Southampton is located on Lake Huron at the mouth of the Saugeen River. It is located south of Sauble Beach and north of Port Elgin.
In the spring of 1848, Captain John Spence, a native of the Orkney Islands in northern Scotland, arrived at the mouth of the Saugeen River after an overland journey on foot from Owen Sound. He was impressed with the potential of the area, returned to Owen Sound for provisions and the following year built a cabin near the mouth of the river, becoming Southampton’s first permanent settler. His wife and family joined him in 1850. He bought the fishing schooner “Sea Gull†for coastal trade along the shores of Lake Huron.
It is quiet and peaceful on Southampton’s beach, a four-kilometer-long stretch of shore. The wooden Long Dock extends towards Chantry Island with its lighthouse in view offshore.
33 Victoria Street North, the old public school – now houses the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre – 1878 – yellow brick – Italianate style with Two-and-a-half story tower-like bay with two-story tower above, iron cresting on top107 High Street – Chantry Breezes Bed and Breakfast – George E. Smith, Customs Officer – c. 1907 – Queen Anne style – spacious wrap-around porches, patios, flower gardens, mature trees, one block from white sand beaches of Lake Huron, has seven tastefully decorated bedrooms featuring antiques, historic charm and en-suite bathrooms25 Huron Street North – Magnus Spence, Gentleman – 1896 – Italianate style with two-and-a-half story tower-like bay with projecting eaves, paired cornice brackets, cornice return on gable201 High Street – constructed by James Howe in 1887 as a private library and used as a Mechanics Institute until 1892; from 1896 to 1955 it housed a public library – yellow brick, Gothic Revival style, cornice return on gable – In 1957 it became the Southampton Art School.#44 – Gothic Revival – one-and-a-half stories33 Albert Street South – The Customs Agent once lived in this house, which was built in 1902 by the Bowman Family who were owners of the local tannery. Gothic Revival/Queen Anne style – large fretwork pieces resembling brackets
