TheRideau - Rideau Heritage Route

Transcription

Story Bites
Rideau
The
:
In the Spotlight at Home & Abroad
O
ntario’s First UNESCO
World Heritage Site!
The Rideau Canal is a monumental early
19th-century construction, spanning 202
kilometres between Kingston and Ottawa
in eastern Ontario. It is one of the first
canals to be designed for use by steampowered vessels, and remains the best
preserved example of a slackwater canal
in North America.
The Rideau Canal – Celebrating the Triple Crown
Much fanfare has been made of the recent UNESCO designation of the Rideau Canal,
Fort Henry and Kingston Fortifications as a World Heritage Site – but this is really the
third jewel (though perhaps the shiniest!) in the Rideau’s crown.
Did you know that the Rideau Canal is also a National Historic Site of
Canada and a Canadian Heritage River?
Rideau Canal Receives National Geographic Honour
The National Geographic Society’s Centre for Sustainable Destinations
rated the Rideau Canal second best of 109 historic destinations around
the world on the 2008 ‘Places Rated’ Destination Stewardship Survey.
UNESCO Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve
The Frontenac Arch is a broad and ancient granite ridge that connects the Canadian
Shield to the Adirondack Mountains. This billion-year-old backbone of the eastern
continent is a vital north-south migration route for plants and animals. It is crossed
east-west by the St. Lawrence Valley, a migration route spanning from the east coast
to the Great Lakes heartland of North America.
This intersection of land forms and migration routes creates the
largest diversity of life forms in eastern Canada.
It is the only canal of its era to remain
operational along its original line with
most original structures intact.
The Rideau Canal, along with Fort Henry and
the Kingston Fortifications, was inscribed
on the UNESCO World Heritage List in
2007. This honour made it Canada’s 14th
and Ontario’s first World Heritage Site. The
designation is an acknowledgement of the
outstanding universal value of the Rideau,
which played a contributory role in allowing
British forces to defend the colony of Canada
against the US. This lead to the development
of two distinct political and cultural entities
in North America – which can be seen as a
significant stage in human history.
The Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve
(FABR) was designated by UNESCO in
2002, with a mandate to promote
solutions to reconcile the conservation
of biodiversity with its sustainable use.
It encompasses approximately 2,700
square kilometers in south eastern
Ontario, forming a rough triangle
between Kingston to the south, Westport
to the north and Brockville to the east.
Eastern Ontario Community Futures
Development Corporation Network Inc.
Rideau Heritage Route Tourism Association
887 Old Colony Road, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7P 1S1
[email protected]
Phone/Fax: 613-389-4783
Story Bites
Rideau
The
:
Historic Landmarks
T
he ‘Whispering’ Dam
The keystone arch dam at Jones Falls,
built of interlocking tapered vertical
stones, was one of the first of its kind
in the world. Dubbed the “Seventh
Wonder of the World” by workers during
construction (1829-30), it is easily the
most spectacular engineering structure
on the Rideau Canal. Standing 107
metres long and 19 metres high, it was
the highest arch dam in North America
and the third highest in the world at the
time of building.
Ontario’s Oldest Stone Bridge
Did you know that the picturesque hamlet of Lyndhurst, located near the southern
end of the Rideau corridor, is home to the oldest stone bridge in Ontario? Built in
1856-57, it was designed by John Roddick and erected over the Lyndhurst River by
contractors Miles Fulford and Simon Ransom. Similar in design to bridges found in
Europe, it has flattened Roman arches – each of which spans 24 feet and has a rise
of 12 feet. Built of local field and sandstone, it is distinguished by the curved flare of
its’ wend walls and slightly oblique shape of two of its arches.
A fine example of masonry arch construction, it is the subject of
many paintings by both professional and amateur artists!
The Old Stone Mill Gets Back to the Grindstone
Billed as one of the finest examples of early industrial architecture in
the region, the Old Stone Mill (or Delta Mill as it is also known) is a
National Historic Site of Canada.
Often called the ‘whispering dam’,
its acoustics allow a person speaking
at one end of the face to be clearly
heard at the other.
Located in the beautiful village of Delta in the south-central area of the Rideau corridor,
the building features interactive displays and fascinating artifacts that illustrate the
grist milling process – including a full-size breast wheel waterwheel. Volunteers
are currently undertaking a major fundraising campaign to restore this, the oldest
surviving automatic grist mill in
Ontario, to operational condition
in time for the 200th anniversary
of its construction in 2010.
The dam forms part of the shores of Sand
Lake, raising the lake’s water level to allow
clear passage to the upper lock which lies 200
metres to the west.
[email protected]
Phone/Fax: 613-389-4783
Story Bites
Colours of the Rideau
Go Green!
A utumn Brilliance
The Rideau Heritage Route is one of
Ontario’s ‘Great Fall Drives’ – and for
good reason!
Every autumn the Rideau erupts
in a tapestry of fiery reds, oranges
and yellows.
An increasing number of consumers are interested in environmentally responsible
alternatives to their traditional purchases, but identifying green options can
sometimes involve a bit of research.
For many businesses along the Rideau, sustainable practices are
simply a way of life - and often they don’t think to promote them.
The good news is that these operators are starting to realize that being green can
bring in more green – and providing more information to consumers on their
sustainable practices.
Here are just a few ways to enjoy the Rideau in eco-friendly style! Take a boat tour
with Captain Lance in his electric cruiser ‘Chuckles’, moor your own boat at one
of four marinas along the waterway to attain the prestigious ‘Five Green Anchor’
rating in 2008, or stay at Sam Jakes Inn in Merrickville – recipient of the 2008
Industry Excellence Award for Sustainability from the Tourism Industry Association
of Ontario.
A Feast for the Senses
Have you ever experienced the vibrant atmosphere of an established farmers
market? Colourful produce, eclectic arts and crafts – a thousand different sights,
smells and sounds compete for your attention. Those in the know understand the
appeal! Kingston and Ottawa, the two urban anchors of the Rideau corridor, are
home to excellent examples of such markets.
But don’t take our word for it – this is one of
those things you just have to see for yourself.
Along the corridor there are plenty of ways to
experience the beautiful fall colours. Visit a
Provincial Park or conservation area, hike the
Rideau or Cataraqui Trail, cycle the regions
idyllic county roads, take a ‘Fall Colours Cruise’
along the canal – or simply hop in your car
and drive the signed Rideau Heritage Route!
