In 1867, Charles Hendry opened a flax mill employing 60 workers in Stirton, Ontario. Flax (also known as common flax or linseed) (binomial name Linum usitatissimum) is a member of the genus Linum He also built a tannery and sawmill. Other businesses included the wagon maker, hotel, shoe maker, harness maker, school and Methodist church. Methodism is a movement within Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations
The post office was operated by John Sanderson. Samuel Crookshanks was the blacksmith and A. Grant manager of the flax mill. In its prime, the town had a population of approximately 150 people.