Gananoque
Gananoque, the gateway to the 1000 Islands, serves as the anchor point for the Fall Fairs Driving tour. In 1789, Joel Stone, a loyalist from Connecticut, was deeded a land grant of 600 acres on the west bank of the Gananoque River. By 1792, he had constructed a mill, beginning the Gananoque industry. The origin of the name "Gananoque" is unclear. However, the earliest written version is found in the Governor General of New France, Count Frontenac, who 1673 listed the river as "Onnondokoui," possibly "where two rivers meet". Other Loyalists began settling the area, forming an initial nucleus of Gananoque. In 1812, Gananoque was raided by men from Sackets Harbor, New York, who burned several houses and a storehouse and shot Stone's wife, Abigail, in the hip. Stone was then levied for a wooden block house to be built, which would stand until 1859. The decades following the war saw the domination of the McDonald brothers, Charles and John, who by 1815 had purchased the mills and would control Industry in the town for several decades. It was their home, built in 1811, now serving as the Gananoque town hall on King Street. Other services began popping up, with the first school built in 1816 and the four churches in the 1830s and 40s. The river facilitated the development of Industry, quadrupling the town's population from 1000 to 4000 in fifty years. During this time, Gananoque earned the nickname "Little Birmingham," peaking at over forty factories on the river. Some of the notable factories in the area were the Jones Shovel Factory, the Bulloch Rivet Factory, and, most notably, the Link Factory. It was built by Edwin Link, who created Fighter Pilot trainers and built a factory in Gananoque to sell to the British and Canadian governments. They were used extensively during the war by the Canadian Air Force, with Gananque being the only factory in Canada. Also, a significant industry at the time was tourism. Following President Ulysses S. Grant's visit to the 1000 Islands in the summer of 1872, many wealthy industrialists from larger cities built summer properties on the Islands. The most notable include Castle Rest, built by George Pullman, designer of the Pullman Railroad car, and George Boldt, owner of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel and the likely creator of the 1000 Islands Dressing. Many lavish Victorian hotels and homes were built in Gananoque, including the Gananoque Inn, on Stone Street, looking out over the water. Also during this time, boats for tourists began to cruise the islands. Industry and tourism intersected, with a substantial boat-building business appearing, building ships from the small St. Lawrence Skiff for personal usage to the Thousand Islander cruise ships enjoyed by thousands to this day.An exciting activity to do in Gananoque during the fall is the GAN arts fest, which runs from September 19th to the 21st. Activities include a variety of Art demonstrations, pottery, music, storytelling, and others.
Lansdowne
In 1787, Oliver Landon, a United Empire Loyalist, traveled and settled through what is now Lansdowne, becoming the first settler to go through the bush instead of the St Lawrence River. In 1812, The King's Highway was built as a stagecoach route to link Toronto (then York) to Montreal. Lansdowne served as a stopping place, with an Inn called the McKelvey Inn, which still stands today. The village was named for the Marquis of Lansdowne, Prime Minister from 1782-1783. In 1856, with the construction of the Grand Trunk Railway one mile north, the village moved around the railway station. While now only 17 minutes from Gananoque, the whole railway used to take 14 hours! Many of the buildings were picked up and moved. In 1890, the Town hall was built, serving as the local hub for farmers. Today, much of Lansdowne's original 19th-century heritage remains, with old churches, homes, and businesses dotting the town. One notable building is the Beatty house, owned by Dr. Elizabeth Rabb Beatty, who was one of the first woman to earn her education in medicine while also serving as a medical missionary in India.Lansdowne's premier event is the annual Lansdowne Fair, now in its 160th year. The fair has a strong agricultural presence from July 17th to July 20th. Some of its notable events include the antique Tractor and Machine display, a variety of horse shows, and tug-of-war.
Mallorytown
Rustic Mallorytown, located only 25 minutes from Gananoque, contains a unique Canadian heritage. The Malloy family arrived from Vermont in 1784 by the river but decided to move inland for better farmland. During the War of 1812, the area was used as a safe passage for the British with a garrison on Chimney Island. Part of the building (namely the chimney) remains a national historic site to this day.Mallorytown was home to the Mallorytown Glassworks, built in 1839. It was an ambitious attempt to build the first glassworks in Canada. The works lasted only a year, with only a few very valuable pieces still in existence. Today, a museum of glassworks in the Mallory stagecoach building dates back to the 1850s. Today, Mallorytown occupies a heritage connection to both the St. Lawrence River and the farming communities of Eastern Ontario.
