North east of Harcourt on the Loop Road (County Road 648) the small community of Highland Grove is rich in beautiful landscape. It is said to have been named as it was thought (at the time) to be the highest elevation in Haliburton County. Lumber was the largest industry in the area followed by farming. These hardy farmers were referred to as rock farmers due to the soil conditions. Highland Grove was home to three general stores, a cheese factory, two churches, a blacksmith shop, hotel and school as well as the railway station. Many of its original settlers came from other now abandoned communities where the railway did not go, such as Cheddar and Kidd's Corners.

Today Highland Grove features a community centre, library, museum/genealogy resource centre, fire station, church, unique shopping and a whole lot of community spirit. Be sure to check out the schoolhouse museum, especially if you are interested in genealogy.