Don’t forget to stop for a stunning photo-op at
Rock Dunder in Morton or Spy Rock at Foley
Mountain Conservation Area near Westport.
The Kingston Public Market, which animates Market Square in
beautiful downtown Kingston, is the oldest and longest-running
market in Ontario.
The Byward Market in Ottawa
was established in 1826 by LtCol. John By (the man behind
the construction of the Rideau
Canal) and is one of the largest
public markets in Canada.
Check out a variety of suggested ways to tour
the Rideau in the ‘A Day in the Countryside’
section of the interactive online Rideau Heritage
Route Travel Guide at
www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/dawson/
rhrta_travelguide0809-en.
[email protected]
Phone/Fax: 613-389-4783
Story Bites
Flavours of the Rideau
The Mustard-Makers of Merrickville
M aple Madness!
Made only in Eastern North America,
maple syrup is enjoyed by people around
the world. Native Americans taught the
European settlers how to gather sap from
maple trees and boil it down to produce
the sweet treat. Today, modern equipment
is used to make maple syrup, but the
process is still the same. Production takes
place in the early spring, when weather
conditions are just right for the sap to
freeze at night and thaw during the day.
The Rideau region
is home to Lanark
County, the Maple
Syrup Capital of
Ontario, and many
fine maple syrup
producers.
uring maple season,
D
the area also hosts a
number of festivals
dedicated
to
the
Canadian
delicacy
including the Delta
Maple Syrup Festival,
the Festival of the
Maples in Perth,
Maple Madness at
the Little Cataraqui
Creek Conservation Area in Kingston, as
well as Maple SugarFest and the Sugarbush
Celebration in Ottawa.
Merrickville is a pretty, sleepy little town on the Rideau. It is also the headquarters of
Mrs. McGarrigle’s – the nerve centre of the Mustard-Makers of Merrickville.
The scents inside the store – baked goods, coffee, the bite of mustard
– are enough to give a gourmet goosebumps.
Fourteen flavours of mustard are hand-made here with love, the seeds soaked for
several hours prior to mixing and other carefully sourced ingredients added for
delicious results. Mrs. McGarrigle’s Canadian Maple, Chipotle Lime, Red Wine &
Garlic and Hot Whiskey mustards have won awards at the Napa Valley Mustard
Festival in California. The store also boasts a cornucopia of other condiments, as
well as an extensive selection of quality kitchen wares, and hosts regular events such
as cooking classes and demonstrations.
Adapted from “Pretty Town on the Rideau Really Cuts the Mustard” by Mark Stevens.
A Land of Milk & Honey
The diverse topography of the Rideau corridor, fertile farmland adjacent to rocky
Canadian Shield, offers excellent foraging grounds for bees. Beekeeping operations
can be found near Kingston, Elgin, Kemptville, Manotick and in Lanark County.
Barry Davies was born into a beekeeping family. After high school he joined the
business his father had started in Seeley’s Bay in 1918. Over the years, his wife Freda
and their three daughters joined in the fray.
Visitors to Davies Apiaries marveled at the perfect six sided cells
created by the bees to store the honey,
and at how the honey was extracted from the wax comb, which was then returned
to the hive for further use by the bees.
Mr. Davies retired from beekeeping a few years ago,
but over the course of his career he realized the
importance of bees as pollinators. The honeybee is
the only commercially viable insect for pollination.
The only plants that don’t require pollination are
grains. Perhaps mankind can exist on grain alone,
but let’s be honest – who would want to?!
[email protected]
Phone/Fax: 613-389-4783
Story Bites
Creativity
Flows Along the Rideau
P
icture Perfect
The Rideau Canal
waterway has long
been a source of
inspiration for
artists of all stripes.
It started with Thomas Burrowes and
other early 19th-century contemporaries
such as John Burrows, Philip Bainbrigge,
James Pattison Cockburn, William T.
Clegg and Henry Francis Ainslie – all
military engineers who received training
in drawing and painting. The images they
created focused on accuracy of scenery,
and were used to plan troop movements
and document progress on construction
projects. Over the years artists such as
William Henry Bartlett, Daniel Fowler,
Caven Atkins, Andre Bieler, Florent
Busschaert, Ben Babelowsky and
countless others have all lent their
touch to depictions of the monumental
waterway.
Adapted from ‘Picture Perfect’ by Greg Burliuk, Kingston
Whig-Standard Staff Writer.
Readeauphiles Rejoice!
Creative writers have used the Rideau Canal as the setting for
a number of stories ranging from children’s adventures to
murder mysteries!
Inspired by her childhood summers at Davis Lock, author Sue Pike conferred with
a number of area writers to publish a collection of 18 mysteries set throughout the
locks, entitled ‘Locked Up’. Vicki Cameron’s historical children’s book ‘Shillings’
is a fictional tale starring Harriet and Esther By – the daughters of Lt.-Col. John
By. Diana Beresford-Kroeger collected and re-told tales shared by her neighbors in
the Merrickville area in a classic Irish style in her book ‘Time Will Tell: Stories of
the Rideau Valley’. Mike and Jane Cole-Hamilton used the friendly chipmunks on
their property near Seeley’s Bay as the basis for their ‘Tails of the Rideau’ series for
children. And Patti Miller used two popular regional tales – the last duel and Oliver’s
ferry – in her historical novel ‘The Ferryman’s Wife’.
Adapted from ‘Call it the ‘Read’-eau’ by Greg Burlik, Kingston Whig-Standard Staff Writer.
Nature Meets Melody
Water and music go together like wine and cheese, and the Rideau Canal
is no exception: it has been celebrated by musicians of many genres.
In 1936, Perth organist W.R. Spence wrote a Viennese-style waltz called ‘Moonlight
on the Rideau’, which became the theme song for the 150th anniversary of the
canal in 1982. Toronto Folk group Tamarack recorded a TV special and a dozen
songs about the Rideau in 1989. Smiths Falls country singer Freddy Dixon wrote
several songs about it, including ‘Last Fatal Duel’ – later recorded by Stompin’ Tom
Connors. Ottawa Celtic musician Frank Cassidy’s
reflective ‘Rideau Ramble’ was part of a Thomas
D’Arcy McGee project about the murder of one of the
Fathers of Confederation. And the Manotick Brass
Ensemble released their CD ‘Rideau Reflections’,
featuring 20 popular melodies that capture the
spirit of the Rideau, in celebration of the waterways’
175th anniversary and nomination/induction as a
UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007.
Adapted from ‘Nature Meets Melody’ by Greg Burlik, Kingston Whig
Standard Staff Writer.