Brockville
In charming Brockville lies the heart of Leeds and Grenville, only 40 minutes east of Gananoque. Deeded land in 1785 by William Buell and brothers Daniel and Charles Jones were granted land plots on what is now today Brockville. Buell laid out a town plan in 1802, forming the downtown nucleus of Brockville. Planning was followed by constructing a Courthouse and Jail, creating the Courthouse Green, and cementing Brockville as the leading town in Leeds County. The original name for the town was Elizabethtown, which was changed to Brockville in 1812 after General Issac Brock in honor of his victory at the Battle of Queenston Heights during the War of 1812. In 1813, the Americans raided the town, freeing American prisoners and burning the barracks.Brockville held a strong tradition of self-governance, becoming the first town to be granted self-government in Upper Canada in 1830. During the mid-19th century, many of the City's notable heritage sites began popping up. The courthouse was completed in 1844 and is currently surrounded by many neo-Gothic churches and sandstone buildings. Brockville developed as a popular stopping place for steamships, necessitating railroad construction. The main port of call, Blockhouse Island, had previously served as a quarantine zone for a cholera outbreak in 1832. This growth resulted in the construction of the Brockville Railway tunnel in 1860, a spur of the Grand Trunk Railway connecting the Brockville waterfront to Ottawa. At over 500 meters long, the tunnel provided rail service to Blockhouse Island for 110 years until service ceased in 1970. The tunnel reopened in 2017 for public access. A notable resident of the town was George Taylor Fulford, a Businessman and Senator. He created Dr. Williams's Pink Pills for Pale People, a "medicine" claiming to cure chorea. His house is now Fulford Place, a beautiful Edwardian mansion serving as a museum.The Brockville Museum hosts an interesting monthly event. Founded in 1981 in a 19th-century home, the Museum serves as a conduit for local history. The Museum hosts History Talks on the Second Thursday of the Month. In August, there will be a talk on the history of rail in Brockville, in September, on the hospital in Brockville, and in October, on George T. Fulford and the Pink Pills for Pale People.Also, on September 13th, Brockville will host the Annual Eastern Ontario Old Paper Show. Vendors will sell old Postcards, Stamps, Books, and general postal history at the beautiful 19th-century Wall Street United Church.
Prescott
Beautiful Prescott, only 45 minutes from Gananoque, provides an excellent view into the military history of 19th-century Upper Canada. Prescott stands along where the St. Lawrence River is narrow and faces the town of Ogdensburg, New York. The French had a supply depot near Prescott named La Galette as a stopping point between Montreal and Fort Frontenac during the 17th century. Later, in 1749, the French built Fort De la Presentacion, where Ogdensburg stands today, although it was quickly abandoned as it was considered indefensible. During the French and Indian War, the river was host to the Battle of the Thousand Islands, where a British-Iroqouis force defeated a French force on land and sea.Major Edward Jessup was given a land grant where the town would stand in 1810 as a reward for his military service. He named the area Prescott after Robert Prescott, the Governor General of Canada. During the War of 1812 outbreak, Fort Wellington was built on the site to prepare for an attack against the American town of Ogdensburg on the other side of the river. While a direct attack on Ogdensburg never came, the garrison at Fort Wellington would pursue an American advance on Montreal, meeting at the battle of Crysler's Farm. The smaller British and Canadian forces defeated the Americans, winning a crucial victory against the Americans. Nowadays, Fort Wellington is a National Historic Site and is open to the public for visits.The area saw action again in 1838 during the Upper Canada Rebellion when the Canadian Militia repelled an American paramilitary invasion by the Hunters Lodge. The Battle of the Windmill, as it is known, was a bloody affair fought over several days 3 kilometers to the east of Prescott, resulting in the Hunters Lodge being crushed. The battlefield is still preserved today and open to the public, with the occasional historical reenactment occuring. Prescott was a vital linking point between Kingston, Montreal, and Ottawa, allowing the town to prosper in trade during the 19th century. The town served as the terminus of the Ottawa spur of the Grand Trunk Railway, known as the Bytown-Prescott Railway. Today, Prescott is a lovely town with a 19th-century main street, old churches, and friendly businesses.To experience the rich heritage of Upper Canada's music, come to the Upper Canada Folkfest, held on August 24th, hosted at the Kinsmen Amphitheatre. Tickets are 25$ and will feature six different folk groups singing songs from the 19th century.
