Brougham, Ontario


Brougham is a community within the northern part of the City of Pickering, in Durham Region of Ontario, Canada. Some of its lands are affected by plans to build the proposed Pickering Airport. There are concerns because some of its buildings are of architectural significance. There is one bus in the area; the 52 York University passes through with a stop at Brock Road. The population is about 150. The children go to school at Valley View Public School in its neighbouring town of Greenwood. It has slowly reduced in population and business as the 407 wound its way through in the early 2000s. It currently houses an Antique Restoration, Pickering Animal Shelter, Hot Tub Outlet and RV dealership, as well as a handful of historical buildings dating back to the Mackenzie Rebellion. In the past, the hamlet has been home for a Mac's Milk as well as a Family Run Hardware Store, a small restaurant as well as a small mechanic shop, most of which closed down in or around the time that the plans for the 407 development came to realization.
The Hamlet of Brougham is now the current site of the Highway 407 ETR/Ontario Highway 7 Bypass as part of the 407 expansion through Eastern Durham Region. At this juncture, the 407 leads from the Hamlet, and runs parallel with Highway 7 until it reaches Bowmanville.
To the north of the Hamlet, there is the historical site of Thistle Ha', which consists of a plaque on the side of the road; and an old Historical Hotel that has fallen into disuse. Rumour has it that at the corner of Brock Rd. and Concession 5 there once stood an Inn that William Lyon MacKenzie used as a staging area for activities during the Mackenzie Rebellion, although at this time such claims are not wholly verified.