Courtice Driving Tour

CLMA inspires curiosity and is a destination where our community can relax, connect, learn, and thrive! Explore the Maker’s Space, Literacy Ship, and local heritage displays at the Courtice Library.

Roy Nichols was born in Courtice, and he started his business in 1922. At that time, it consisted of a small garage for automobile repairs and gas pump. By 1928, Nichols became a dealer of Willys-Overland, Willys Knight and Whippet cars. By 1933, this changed to General Motors. Customers could browse Nichols’ selection of cars in showrooms starting as early as the 1930s. 
Roy Nichols Motors is still a family-owned store today that has been proudly serving Courtice, ON and the surrounding communities since 1922.

Courtice Flea Market began in 1992 on the site of what was formerly a lumber yard. Once operating as Henry Build-All Lumber, it was formerly Oshawa Wood Products for over 40 years: a name adopted again post-fire in May 1960. This site required a rezoning to operate as the Flea Market and Auction Barn.
The Flea Market property extends 12-acres, and the market is open every Sunday between May and November. It offers a variety of vendors and food, as well as a seasonal farmers market and the Art Shack Artisan Market.

Fun fact: did you know the cute raccoon on the sign has the nickname “Cousin Courtice”? This mascot used to give away free balloons to kids who visited the market.

This trail connects from the west side of the Courtice Community Centre to a western entrance near Hwy 2 at Tooley’s Mill. The trail runs 1.5 KM, and it was dedicated in 2002, although expansion of the trail continued for the next decade (completed May 28, 2010).

Thanks to the efforts of several local community groups, including the Courtice Secondary School Students, Lions Club of Courtice, The Municipality of Clarington, Durham Land Stewardship Council, Friends of Second Marsh, OPG, Clarington Accessibility Committee, and CLOCA, many residents enjoy this trail today.

Did you know? More than 400 tonnes of limestone were required to complete the trail.

Meaghan Claire Kehoe painted this Courtice mural in 2025. Meaghan is a local artist who applied to a call-out by Durham Region for a public art project.

In an interview on the podcast ‘Exit 425,’ Kehoe stated that her inspiration for the mural came from community members’ contributions. For example, this mural features a fox, which Meaghan learned was an important part of the natural wildlife in the area. Capturing flora and fauna was a main theme the community voiced interest in seeing reflected in their art.

The artist’s goal was to create something “timeless,” noting that the art belongs to the people of the area once she completed the mural.  

In 2020, the artist Darlene Bolahood was commissioned to create a series of coloured polycarbonate figures as an outdoor installation for Courtice. The project was funded through a grant that was part of a series of public art installations in Courtice, Orono, and Newcastle.

Bolahood’s art symbolizes local youth and members of the Courtice community. In a 2020 interview, the artist described: “The themes of the installations will reflect the energy of the community and its narrative and (are a) tribute to the youth of our community and the notion of many styles of family in action.” 

When you stop by the unofficial duck pond in Courtice, you may see birds—from ducks to cardinals to herons—as well as other animals: such as turtles and fish, depending on the season. People can enjoy the outdoors as they explore trails that lead around this water management pond.

CLMA inspires curiosity and is a destination where our community can relax, connect, learn, and thrive! Explore the Maker’s Space, Literacy Ship, and local heritage displays at the Courtice Library.