Upper Canada VIllage
Upper Canada Village, while not a village, provides an excellent snapshot of the local heritage from several angles. The village was founded as a deliberate attempt to preserve the local 19th-century heritage of Eastern Ontario villages through living history. During the mid-1950s, seven locks were built on the St. Lawrence River to allow ships to transit from Montreal to Lake Ontario. Due to this process, a dozen villages on the Canadian side would be flooded. The decision was made to move the village's old 19th-century buildings to a nearby site for a new purpose. In 1961, the building was turned into an Upper Canada Village living history museum. Today, the village hosts 40 buildings where reenactors demonstrate how 19th-century settlers would live. The village also contains a memorial to the Battle of Crysler's Farm, where 900 British and Canadian men defeated an American army of 8,000. The village is open from May 4th to September 15th from 9:30 to 5:00. Tickets are 25$ for adults or 80$ for a family pass.Upper Canada Village also hosts a wide variety of events during the fall. On August 9th, there will be a celebration of Canadian music with hands-on activities, demonstrations, and concerts about the music of Upper Canada in the 1860s. Entry is included with general admission.On September 13th and 14th, Upper Canada Village will be hosting its 1860s-themed fall fair. The floral tent will feature activities related to agricultural, horticultural, and historical products. The highlight is the quilting demonstration as it was in the 19th century.
Spencerville
Beautiful Spencerville, only an hour from Gananoque, provides a nice getaway to rural Ontario. In 1811, Peleg Spencer built a mill on the South Nation River, which expanded into a gristmill in 1821. His son David inherited it a year later and would extend the area around the mill by building an inn and tavern in 1837. Spencerville originated during the 1840s following the construction of a post office, with the population reaching 350 by 1900. A fire destroyed the three mills on the river in 1859, with a mill being rebuilt in 1864. The mill operated until 1972 and is now a museum open to the public. Today, it's a quaint village of 500 with a strong community.The 169th Spencerville Fair will run from September 11th to September 14th. Events of note include a farmers' Olympics, chainsaw carving, a giant pumpkin weigh-in, and the world-famous RCMP Musical Ride! Admission on the 12th is by monetary donation or by a donation to the local food bank. All other days, Adult tickets are $15$, and tickets for kids aged 6-12 are $5$.
Kemptville
Kemptville, only one hour and 5 minutes from Gananoque, provides a wonderful taste into the tranquility of Rural Eastern Ontario. Kemptville lies near the Rideau River on a stream known as the Kemptville Creek which divides the town. The land on which Kemptville sits on went through a series of owners between 1802 to 1826 when it was sold to the Clothier family. The family would sell plots of land which would form the nucleus of the village. The original street in the town which runs parallel to the Creek is now called Clothier Street. A Saw Mill, Grist Mill and Blacksmiths were constructed, which would cement the area's importance as a local hub for industry compared to the previously treacherous task of traveling to and from the St Lawrence River. The village was named after the Governor of Upper Canada, Sir James Kempt, in 1829. From there, the town developed, with the construction of Churches, Schools and New Mills being built in the 1830s and 40s. In 1854, the Bytown and Prescott Railway was built with Kemptville as a stop, increasing the movement of goods. In 1872, a great fire destroyed most of the downtown, and many of Kemptville's most beautiful buildings. However, the Town quickly recovered and continued to serve as the local hub for Northern Grenville County. Today, Kemptville represents a wonderful community in rural Eastern Ontario worth visiting.
Merrickville
Picturesque Merrickville, only one hour and 10 minutes away from Gananoque, provides a wonderful outing along the Rideau River. In 1793, two UEL, Roger Stevens and William Merrick, constructed a mill on the Rideau River following a British land grant. Stevents premature death left Merrick to manage the mill, which from the 1790s to 1830s grew as a result of trade as a stopping point between Ottawa and Brockville. Following the construction of the Rideau Canal, the town boomed as travel times were cut in half. Unlike the majority of the mills along the river however, the three locks went around Merricks Mills, allowing it to thrive for the next several decades. Today, a part of the Woolen Mill, partially destroyed by fire, is now known as the Merrickville ruins. However, as Smiths Falls developed as the rail hub in the 1870s and canal trade declined, growth in Merrickville slowed.Starting in the 1960s, owing to its relative proximity to Ottawa, Merrickville began to grow again as a tourist destination, becoming a local hub for artists and crafts. Today, Merrickville hosts a series of charming heritage properties, unique businesses and an overall charming attitude.The Merrickville Agricultural Fair is being held from August 8th to August 10th. Activities include Blacksmith demonstrations, Antique Tractor pulls and a variety of other fair activities.
