Craigleith is gaelic meaning “rocky bay” and the name was bestowed upon the area by Andrew Craig Fleming, one of the community’s earliest settlers. Craigleith was the home of the famous Sir Sanford Fleming who contributed to the establishment of standard time earning him the title of "The Father of Standard Time". Fleming also designed the first Canadian postage stamp. Issued in 1851, it cost three pennies and depicted the beaver, now the national animal of Canada. On November 24, 1872 the steamer “Mary Ward” ran aground 2 kms offshore. She was making a trip from Sarnia to her new home port of Collingwood and had twenty- seven crewmembers and passengers aboard. A group of local fishermen later rescued those left remaining on the ship, however the last of three rescue boats capsized and eight passengers drowned.

One of the last remaining wooden CNR stations is located here amidst acres of lilacs that blossom profusely every spring. Craigleith Provincial Park offers visitors a carefree relaxing experience while Northwinds Beach is home of Board Sailing in Ontario.