[email protected]
Phone/Fax: 613-389-4783
Story Bites
Rideau
The
:
Legends & Lore, Ghosts & Gore
T
he Last Fatal Duel in
Upper Canada
On June 13 1833, the last fatal duel in
Upper Canada was fought in Perth – the
culmination of a quarrel between friends
and fellow law students John Wilson and
Robert Lyon. Wilson claimed to have
overheard Lyon making disparaging
remarks about Miss Elizabeth Hughes –
who would later become Wilson’s wife.
The allegations led to a public
confrontation in which Lyon physically
assaulted Wilson, after which Wilson
challenged Lyon to a duel. The dueling
party included Lyon’s second, Henry La
Lievre, and Wilson’s second, Simon Fraser
Robertson. A young surgeon by the name
of Reade was also in attendance. The
encounter took place on the banks of the
Tay River, just outside of town. The first
fire proved harmless to both participants,
but at the reported goading of La Lievre,
the pistols were reloaded.
This time the bullet
from Wilson’s
pistol found Lyon’s
heart. He fell dead
on the spot, at 19
years old.
The Haunting of Watson’s Mill
In 1860, lumber and shipping barons Moss Kent Dickinson and Joseph Merrill
Currier built the impressive Watson’s Mill in Manotick – a small village on the
Rideau located 20 kilometres south of Ottawa’s city centre. On March 11, 1861, Mr.
Currier escorted his young wife Ann to the mill for a tour of its facilities on the first
anniversary of its construction. The mill was in full operation for the open housestyle event, and when Ann stepped too close to the main drive shaft her long hoop
skirt was caught in the revolving shaft. She was wrenched off her husband’s arm and
flung against a post, sustaining a fatal blow to the head.
Since that fateful day, there have been many accounts of contact
with Ann’s spirit – which seems unwilling or unable to leave the mill.
Adapted from ‘Ghost Haunts the Mill’ by Rob Tripp, Kingston Whig-Standard Staff Writer.
Skeletons Under the Floorboards
Legend has it that a man named Oliver, who in the early 1800’s ran a ferry service
at current-day Rideau Ferry, had an unusual quirk – he didn’t like taking passengers
across the water at night. He preferred instead to put them up in his house overnight,
sending them on their way at first light. His neighbours seldom saw the travelers
in the morning. When asked, Mr. Oliver would simply reply “They went on their
way at first light. You must have been asleep.” Strangely, many of Oliver’s overnight
guests never made it to their final destinations – victims perhaps, the neighbors
thought, of murderous highway robbers. Years later, long after Mr. Oliver passed
away, a bridge was constructed to replace the ferry service.
When the outbuildings on Oliver’s
property were dismantled to make way
for that bridge, human bones were
found under the floors and in the walls.
The travelers had never left.
Taken from Ken Watson’s adaptation of the tale from the
Parks Canada Rideau Canal Edukit.
Source: Lanark County Genealogical Society
[email protected]
Phone/Fax: 613-389-4783
Story Bites
Rideau
The
:
Celebrations & Diversions
C
elebrating the 175th
Anniversary of the Tay Canal!
2009 will mark the 175th anniversary
of the Tay Canal, a waterway
connecting the Rideau Canal to
the historic town of Perth in Lanark
County.
Hibernation is for the Bears
There are a number of festivals and events held along the Rideau
corridor each year that celebrate the snowy season.
Each year, FebFest draws over 30,000 winter fun-seekers to the outdoor ice rink
at Market Square in downtown Kingston. The centrepiece of the event is the
‘Limestone Classic’, a 4 on 4 shinny hockey tournament featuring ex-NHLers (and
native Kingstonians) Doug Gilmore and Kirk Muller – and other hockey greats.
Winterlude in Ottawa is Canada’s premiere winter celebration, featuring three funfilled weekends of activities including public skating on the world’s largest naturally
frozen rink – the Rideau Canal! Other unique winter events along the corridor
include the International Big Rideau Lake Speed Skating Marathon in Portland and
the Rideau Lakes Cup Dog Sled Race in Newboro.
Three Cheers for Turkeys, Garlic and Dandelions!
The Rideau corridor is home to many charming hamlets that host a
number of unique events, representing the individual character and
history of each community.
It has, in its various incarnations, had
quite a colourful history. Built as a conduit
for commerce, the project was saddled
with problems from the beginning and
the canal never lived up to commercial
expectations. Today, recreational boaters
(especially those who enjoy canoeing
and kayaking) enjoy the pristine beauty
and plentiful wildlife of the Tay – one
of the prettiest paddling routes around!
Anniversary celebrations will take place
throughout the year, in the form of
events such as concerts, exhibitions,
races, regattas and tours.
Every year, on the third Saturday in September, the Turkey Fair in Lyndhurst
celebrates a time when farmers would gather in the village to show and sell their
finest poultry. On the second weekend in August, the air in Perth is fragrant with
the scent of the ‘stinking rose’ as garlicheads of all stripes gather to celebrate and
promote locally grown garlic at the Perth
Garlic Festival. And though it may be
just a weed to some, residents in North
Grenville use the mass-blossoming of this
misfit flower each June as an excuse to
gather in Kemptville and celebrate arts
and culture in their community.
[email protected]
Phone/Fax: 613-389-4783
Story Bites
Rideau
The
:
Story of a Nation
P
erseverance & Sacrifice:
The Human Toll of Building
the Rideau Canal
When construction began on the Rideau
Canal, there were no anesthetics or
antibiotics to treat workers who were
injured or became ill – and the concept
of workplace safety was primitive. All
too frequently workers were killed by the
inherent dangers of their work - or worse,
carelessness.
Why it Was Built
Policymakers had been debating the merits of such a waterway to aid the forest
industry since as early as 1790, but it took a war between the Canadians and
Americans, fought on Canadian soil, to transform the Rideau Canal plans from
economic idea to military reality.
The war of 1812 exposed a glaring weakness in the British defenses
of Upper Canada.
The St. Lawrence River, which was used to ship goods and guns to Kingston,
shared a 200 km stretch of shoreline with an upstate New York teeming with
troops. Kingston was the British naval headquarters – if it could not be armed,
Upper Canada was ripe for the plucking. Championed by such influential players
as Kingston media magnate John Macauley and the Duke of Wellington, the Rideau
Canal cause eventually took off and the massive project was underway.
Adapted from ‘Why it Was Built’ by Brock Harrison, Kingston Whig-Standard Staff Writer.
