at-the-pump gas pumps.
Norland, Ontario was once mentioned on NBC's Late Night with Conan O'Brien when the show was in Toronto for a week. Mike Myers mentioned the village by name, including the only still operating gas station and a resident of Norland.
