The former Township of Oxford-on-Rideau got its name to distinguish it from Oxford County. The first settlers of Oxford wereThe former Township of Oxford-on-Rideau got its name to distinguish it from Oxford County. The first settlers of Oxford werethose who served the British during the American Revolutionary War. Those who received 200 acre grants in 1802 includedAndrew Yonge, Captain Hugh Munro, Ensign William Lampson, David Brakenridge, Nick Fulman, John Hickey and AlexBeckstead. Later pioneer families included Adams, Bovairds, Cooks, Gordons, Gardners, Jones Johnstons, McGoverns,Whaleys and Whalens.The earliest record of postal service was in 1866 when Andrew Holmes was appointed Post Master. He was succeeded byW.J. Black in 1882.The history of Oxford Station is largely entwined with the history of two families, the Blacks and the Sandersons. JamesSanderson built a cheese factory in 1899 and went on to built Eastern Ontario’s first cold storage plant in 1930. James andhis son Stanley went on to become the largest exporters of cheese in Eastern Ontario to the United States and Great Britain,as well as shipping throughout Canada.
Oxford Station Historical Walking Tour
The first general store and post office on this site was a log structure. The Cooks sold the log building and business to Miss Ann Jane Black. In 1899 Miss Black had the present building constructed. She married James Alfred Sanderson that same year. It housed the post office, general store and family residence. The building is one and a half storey timber frame construction with clapboard siding.
