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When a village became large enough, it could separate from the township and incorporate as a separate municipal entity. Often the driving force behind village incorporation was the increased control over taxation and the use of tax revenue within the village area: in particular, the ability to raise enough money to establish fire protection services. Given the number of wooden buildings and how closely together they were built in most early villages, fire was a major concern for 19th century residents and business operators in any growing urban centre.
 Newmarket was the first village to separate, having grown substantially as a result of the Ontario, Huron & Simcoe Railway service. Newmarket incorporated in 1858. The Village of Aurora was next in 1863 followed by Richmond Hill in 1872. In 1877, the Village of Stouffville incorporated. The first railway to be constructed in Whitchurch Township was the Ontario, Huron & Simcoe Railway which connected Toronto to Matchell's Corners (now Aurora), and was completed in May, 1853. The arrival of the railway led to tremendous economic and urban development in the communities located along its path. Those hamlets and villages not along the railway line, usually fell into decline.  It was not until 1871 that the Toronto & Nipissing Railway arrived in Stouffville, running from Scarborough to Coboconk. The great need for lumber in markets as far away as New York and Europe, was the main reason for bringing railway service to Stouffville. Extensive lumber harvesting and sawmill operations were located in Vandorf, Vivian, Ballantrae and along Stouffville Road. In 1878, the Lake Simcoe Junction Railway was constructed linking Stouffville to Jackson's Point, through Ballantrae and Vivian, to further support the local timber trade. |
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