[1] Although the community still has its own post office, and road signs indicating the name Southampton, it is no longer an entity in its own right.

From La Cloche, its main post on Lake Huron, the Hudson's Bay Company employed First Nations, Métis, French, and British fur traders who largely depended on Anishnabe hunters to supply deer, bear and marten skins.

Although many Anishnabe gave up hunting and settled in an agricultural village, fur trading continued here until the mid-19th century when Southampton was founded.

[4]The community was originally known as Saugeen by the early residents, by the Canadian Post Office and by Custom House Departments.

The first European settlers of the area, around 1848, were Captain John Spence and William Kennedy, who wanted to establish a fishing company.

[5] While it proved unsuccessful, Spence became a sailor and Kennedy joined a search for the Arctic explorer, Sir John Franklin.

The town petitioned the Legislative Assembly of Ontario and the elective officials passed an exceptional Act of Incorporation on July 24, 1858 to allow the community to be considered for the county seat.

[9] (The tower and the keeper's home have been extensively renovated and are open for tours, several days a week late May to mid-September, operated only by the Marine Heritage Society.

]"[15] The railway was intended to both serve the local area and to provide a through route to the west via the Great Lakes steamer trade.

[17] Around this time, the Douglas Point Spur was constructed, branching off the main Southampton Subdivision line at Port Elgin.

It was primarily used for transporting fuel oil from Sarnia to the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station at Douglas Point.

In 2016, the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station started a $13 billion refurbishment program which will provide employment for many residents and maintain demand for other services.

Canada Day is a highly celebrated occasion, where hundreds of cottagers and locals alike gather on Southampton Beach to watch the fireworks lit off the base of the "Big Flag".

During the summer and early autumn, the beaches are full of people who have come to see the colourful sunsets lighting up the sky over the lake.

[27] Near the town, Southampton, a summer destination, is close to Chantry Island, Port Elgin, Saugeen First Nation which holds a PowWow in August each year, and Sauble Beach.

Every Thursday evening from early June to late August, a Cruise Nite is held; the classic cars park downtown on High St. near the lake shore.

The Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre provides displays about local history and in summer especially, offers adult and children's programming and special events.

In addition to a settlers cabin, the facility houses numerous historic artifacts from the area, genealogical records, county newspapers, photographs, and municipal documents.

The island is a federal Migratory Bird Sanctuary and access is prohibited except with the single licensed tour operator.

[37][needs update] Highway 21 passes through Southampton, following its lakeshore route to the south and veering over land to the north on its way to Owen Sound.

[38][39] The trailhead can be accessed at River Street in Port Elgin, a few blocks north of the town centre and east of Hwy 21.

The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail also runs through Southampton, following a more coastal route and a mix of on-road and off-road rights of way.