In 1825, the area now known as Acton was settled by the Rev. Ezra, Rev. Zenas, and Rufus Adams.
These men were Methodist preachers who took a sabbatical and began farming here on a branch of the Credit River.
A fourth brother, Eliphalet, also settled here later.
 In the 1840s, the community had a grist mill and tannery.
The community was initially named Danville when settler Wheeler Green opened a dry-goods store in 1828.
It was later called Adamsville, after the three original settlers.

In 1856, the Grand Trunk Railway arrived and helped spur growth in the area, especially along Mill Street.
By 1869, Acton had businesses that included woodworking mills, tanneries, glove makers and carriage works.
It was incorporated as a village on January 6, 1874.
Originally part of Esquesing Township, Acton's principal trade was in grain, lumber, cordwood, leather and hops.
It was incorporated as a village in 1874, and incorporated as a town in 1950.
A new town hall was opened in 1883 (and designated a Heritage Building in 1996); postmaster Robert Swan named the village Acton after the area of Acton, London in England.

In 1926, with the help of Sir Harry Brittain, the Village of Acton was given permission by the Municipal Borough of Acton in Middlesex, England to adopt a variant of the latter's coat of arms, substituting maple leaves for the oak leaves in the original.
The municipal council continued to use it until 1974, when Acton amalgamated with the Town of Georgetown and most of the Township of Esquesing to form the Town of Halton Hills.
In 1825, the area now known as Acton was settled by the Rev. Ezra, Rev. Zenas, and Rufus Adams. These men were Methodist preachers who took a sabbatical and began farming here on a branch of the Credit River. A fourth brother, Eliphalet, also settled here later.  In the 1840s, the community had a grist mill and tannery. The community was initially named Danville when settler Wheeler Green opened a dry-goods store in 1828. It was later called Adamsville, after the three original settlers.
In 1856, the Grand Trunk Railway arrived and helped spur growth in the area, especially along Mill Street. By 1869, Acton had businesses that included woodworking mills, tanneries, glove makers and carriage works. It was incorporated as a village on January 6, 1874. Originally part of Esquesing Township, Acton's principal trade was in grain, lumber, cordwood, leather and hops. It was incorporated as a village in 1874, and incorporated as a town in 1950. A new town hall was opened in 1883 (and designated a Heritage Building in 1996); postmaster Robert Swan named the village Acton after the area of Acton, London in England.
In 1926, with the help of Sir Harry Brittain, the Village of Acton was given permission by the Municipal Borough of Acton in Middlesex, England to adopt a variant of the latter's coat of arms, substituting maple leaves for the oak leaves in the original. The municipal council continued to use it until 1974, when Acton amalgamated with the Town of Georgetown and most of the Township of Esquesing to form the Town of Halton Hills.
Acton, Ontario