Smiths Falls
Serene Smiths Falls, located at the center of Eastern Ontario, provides a taste of various heritage aspects of the region only 1 hour away from Gananoque. In 1784, Thomas Smyth 1784 was granted 400 acres of land on the town's site. Smyth built a mill by a set of falls on the Rideau River, to which the area became known as Smyths Falls after a complicated property dispute in 1825, which resulted in Smyth losing the land and falling into possession of Abel Russell Ward. Smiths Falls served as a key stopping point along the Rideau Canal, hosting four lockstations. Today, the Locks serve as a series of parks and trails to watch leisure boats travel. The town was host to naming confusion; the residents intended to have the town name Smiths Falls, but a clerical error made in 1880 meant the official name was Smith's Falls until 1968. Smiths Falls grew as a result of its railway connections during the late 19th century; in 1859, the Brockville and Ottawa Railway had Smiths Falls serve as its midpoint. The town became an important stopping point on the Canadian Pacific Railroads mainline from Toronto to Montreal, which caused an industrial boom in the town. All western tracks of the CPR went through Smiths Falls, which was cemented as an important rail hub. Today, the Eastern Ontario Railway Museum stands as a legacy of Railway history in Smiths Falls.The Smiths Falls Fall Fair will be held on October 5th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Activities include tours of the Smiths Falls Heritage House Museum, Pumpkin carving contests, and delicious fall food. The event will be run at the Smiths Falls Heritage House.
Lombardy
Truly rugged Lombardy highlights the best of rural Eastern Ontario, only 50 minutes from Gananoque. Named after Francis Lombard, a French Soldier who settled in the area during the 1820s, Lombardy is small yet has plenty of beautiful nature around. The village is situated near the Rideau ferry, where local farmers would trade with the ships passing through the Rideau Canal. Today, the area is a popular site for cottages and people looking to relax outdoors. An Anglican and Catholic Church were built to support the local community.The Annual Lombardy Fair runs from August 1st to 3rd and is celebrating its 159th anniversary. The fair began with local farmers exhibiting cattle, sheep, and pigs in 1833. It has maintained a strong agricultural base, making it the best place to see and understand the heritage of Eastern Ontario farmers. General admission is $20$, with kids under 10 entering for free.
Perth
Charming Perth, only an hour from Gananoque, provides an excellent entry point into the Ottawa Valley on the Tay River.Perth was settled in 1816, following the end of the War of 1812. Perth was part of a concerted British effort to bring more settlers in Eastern Ontario away from the St. Lawrence River. The area was initially a military settlement named after the Governor General of Canada, Gordon Drummond, whose homeland was Perthshire in Scotland. The initial settlers were brought over from Scotland, facing a rough start as 1816 was the year without a summer; however, conditions improved during the construction of the Rideau Canal. The town was bolstered by Scottish Stonemasons and Reverend William Bell, with many of his objects surviving in the Perth Museum. The military left the settlement in 1824 before being granted municipal status. Perth was the center of the Ottawa Valley until Ottawa surpassed it in the mid-19th century. In 1893, the town sent a 22,000-pound block of Cheese known as ‘Mammoth Cheese’ to the Chicago World Exposition. Perth had the first installment of a telephone outside of Alexander Graham Bell’s purposes, being installed by Dr. J. F Kennedy, a friend of Bell and town resident. By 1887, there were over 19 telephones in Perth. Perth is also home to the Link O’Tay Golf Course, Canada's oldest operating Golf Course, since 1890. Today, Perth is home to rich Sandstone buildings and a vibrant downtown.The Perth Fair is hosting its 178th annual fair from August 29th to September 1st. Tickets range from 10-15 dollars a day for adults and 5 dollars a day for children. The fair has rides, lawn mower races, and a poultry show.A unique cultural institution of Perth is its Citizens Band, which is the oldest citizens band in Canada, having played since 1850. They host concerts every month at the Crystal Palace on September 7th and October 5th, starting at 2:00 p.m.
Maberly
Old Maberly, a quiet village 65 minutes away from Gananoque, provides a glimpse into the quietness of Eastern Ontario life. A post office was founded in 1864, named after Lt. Col. William Maberly. At its peak, Maberly supported five mills on the Fall River, five shops, two churches, and a hotel. The Rideau Trail, which runs through Eastern Ontario, passes through Maberly and is a popular stop with hikers.The 143rd annual Maberly Fair will be held on August 23rd. In addition to the expected events of Eastern Ontario Fall Fairs, Maberly hosts a Light Horse Show, which features some of the largest displays of horses in Eastern Ontario.