An estimated
1,000 workers
died between
1826 and 1832.
Explosions, landslides, frostbite and drownings
all took their toll – but the biggest killer of all
was malaria. Striking the canal construction
sites every summer during the so-called
‘sickly season’, it was especially virulent from
Kingston to Newboro where the swamps and
lakes provided fertile breeding grounds for
mosquitoes – though the role that the insects
played in transmitting malaria was not well
understood at the time.
Lt.-Col. John By: Hero or Scoundrel?
Since the completion of the Rideau Canal over 175 years ago, a variety
of adjectives have been used to describe Lt.-Col. John By.
Canadian historians marvel at his accomplishment, while British political leaders of
his own era vilified him as a squanderer and viewed the canal’s budget as a threat to
their credibility as guardians of the public purse. So wherein lies the truth? Original
cost estimates for the building of the canal were much too low – this By quickly
recognized and made known to his superiors. The Board of Ordnance, to whom he
reported, ordered that By not wait for Parliamentary
approval for his frequent budget increases – this
in the interest of pushing forward with the task
at hand. By’s financial reporting to the Board was
by most accounts exemplary, and his spectacular
achievement is now universally recognized. Alas, he
was used as a scapegoat by the British Parliament
and died a broken man in February 1836.
Adapted from ‘The Trial of John By’ by Brock Harrison, Kingston
Adapted from ‘The ‘Sickly Season’’ by Ann Lukits, Kingston
[email protected]
Phone/Fax: 613-389-4783
Story Bites
Rockin’ the Rideau
That’s Right, Wollastonite!
adies and Gentlemen,
L Please
Don Your
Sunglasses…
When you think of sightseeing, you
don’t necessarily think of a quarry. And
yet, from the scenic lookout at the Omya
quarry at Tatlock in Lanark Highlands,
you can take
in a deposit
of calcium
carbonate
whose gleaming
whiteness is
by all accounts
stunning.
The Omya plant in nearby Perth produces
dry ground calcium carbonate used in paint,
plastics and building products – while the slurry
grades are used in paper and packaging.
Information taken from www.omya-na.com.
Limestone & Granite
The waterway traverses flat agricultural lands
from Ottawa to Lower Rideau Lake. This land
is underlain by limestone that was once an
ancient seabed. The soils are rich, and the land
gently rolling. South of Lower Rideau Lake, the
landscape changes dramatically. From this point
almost to its southern terminus, the waterway
cuts through the ancient gneisses and granite of a
southern extension of the Canadian Shield known
as the Frontenac Axis. The ancient Shield rock
outcroppings create a maze of lakes and channels,
dramatic cliffs, and steep, rocky shorelines
interspersed with marshes and wetlands.
Those driving the southern end of the signed Rideau Heritage Route may notice a
set of large letters reading ‘CanadianWollastonite.com’, flanked by two sixteen-foot
Inuksuk, and wonder - what the heck is wollastonite anyway? A naturally occurring
mineral, wollastonite forms when impure limestone is subjected to high temperature
and pressure. Its’ commercially valuable characteristics include high brightness and
whiteness, and low moisture and oil absorbtion properties. It is used in a variety of
industrial applications including ceramics, friction products, metallurgy, paint filler
and plastics.
Canadian Wollastonite is currently developing a deposit located one
km south of Seeley’s Bay, straddling the boundary between the City of
Kingston and the municipality of Leeds and the Thousand Islands.
The size of the deposit is estimated at nine million tons, and when it is fully developed
it will be the first active source of wollastonite production in Canada.
FUN FACT: The boulders used to build the first Inuksuk (lovingly referred to as
‘Rock’) have been around since North America tore apart from Africa!
Information taken from www.canadianwollastonite.com.
Mining: A Backyard Industry?
Small-scale mining was once a common way for farmers in the Rideau region to
supplement their income. Many shallow excavations can be found at locations
throughout the region, remnants of low-tech operations where pits and trenches
were laboriously dug by hand. Iron, mica and other minerals were often hand sorted
to save on shipping costs and sent by rail or by barge along the Rideau Canal to
buyers in markets near and far.
Recently voted one of the ‘Seven Wonders of Lanark County’ by
area residents, the Silver Queen mine is located at Murphy’s Point
Provincial Park in Tay Valley Township.
In operation from 1903 to about 1920, the mine was one of the larger operations in
the area, producing mica, feldspar and apatite. A guided tour of the Silver Queen is a
great way to learn about the history of mining in this part of the Canadian Shield.
For more information, visit www.friendsofmurphyspoint.ca and
www.ontarioparks.com/English/murp.html.
[email protected]
Phone/Fax: 613-389-4783
Story Bites
Rideau
The
:
A Tradition of Fun!
H
istoric Holes
There are many challenging and scenic golf
courses along the Rideau Canal, but Links
O’Tay (now called Perth Golf Course)
has a unique claim to a piece of golfing
history. Here, golfers of all stripes have the
opportunity to play three holes that have
been seeing golfing action since 1890 – the
oldest holes in Canada. The course is now
modernized and consists of 18 holes, but
the ‘original three’ – now holes number one,
eight and nine – would still look familiar to
the farmers who designed and built them
nearly 120 years ago.
Aside from the fact
that the greens are
no longer trimmed
by livestock, little
has changed.
Playing this course is a great way for golfing
enthusiasts to bring the history of the game to
life, while enjoying a day on the banks of the
winding Tay River.
FUN FACT: The first clubhouse at the site
was a cheese factory, where cheese makers
created what was at the time the world’s
largest cheese – Perth’s contribution to the
1873 World’s Fair.
Visit the Perth Golf Course/Links O’Tay
website at www.perthgolf.com.
Paddle Back in Time
For the past five years, the Rideau Roundtable has partnered with Paddle Canada
and Parks Canada to host interpretive tours along the Rideau waterway.
These tours take place in 34-foot replica voyageur canoes, complete with
knowledgeable and enthusiastic guides in full voyageur costume!
With up to 36 participants paddling the two canoes (up to 18 per canoe), the tours
explore both the natural and historical aspects of the Rideau. Paddling is leisurely
and instruction and PFDs are provided – making this an educational activity suitable
for all ages. A typical tour lasts 1.5 hours and involves being ‘locked through’ a set of
locks on the Rideau Canal, as well as exploring one of the significant wetland areas
that can be found along the waterway. However, tours can also be customized to meet
the needs of a particular group.
