Early records indicate that the Mansfield area was originally covered by heavy bush. The clearing of land was slow and difficult work for early settlers such as James Simpson, William Cathcart, William Healey, and William Mann. Most had received crown land grants in exchange for military service. For many years, the Mann family, after whom the area was named, owned most of the land in the area. Mansfield, the small village situated along the 7th Concession in the middle of the township, once boasted its own post office, school, church (Mansfield Methodist) and Orange Lodge (Loyal Orange Lodge #69). This was another community that fell victim to the improvements in transportation.

Today, Dwyer Hill designates an area rather than an established, village-like community. Named for settler Edward Dwyer, the district boasts a number of historic buildings, many of which originally belonged to the Purdy family who were major land holders in the area. For a short period at the end of the 19th century, the main intersection of the Franktown Road and the Dwyer Hill Road was the site of a general store and post office. The area also had a cheese factory, two schoolhouses and a church.

The present St. Clare’s Roman Catholic Church was built in 1915, replacing the original church built in 1890. St. Clare’s was designed by Francis Sullivan and strongly reflects the modern style of Chicago architect Frank Lloyd Wright, with whom Sullivan had worked.