In 1864, the Rosseau-Nipissing Road (also known as the “Old Nipissing Road”) was authorized by the government. The road began in 1866, at Rosseau, and it eventually ran 70 kilometers through Commanda ending at the South River at what is now Nipissing Village. In 1873, the road was open for winter traffic and in 1875 it was open for wheeled vehicles. The Great North Colonization Road connected Parry Sound to Commanda. It was 97 kilometers long and was started in 1867. The road was completed to Dunchurch by 1870 and by 1880, joined the Rosseau-Nipissing Road just north of Commanda. Besides the two main colonization roads – The Great North Road and the Rosseau-Nipissing Road, by 1900 there were branch roads leading to small communities off the main roads.

 

In the 1870s, the village of Commanda was established on both sides of the Commanda Creek where the creek crossed the Rosseau-Nipissing Road. Commanda was established as a way stop along the Rousseau-Nipissing Road. In 1877, there were approximately 150 people in Commanda and village lots were sold for $20-$50 for a ½ acre lot. By 1877, there were approximately 200 cleared acres of land around the settlement. During the boom years of settlement, area people travelled miles to Commanda for supplies, tools, special services and to attend to business. The first school in Commanda was built in the early 1880s. The school was a small log cabin but there is no information available about it. A second school was built in 1900 which burned down in 1943. In 1945 the school was rebuilt on the same site but closed in 1969. After 1969, students were bussed to Trout Creek.

 

Commanda’s first church was built in the 1880s. Tom Carr donated a lot for a Presbyterian church which was built on the north end of the main street. Bi-monthly, this church was used by the Lutherans who were served by “travelling Ministers”. In 1925, the Presbyterians merged with the Methodist and formed the United Church. In 1926 the Lutherans purchased the church and moved it behind the Commanda Store. This church operated until 2016 when it was closed and gifted to the Commanda Museum as an exhibit.Commanda was the connection to the south and for people passing through; it was a resting place for them and their horses.