Rural Community of Coldwater | Ontario Agritourism

Coldwater Ontario

A Historic Rural Village at the Crossroads of Ontario

Coldwater is a historic rural village in Simcoe County, located within the Township of Severn. Situated along Highway 12, Coldwater lies between Orillia and Midland, making it a natural gateway between southern Ontario and the Georgian Bay area.

Coldwater is one of Simcoe County’s older communities, with roots that reach back to the early 19th century. Its growth was closely tied to the Coldwater River, which provided water power for early mills and attracted settlement. By the mid-1800s, Coldwater had become an important service centre for surrounding farms, supplying goods, services, and social life to a growing rural population.

Despite its modest size, Coldwater has retained a strong sense of identity. Its historic buildings, compact village core, and long-standing institutions reflect a community that values continuity, heritage, and its role as a rural crossroads. Today, Coldwater continues to serve local residents while welcoming visitors travelling through Severn Township and Simcoe County.

The Local Agricultural Landscape

The countryside surrounding Coldwater is a patchwork of working farms, woodlots, and mixed agricultural landscapes typical of this part of Simcoe County. Agriculture here has always been diverse, shaped by both fertile soils and proximity to waterways and forested land.

Local farms traditionally focus on field crops such as corn, soybeans, and hay, alongside livestock operations including beef and dairy. Smaller mixed farms remain common, reflecting a long-standing tradition of adaptability and self-sufficiency. This blend of agriculture supports not only food production, but also local agri-businesses, equipment suppliers, and rural services that keep the area economically resilient.

For agritourism visitors, Coldwater’s agricultural setting offers an authentic view of rural Ontario, where farms are active year-round and closely connected to community life. Seasonal changes are easy to spot, from planting and harvest to winter feeding and spring renewal, making the surrounding countryside an ever-changing backdrop to village life.

And Here’s the Rest of the Story…

Every community has a few stories that don’t always make guidebooks, this is one of them.

Coldwater’s name comes from a natural cold spring, but its importance goes far beyond a simple landmark. The spring was used by Indigenous travellers and early military routes as a reliable source of clean, cold water. In an era when water access often dictated travel and survival, this spring quietly shaped movement through the region long before a permanent village was established, making Coldwater a place of necessity before it became a place to live.