05/27/2026
Every second Wednesday for the rest of the year, we’ll be sharing a moment in Grey Highlands history, paired with a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork. Just as our shared history never truly breaks, our anniversary art will be created by a single, continuous line… pen never lifting from paper.
Each drawing will weave together familiar landmarks, quiet rural moments, and defining milestones from the past quarter century, forming a visual tapestry of Grey Highlands and the remarkable people who call it home.
Twenty-five stories. Twenty-five uninterrupted lines. One community, traced thoughtfully across time, and this week we’re featuring a story about the beginnings of a community.
INSTALLATION SEVEN: W.K. Flesher
In 1853, a young Englishman named William Kingston Flesher arrived in the dense forests of Artemesia Township. He purchased land along the Toronto-Sydenham Road and wasted no time — building both a sawmill, followed by a grist mill on the fast flowing Boyne River.
What started as a handful of farms quickly grew into a bustling settlement thanks to his drive and vision. Flesher didn’t just build mills — he built a community. He served as postmaster, magistrate, reeve, militia captain, and eventually Member of Parliament for Grey East. The village, initially called Artemesia Corners, soon adopted the name Flesher’s Corners. Later, it was renamed Flesherton in honour of its founder.
Today, over 170 years later, Flesherton still carries the name of this remarkable pioneer. His story is a classic tale of Canadian spirit — one determined settler who helped turn wilderness into a lasting home.