Voyageur Canoe Tours are often booked by groups organizing events along the
Rideau and made available to the general public. To see the current schedule of
bookings, visit www.rideauheritageroute.ca.
Anglers Take the Bait
Since the late 19th century, ardent anglers the world over have heeded the call of
the Rideau Canal. From presidents to premiers, financial titans to TV stars, all were
dizzy over the prospect of experiencing some of the finest fishing the pastime had
to offer.
William Howard Taft, the 27th American president, was quite content
to sit in an armchair on the dock at Hotel Kenney, smoking cigars and
fishing all day.
He visited multiple times in the early 1900’s. Make no mistake – once the Rideau
discovered tourism (and vice-versa), fishing became the lifeline that kept afloat
scores of seasonal workers and the businesses that employed them. Ample lake trout,
small- and large-mouth bass, pike, pickerel and panfish kept a host of diehards – the
vast majority of them American – coming back faithfully for decades. Today, most
fishing lodges in the region boast at least one fourth generation guest.
Adapted from ‘Anglers Take the Bait’ by Patrick Kennedy, Kingston Whig-Standard Staff Writer.
[email protected]
Phone/Fax: 613-389-4783
Story Bites
Rideau
The
Corridor:
Eastern Ontario’s Playground
R
hythm of the Rideau
Boaters in the know will tell you that when
Lt.-Col. John By built the Rideau Canal,
he built more than just a series of locks
– he built an experience. Lockmasters
and experienced canal workers are like
traffic cops, indicating where they want
each boat to come to rest in the locks.
On busy days they may have 9 or 10
boats of various sizes and shapes,
ranging from tiny canoes to large yachts,
all moving up and down together.
Happy Trails to You!
There’s no question about it, the Rideau corridor is a hikers’ paradise.
What better way is there to enjoy the natural beauty and wildlife of such an ecologically
diverse region than by exploring one of its’ many scenic trails? The longest trail in
the area is the Rideau Trail, whose total length exceeds 380 kms! It is also amongst
the regions oldest trails, having been established in 1971. Stretching all the way
from Kingston to Ottawa, it crosses terrain ranging from placid farmland to rugged
Canadian Shield and can be used for hiking, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
The Cataraqui Trail, part of the Trans-Canada trail (the world’s longest trail system at
over 18,000 kms), is a newer multi-use trail intended for hikers, cross-country skiers,
cyclists, equestrians and snowmobilers. It extends from Strathcona in the south west
to Smiths Falls in the north east, following the former Canadian National Railway line
for a distance of 104 kms. A variety of shorter trails can also be found in the regions
Provincial Parks and Conservation Areas.
For more information and related links, check out the ‘Rideau Hiking Trails’ section
of our online Travel Guide at www.rideauheritageroute.ca.
Luxury Paddling
The Rideau is home to excellent flatwater paddling.
With over 1,090 kms of shoreline, you could paddle for weeks and
still not see all that this beautiful waterway has to offer!
A sudden crosswind can make locking an
adventure in itself! Long cables extending
down the lock walls provide places for boaters
to secure their ropes, which are used to keep
the vessels under control at all times. No
matter how many times a boater has locked
through, it’s always a unique feeling when
your boat ascends or descends due to the
manipulation of gravity and buoyancy. Falling
into the unhurried rhythm of the Rideau and
taking the time to enjoy all the little surprises
along the way, these are the defining aspects of
the Rideau experience.
Adapted from ‘From Kingston to Clear Lake’ by Paul
Schliesmann, Kingston Whig-Standard Reporter.
Plenty of islands and bays on the larger lakes offer shelter for paddlers, making this
a safe and easy way to explore the entire region. And can you really get much closer
to nature? That being said, there’s a simple way to add a little decadence to a Rideau
paddling adventure. The region features a multitude of B&B’s, many of them housed
in beautiful historic buildings on or within easy portaging distance of the waterfront.
These unique getaways offer luxurious accommodation and gourmet breakfasts to
tired and hungry paddlers. Many of them offer pick-up services at the waterfront if
you’ve paddled yourself silly! And most are located in or near one of the Rideau’s
charming waterfront communities, where you can find unique shopping, dining and
sightseeing opportunities.
For detailed paddling itineraries visit
www.rideauheritageroute.ca.
[email protected]
Phone/Fax: 613-389-4783
Story Bites
Cast &Characters
of the Rideau Canal, Past & Present
T
he Accordion Man
Ray Laforest worked as a canalman on
the historic Rideau Canal for 18 years
prior to his retirement in 2000, becoming
something of a legend himself in the
process. His career on the canal took
him to the Kingston Mills, Narrows and
Jones Falls lockstations. During his time
at Jones Falls, Ray became known for
serenading boaters with his accordion
during lockages. His cheerful melodies
made him an instant celebrity.
Vacationers would
return year after
year in hopes of
once again hearing
the sounds of the
‘accordion man’.
His love for music led to the creation of a group
called ‘The Melodymakers’ which included
his beloved wife Claudette on keyboard and
vocals. He also owned a collection of over 400
accordions, spanning more than a century
and a half of musical history – thought to be
the largest accordion collection in Canada.
Ray passed away in 2008, but will be forever
cherished as the musical canalman who
embodied the relaxed and playful spirit of the
Rideau like no other.
The Rideau’s Confection Connection
Born in Scotland in 1796, John Redpath emigrated to Canada at age 20. Disembarking
at Quebec City, nearly penniless, he walked to Montreal in search of work – finding
employment in the construction industry. Having a solid work ethic and keen
business sense, Redpath quickly built a sizeable construction business and became
involved with major projects such as the construction of the Lachine Canal – which
essentially turned Montreal into one of the largest ports in North America. It was
this work in particular that caught the eye of Lt. Col. John By, the man charged with
building the monumental Rideau Canal, who chose Redpath for the difficult work
at Jones Falls. Redpath went on to other iconic building projects such as the Notre
Dame Basilica in Montreal and founded the Canada Sugar Refinery, which exists
to this day as Redpath Sugar. In addition to being an influential and successful
businessman, John Redpath was also a family man, and a passionate supporter of
charity and community services.
He is truly a Canadian icon – with a Rideau connection!
Aye Aye, Captain Lance!
Lance Jervis-Read owns and operates Classic Rideau Cruises out of Chaffey’s Locks,
taking visitors to Jones Falls and back in his 30-foot electric cruiser ‘Chuckles’.
