 In 1847, an exploration survey was carried out by Robert Bell to lay out the lines that would become the Opeongo, Hastings, and Addington Roads.The Public Lands Act, passed in 1853, permitted the granting of land to settlers who were at least 18.Those settlers who cleared at least within four years, built a house within a year, and resided on the grant for at least five years would receive the title to that land.