History HistoryThe name Oakwood was chosen due to the white oaks that grew in the area. This village was previously known as Tifft's Corner and Mark's Corner. The first permanent resident was James Tifft who cleared land and farmed until 1855.
Oakwood had two hotels. In 1847, John R. Lytle opened a tavern with six beds; it was gone by 1850. Thomas Mark built the first frame hotel at "Town Hall" in 1850. He sold the business to Thomas Hueston in 1854. William Banks took over in 1856 and kept the hotel until 1882.
The Oakwood post office was established on October 6th, 1848 with Alexander A. McLauchlin as the first postmaster. In 1874 a train station situated eight miles north of the village was created with one train running each way.
In March of 1895, a fire totally destroyed the wagon shop, two houses and threatened the entire village. Following a similar fire in 1905 the citizens purchased a hand-pumped fire engine.
Prior to 1905, Oakwood was just a collection of houses administered by the Township Council. In 1905, it was established as a police village. This allowed the first election of police trustees in that same year. In 1922 Highway 7 was created linking Oakwood to the outside world. The police village status was reverted back to that of hamlet status in December of 1981. This allowed more spending on community projects. The village of Oakwood continues to expand.
The Former Township celebrated 150 years as Mariposa. During 2000, there was a historic site tour.
Oakwood S.S. #12, once the Township Administration Offices on Highway #7 had been at this location since 1986. The #12 school replaced the Elgin Street school in 1912 and continued operating until 1972. S.S. #12 was a private school until 1984.
Oakwood S.S. #12 started on Albert Street in 1849. It replaced the old frame building on Elgin Street in 1847. The Oakwood Grammar School was a Union School along with the Common School had originated for the benefit of the school section. Thirty students enrolled but averaged out to 17. The school was opened 12 months of the year with a boarding house for students across from the school. Students were boarded at a cost of $1.25 a week.
In 1865, the Grammar School Act was amended separating the University, Grammar and Common Schools.
Oakwood High School District was formed in 1876. The district was comprised of the entire Mariposa Township including the Village of Woodville.
In 1886, a high school inspector's report recommended that the building be enlarged due to crowds.
An ongoing battle transpired between Mariposa Township and the Government. The issue was over the Township paying out municipal grants or forcing the Township to build a larger school.
The Oakwood High School was built in 1847 and closed in 1889.
The Oakwood High School was a credit to the Township for over 30 years. Had the school been fortunate enough to survive it would have closed by 1951 when all the smaller schools were closed. From that point on all the students in the Oakwood area went to Lindsay Collegiate Vocational Institute (L.C.V.I.) or to the high school in Port Perry.