Lance and Chuckles are well known and loved by canal workers, locals and frequent
visitors alike. How they arrived in this corner of the world is an amazing story. A
native Briton, Lance came to Canada in 1977 with his young family to escape political
and economic turmoil in his homeland, settling in Pickering (cottage country at that
time). In 1986, Lance – a shipwright, carpenter and electrician – purchased an old
Maine lobster boat for $1500. For eight years he lovingly restored her and in 1993,
Chuckles was ready for her maiden voyage.
Lance wanted a route with no backtracking, and decided to travel
the Rideau Canal and the Ottawa and St. Lawrence Rivers - a journey
that would shape his future in ways he could never have anticipated.
During a stop on the Rideau in the tiny hamlet of Portland, Lance told the locals that
he would be back. By 1996, he and his wife Mercedes were operating weekend boat
tours out of a Portland marina. With the weekly drive to and from Pickering wearing
on the couple, and the booming town of Pickering no longer the quaint countryside
they had fallen in love with, in 1998 the couple purchased a home in Portland (now
Portland Bay Bed & Breakfast, run by Mercedes) and the rest, as they say, is history!
[email protected]
Phone/Fax: 613-389-4783
Story Bites
Rideau
The
:
Stories from the Past
A
Deadly Descent
On July 16, 1869, Jones Falls lockstation
witnessed what was probably the worst
tragedy in the operation history of the
Rideau Canal. The Kingston-bound
tugboat Francis went through the locks
and crew waited below on Whitefish lake
for the two barges they were towing to
decend after them. With the first barge
floating in the middle lock, the second
barge was moved into the top chamber.
Suddenly the upper gate of the
middle lock gave way, and the two
barges went smashing and crashing
their way to the bottom - ripping out
the massive oak gates as they went.
The Life of an Early Lockmaster
Little is known about the lives of the earliest guardians of the Rideau Canal
lockstations, except for Jones Falls lockmaster Peter Sweeney. his personal journal,
documenting the years 1839 through 1850, had sat for nearly 100 years amongst
lockmaster work records until its true historical value was discovered.
This fascinating and sometimes troubling depiction chronicles
everything from mundane daily duties to the family’s descent into
alcoholism and subsequent breakup.
You can read excerpts from the diary and glimpse the life of the Sweeney family
at the restored ‘Sweeney House’ lockmaster’s residence at Jones Falls lockstation,
staffed with costumed interpreters during the summer season.
Adapted from ‘The Early Lockmasters’ by Paul Shliesmann, Kingston Whig-Standard Staff Writer.
Healing Powers
Anyone who has vacationed on the Rideau can attest to its restorative powers.
During the First World War, those powers were put to the test when Agnes Richardson
of Kingston built a hospital on two islands (joined by a small bridge) on Indian Lake
to care for shell-shocked soldiers. She secured government support, orchestrated
the construction of the hospital and hired a young doctor out of Harvard – Dr.
Clarence Farrer. The rehabilitation centre opened in May, 1916. Today, little
remains on Fettercain – the family’s name for the islands that on today’s navigation
charts bear the name Richardson.
Yet this little refuge was a thriving place during the great war, with
hundreds of soldiers seeking solace from the tragedies of combat.
In his 1917 report, Farrer wrote: “The community life afforded by this camp provides
such intimate contact with the individual case that it is, in many circumstances,
comparatively easy to discover and eliminate the disturbing elements which
ordinarily retard convalescence.” In other words, a little rest and relaxation on the
Rideau worked wonders.
Two of the four men on the first barge were
killed. A coroners’ inquest placed the blame
for the tragedy on the ‘unsound state’ of
the gates due to ‘negligence of Government
officials’. With this, the young government
of Canada learned a hard lesson about the
importance of canal upkeep.
Adapted from ‘A Wonder of Canada’ by Paul Schliesmann,
Kingston Whig-Standard Staff Writer.
Adapted from ‘Healing Powers’ by Paul Shliesmann, Kingston Whig-Standard Staff Writer.
[email protected]
Phone/Fax: 613-389-4783
Story Bites
Rideau
The
:
Did You Know?
The Rideau’s Scottish Sibling
In 1993, the Rideau Canal was twinned
with the Caledonia Canal in Scotland.
The two share a number of similarities,
and the objective of twinning these canals
was to create a framework for the sharing
of knowledge between the organizations
responsible for their maintenance and
management. It also became an avenue for
cross-promotion of the canals as tourism
destinations.
We Stand On Guard For Thee
Four
blockhouses
were built at strategic
locations along the
Rideau. They were
designed to defend
the canal against
attack by the US.
They still stand today,
at the Kingston Mills,
Newboro, Narrows
and
Merrickville
lockstations.
Need a Lift?
The Smiths Falls Combined lockstation, one
of only three hydraulic lockstations on the
Rideau Canal, has the largest single lift on
the system at 26 feet. Built in 1972-1974,
it replaced a flight of three hand-operated
locks – which is still intact and can be viewed
by visitors. The other hydraulic stations are
Black Rapids and Newboro.
Now That Deserves a
Gold Watch!
Kilmarnock lockstation has the distinction
of having had the longest serving lockmaster
in the history of the Rideau Canal. William
Newson retired in 1921 after 50 years
of service. He was preceded by his father
George, who retired in 1871.
Poonamawha?
Initially known as ‘First Rapids’ in honour
of its’ position at the first rapids on the
Rideau River, the Poonamalie lockstation
picked up its’ more unusual moniker in the
late 1850’s. The origins of this distinctive
name are uncertain. One theory is that one
of the Royal Engineers found the cedarlined banks of the Rideau at this location
reminiscent of a previous posting location
in India, which bore a similar name.
A Commuters Dream
Two original lockmaster’s houses are still
serving their intended purpose at the Upper
and Lower Nicholsons and Poonamalie
lockstations.
The Haunted Lockmaster’s
House
It is rumoured that the lockmaster’s house
at Upper Nicholsons is haunted by the
ghost of a young girl who was murdered by
her father after she disobeyed him.
It’s All Downhill From
Here...
Newboro and Narrows lockstations mark
the highpoint of the Rideau Canal system.
From here, water flows down to the
Ottawa River (an approximate 80 metre
drop) and to Lake Ontario in Kingston
(an approximate 53 metre drop).
The Straw That Almost
Broke The Hog’s Back
Construction of the damn at Hog’s
Back lockstation was one of the most
challenging projects undertaken
during the building of the Rideau
Canal. It took four tries for canal
workers to construct a dam high and
strong enough to hold back the spring
floodwaters. The first three attempts
ended in disaster, nearly leading Lt.
