[4] A spur-line of the Toronto and Nipissing Railway built in 1877 ran through Ballantrae from Stouffville to Jackson's Point on Lake Simcoe.

Large-scale deforestation and erosion of the thin soil of northern Whitchurch Township created virtual sand deserts.

Now downgraded to a community, the abandoned post office remains and school house replaced by Vivian Outdoor Centre.

[8] A significant issue facing Ballantrae in the coming years is the federal government's proposed development of an international airport directly south-east of Whitchurch-Stouffville (the Pickering Airport lands); under the current plan, an approach for one of the three landing strips would be directly above the communities of Ballantrae and Musselman's Lake, with planes descending (or ascending) from 535 to 500 metres.

After a "due diligence review," Transport Canada released the report in July 2011, and on June 11, 2013 announced a decision to proceed.