North Monaghan is the smallest township in the County of Peterborough. It is bounded on the north by the township of Smith, on the south by the County of Northumberland, on the west by Cavan township (County of Durham), and on the east by the Otonabee River. The Township was first surveyed by Samuel Wilmot in 1817 and settlement began the same year. In 1818, Wilmot wrote to the surveyor general, suggesting that lots 14, 15, and 16 on concession 13 be reserved as a site for a village. This site became the village of Peterborough and remained as such until January 1, 1850, when it was officially severed from North Monaghan and incorporated as the Town of Peterborough. As a result, North Monaghan lost 350 families (2,100 persons), and numerous businesses, industries, shops and services. In the 1852 census return, the number of householders left in North Monaghan totalled 100. The only village which remained in the township was Springville which is situated on the boundary of North Monaghan and Cavan townships. Due to North Monaghan's close proximity with the town of Peterborough and Cavan township, there was never a need to re-build the resources which were lost to Peterborugh in 1850, and today, North Monaghan township is very much a "suburb" of the City of Peterborough.