Col. By to abandon the project.
[email protected]
Phone/Fax: 613-389-4783
Story Bites
History Comes Alive
at
F
Fort Henry
Ablaze With Glory!
ort Fright
Shortly before midnight on October 9th,
1867, an eerie cloud descended over
the British garrison at Kingston. Inside,
clocks ceased to chime and all things
human gave way to occult beings and
nightmarish light forms. As if moved by
some supernatural force, the huge ironclad entrance gates closed… sealing the
fortress like a tomb. Only the haunting
screams of the tortured souls forever
trapped inside could be heard by those
with the courage to approach. For 141
years, no one dared enter… until now.
In 2008, Fort Henry
launched Fort
Fright - the largest
‘scare attraction’
in Eastern Ontario.
The six week haunting extravaganza ran from
October 10 to November 15 and featured
a multitude of movie-quality animatronics,
special effects, intense sound and lighting and
an army of costumed interpreters. Fort Fright
is slated to become an annual event, and
based on the first-year response (it opened to
rave reviews from visitors and media alike), it
is anticipated to grow in size and scope each
year. Stay tuned, gals and ghouls!
www.fortfright.com
The Thin Red Line. As solid as the foundation they march on. Fort Henry Guard
crimson… called to order by the bugle, fife and drum.
Eyes and bayonets fixed. The enemy dead ahead. Enfields afire and cannons
ablaze. Smoking guns fill the parade square. All senses say it’s 1867.
Fort Henry National Historic Site of Canada heats up Wednesday evenings throughout July
& August with its’ world famous Sunset Ceremonies! The Fort Henry Guard Drums, Drill
Squad and Artillery Detachment relate an impressively interpreted 1.5 hour story of 1860’s
military music, drill and artillery maneuvers. The ceremonies invoke patriotism and pride
as the performers, college and university students, demonstrate their passion and skill for
the craft. The Fort Henry Guard steward a world-renowned tradition that began in 1955.
Visit www.forthenry.com for more information. Adapted from the Fort Henry 2008 Visitors’ Guide.
Get Your Tattoo On
In the 1800’s, Tattoo was sounded each evening at dusk, telling troops to return from
the town and tavern to barracks for the night. Today, Tattoo has transformed into a
showcase of military music, drills and demonstrations long lost in time. Fort Henry hosts
an annual Tattoo in recognition of those that have served our country. Past performers
have included the Ceremonial Guard Band from Parliament Hill, the bagpipes of the Air
Command Pipes and Drums, the RCMP Pipes and Drums, and many others.
Tattoo 2009 will be a salute to the centennial of flight, with a finale
featuring over 250 performers – a spectacle not to be missed!
Adapted from the Fort Henry 2008 Visitors’ Guide and www.forthenry.com.
Dine like an Officer
Be served by soldier servants as guests of the Fort Henry officers’ mess from the 1800s.
At the appropriate time the bugle will sound announcing dinner is served. The Mess
Captain will introduce your menu and offer some tongue-in-cheek instructions in
mess etiquette and Victorian decorum. Note that guests are asked not to say please
or thank you to the soldier servants but to treat the servants as servants would have
been treated. Simply snap your fingers for service! Reservations and more information
available at www.foodandheritage.com/barracks
Travel back in time as guests of the Officers’ mess at Fort Henry from
the time of Queen Victoria!
Adapted in part from the Fort Henry 2008 Visitors’ Guide.
[email protected]
Phone/Fax: 613-389-4783
Story Bites
Rideau
The
:
On the Water
C
lassic Rideau Cruises
Looking for a fun and sustainable way to
enjoy the scenery of the Rideau Waterway,
and a knowledgeable tour guide to bring
the experience to life? Look no further
than Captain Lance and his Classic
Rideau Cruises aboard 30-foot electric
cruiser ‘Chuckles’, a restored Maine
lobster boat. In 2008 Lance installed an
electric motor to reduce noise and fumes,
allowing Chuckles to approach birds
and wildlife more closely. The benefits
are twofold, an enhanced experience
for his always-satisfied customers and
a lessened impact
on
the
delicate
ecosystem that is
the Rideau. The four
hour tours run from
Chaffey’s Locks to
Jones Falls and back,
passing through the
Davis
Lockstation
both ways.
Locals and visitors who frequent the
popular resort area will tell you that
this is the most beautiful stretch of
the Rideau – and though they may be biased,
it’s hard to argue once you’ve experienced it
for yourself! Tours can be coupled with lunch
or dinner at the historic Opinicon Hotel, one
of the oldest resort hotels in Eastern Ontario.
Captain Lance and his wife Mercedes also
operate nearby Portland Bay Bed & Breakfast.
For more information, visit them online at
home.istar.ca/~boattour.
Happy Houseboating!
By all accounts, the Rideau Canal is a charming destination for houseboaters.
The waterfront is jeweled with historic cities, towns and villages, and the route
punctuated by 26 lockstations – most of them still operated by hand as they were
in 1832 when the canal first opened. Verdant lawns, large shady trees and friendly,
knowledgeable staff are the familiar hallmarks of a Rideau Canal lockstation – and
with most of them offering overnight mooring, it is difficult to imagine a more idyllic
place to park your floating cottage for the night.
An ideal family vacation, houseboating is the perfect way to experience
the friendly, laid-back vibe of the Rideau and is quickly picking up
steam in the region.
A number of houseboat rental companies are ready to equip vacationers with
everything they need for a safe, relaxing and memorable journey.
Visit Big Rideau Lake Boat Rentals at web.mac.com/
heatherheins or Waterway Getaway Houseboat
Vacations at waterwaygetaway.com to start planning
your trip today! Additional rental company listings
can be found on RideauHeritageRoute.ca
under Things to See and Do > On the Water.
Rideau Canal Heritage Cruise Line
Relive the bygone era of genteel river cruising on a single or
multi-day cruise on the twin-deck General Brock III.
Captain Andy of 1000 Islands and Seaway Cruises and his friendly crew will
entertain, inform and delight you on a fascinating tour of the Rideau Canal. Check
out the Spring Bloom and Fall Colours cruises and experience the Rideau at its most
vibrant and beautiful! A full day cruise includes 5 ½ to 6 ½ hours of cruising, a
sumptuous buffet lunch and return transportation to the port of embarkation. Travel
between the historic Rideau communities of Chaffey’s Locks, Newboro, Smiths
Falls, Perth, Merickville and Manotick, lock through at hand-operated lockstations,
experience the engineering marvels at Kingston Mills and Jones Falls – there is so
much to see and enjoy on the Rideau!
