Except for an historic stone church built in the late 19th century, the North Grenville Archives, and a brickyard, the area consists mainly of farms and homes set in a mixture of farmland and cedar forest.

The intersection was created between Lots 15 and 16 of Concessions 2 and 3 of Oxford Township in the early 19th century and was originally named Bobtown, with only a Blacksmith's shop in the area.

In the late 1820s, Robert Acton (for whom the community is named) and his family arrived from West Connaught, Ireland, and settled on Lot 16, Concession 3.

Robert's son, John Acton, was a capable shoemaker, but worked on the Rideau Canal as a stonemason and later constructed several buildings in the township including the grist mill at Oxford Mills and the stone house at Actons Corners that replaced the family's original log dwelling.

At its height[clarification needed], Actons Corners boasted a post office, a school, two churches, a cheese factory, and an Orange Hall.