For more information visit 1000islandscruises.com.
[email protected]
Phone/Fax: 613-389-4783
Story Bites
Rideau
The
:
Hidden Treasures
S
cenic Lookouts
When visiting a region like the Rideau
corridor, where there is a beautiful
landscape around every corner,
there’s no better way to get the best
bang for your sightseeing buck than to
uncover those special outlooks where
the locals go to connect with nature.
Sparkling Gems
With over 200 kilometres of lakes, rivers and canal cuts, water seems to be everywhere
you look along the Rideau. But there are a few less obvious watery attractions worth
seeking out on a visit to the area. Take in the waterfall at Jones Falls, which can be
reached by following the path from either the lower flight of locks or the upper lock,
past the lockmasters’ house.
Look to your right for a sight straight out of Shangri-la!
The Westport Spring is another little gem, located at the foot of Spring St. at Westport
Harbour. Bubbling merrily from its underground source into Upper Rideau Lake,
it has been a focal point of the village since pioneer days. Artifacts found at the site
indicate that it was once used as a campsite by Aboriginal peoples. Other watery
treasures include ‘The Swale’, a class one wetland found in the midst of an urban
environment in the Town of Smiths Falls, and the Rideau Migratory Bird Sanctuary
– an 800 hectare haven located west of Merrickville. The Friends of the Rideau offer
electric boat tours of the sanctuary – visit rideaufriends.com/harriet-by.html for
more information.
Ryan’s Well
Sometimes the real jewels of a community are the people who live there. The people
of Kemptville, a town in the municipality of North Grenville near the northern end of
the Rideau corridor, know this to be true first hand.
One of these hidden treasures is Rock Dunder
in Morton – easily accessed by going west
on Stanley Lash Lane from Hwy 15. Rising
275 feet above Morton Bay, with trails leading
to one of the highest points of land in the
area, it provides breathtaking views of the
surrounding lakes and woodlands. Another
well-known lookout is Spy Rock at Foley
Mountain Conservation Area, located just
north of Westport, east off County Rd. 10.
Here you will find spectacular views of Upper
Rideau Lake and the Village of Westport
(with it’s many church spires), located some
65 metres below. Also not to be missed is the
view of Kingston’s harbour from Fort Henry
Hill at the southern end of the Rideau,
accessed via Fort Henry Drive off Highway 2.
Happy viewing, Rideau explorers!
Kemptville is home to Ryan Hreljac, a young man who has made a huge
difference in the lives of others – both here in Canada and abroad.
As a six-year-old Grade One student, Ryan learned from his teacher that people in
some parts of the world suffer greatly due to a lack of access to clean water. He
decided that he wanted to help, and by doing chores over the next four months he
raised $70. In 1999 when Ryan was 7, his first well was built at a school in a Ugandan
village. Since then the Ryan’s Well Foundation has gone on to build 484 wells in 16
countries, which serve over 611,512 people. Ryan has been honoured with many
awards and distinctions and the Foundation that bears his name has received much
media coverage. The Rideau Heritage Route would like to congratulate Ryan on his
efforts, which have undoubtedly inspired many people to make a difference in the
lives of others.
For more information visit ryanswell.ca.
[email protected]
Phone/Fax: 613-389-4783
Story Bites
Rideau Ancestors
First Nations
inding Your Rideau
F Ancestors
In addition to English and French
Canadians, we know that many of the
men who helped to construct the Rideau
Canal were British, Irish and Scottish
immigrants. However, no master lists
of canal workers were kept – and little
is known about immediate post-canal
settlement in the region. Therefore
researching your ancestors who may have
helped to build the Rideau can involve a
fair bit of leg work.
A great place to start is a visit to the Library
and Archives Canada, who hold most of the
original records regarding canal construction
(not available online). You may also find
helpful information in one of the many wellresearched history books written by local
authors. Internet resources that can help
you in your search include Ontario GenWeb,
the Ontario Genealogy Society website, and
for those of Irish descent, the ‘Bytown or
Bust’ website.
If you look in the
right places for
your own Rideau
ancestors, you
just might find
exactly what you’re
searching for!
Check out ‘About the Rideau > Genealogy’
at RideauHeritageRoute.ca or Ken
Watson’s ‘My Rideau Ancestor’ page at
Rideau-Info.com/canal/history for
information and links to point you in the
right direction.
Archaeological records indicate that humans inhabited the area near present day
Perth, on the shores of the ancient Champlain Sea, as far back as 8,000 BC. Two
major tribal groups are believed to have inhabited the lands of the Rideau region:
the Iroquois and the Algonquin. Archaeological and linguistic evidence indicates
that these two groups had separate roots and were not related. The people who
actually populated this region were known as the Algonquin, although there were
no permanent settlements in the area traversed by the Rideau Waterway.
A “hunter-gatherer” culture, they used the Rideau as a source of food,
setting up hunting and fishing camps throughout the region.
Learn more about the past and present of Canada’s aboriginal people and their
Rideau connections with the fun and interactive “Rideau Canal Aboriginal Explorer”
experience, which includes a visit to the Aboriginal Experiences village on Victoria
Island in the heart of downtown Ottawa.
Visit
AboriginalExperiences.com for more information.
Gone But Not Forgotten
Seeing the names chiseled into worn gravestones at a historic burial ground
personalizes the plight of our forefathers like few experiences can. Much can be
learned about local history here as well.
The Rideau corridor is home to many old cemeteries, where each
marker tells a fascinating tale.
Here are just a few…
Cataraqui Cemetery is the final resting place of Canada’s first Prime Minister Sir
John A. Macdonald, poet Charles Sangster, Antarctic explorer Thomas MacLeod
and Dr. James Sampson – one of the founders of Kingston General Hospital and
Queen’s University. St. Paul’s Churchyard has been a graveyard since about 1790 and
contains the graves of many of Kingston’s original English families, including the
Stuarts, the Cartwrights and the descendants of Molly Brant. McGuigan Cemetery
in Merrickville is one of the oldest burying grounds not only along the Rideau River
but in Eastern Ontario. It was used for approximately one hundred years between
1800 and 1900. Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa is a National Historic Site where
prominent Canadians such as Sir Robert Borden, Sir Sandford Fleming, the Fuller
family & Tommy Douglas rest.
[email protected]
Phone/Fax: 613-389-4783

TheRideau - Rideau Heritage Route

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