Parham
Parham, Ontario, located only an hour from Gananoque, highlights Ontario in transition. Parham lies in an area rich with lakes, making it a popular jumping-off point for kayakers and canoers. Parham lies on the transition from the predictive farmland of the St. Lawrence Lowlands to the rich granite of the Canadian Shield. Parham also serves between the market transition zones for Toronto and Ottawa. The 132nd annual Parham Fair will be hosted on August 16th and 17th, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on the 16th and from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm on the 17th. There will be a beer hall full of local brews, a frog jumping contest, and a demolition derby, among many other events. There are also plenty of baking and photography competitions, among the more traditional competitions.
Westport
Situated between two lakes, Westport provides a picturesque visit to Eastern Ontario. The land around Westport was initially developed between 1810-20. In 1828, Sheldon Stoddard built a mill on the Sand Lake, and the following year, the Manhard family built a gristmill nearby. The area became known as Manhard’s Mills, with the original mill now serving as a large estate. Following the construction of the Rideau Canal in 1832, which gave the village access to Kingston and Ottawa, the village was renamed Westport in 1841 due to its position as the west end of Upper Rideau Lake. The post office was built in 1845 and stands to this day as a town landmark. The town also received an influx of Irish immigrants during the 1840s who built St. Edwards Catholic Church. The town thrived during the 19th century from trade along the Rideau Canal, which was bolstered by the construction of the Brockville-Westport Railway in 1884, affectionately known as the cheese run due to the large number of cheese factories along the line. The train carried passengers until 1952 and connected the people and objects of Westport to the St. Lawrence. Also worth visiting to the north of Westport is Spy Rock Lookout, which provides a stunning view of the whole town.A fantastic way to tour Westport is during the annual Westporch festival. Held on September 20st, from 12:00 pm to 10:00pm, Around 20 musical acts will play on the porches of homes throughout the town. There will also be other activities for children and vendors selling delicious treats.
Chaffey's Lock
Chaffey’s Lock lies at a point of intense importance to Eastern Ontario, the Rideau Canal, 37 minutes north of Gananoque. In 1802, Samuel Chaffey, who had come from Somerset in 1816, established a milling business at a river leading from Indian to Opinicon Lake. Following Chaffey's death in 1829 from Malaria, the Mill was demolished to make way for the Rideau Canal as a means to connect Ottawa to the Great Lakes. The lock was completed in 1831, and the original locksmith's house remains standing to this day. Thousands of pleasure craft each year still use the Rideau Canal, with many stopping at Chaffey’s Lock. The previously swampy area was drained and is now popular for cottages. The most notable building in Chaffey's Lock is the Opinicon, a Victorian resort built in 1896. Today, it hosts stunning grounds on Lake Opinicon, accessible by car, boat, and float plane. The annual Heritage Craft Market will be held on the front lawn of the Opinicon on August 2rd from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. Over forty vendors will be there selling various artisanal crafts, drinks, and baked goods.
Delta
In Historic Delta, located 30 minutes north of Gananoque, there is a rich tradition of festivals that highlight the rich culture of Eastern Ontario. Situated on a small set of rapids between Upper and Lower Beverly Lake, Delta, while small, exhibits intense local pride through renewed celebration. Delta’s land was deeded 1796 to a group led by Abel Stevens, a loyalist from Vermont. He constructed a small wooden mill on the rapids and began the construction of many of the local roads. In 1811, a small Baptist church was built, later in 1827, to be purchased by the Anglican church and become St Paul's Anglican Church. A prominent resident during the mid-19th century was Walter H. Denaut, who owned a successful general store and built a large estate named Denaut Mansion. The Village received its current name in 1857 after the construction of the post office because the original name, Beverly, had already been taken. The name was chosen due to the shape of the lakes, forming an appearance similar to the Greek letter. Delta was a regional center with many businesses, services, and a railroad running through the town. Its primary historical feature is the Old Stone Mill, built in 1810-11 by William Jones and Ira Schofield using the local Sandstone and timber. It serves as the earliest example of an automatic flour mill in Ontario. Walter Denaut purchased the Mill in 1850, investing significantly in upgrades, most notably replacing the water wheel with turbines. In 1893, the Mill was sold to Hastings Steele, which diversified its production into animal feed and electrical equipment. The Mill was shuttered in 1960 when it was sold for 1$ to four trustees under the goal of preservation. The Mill was declared a national historic site in 1970 and reopened publicly in 1973. Funding for restoration was fully achieved in 1999, and work was completed in 2004. On late August and September Saturdays, the Old Stone Mill hosts Milling and Blacksmith Demonstrations. The Milling, which begins at 1 p.m., uses the 200-year-old grindstones to turn Red Fife Wheat into Flour. The Blacksmithing, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., highlights the region's heritage art. Events are free, but donations are appreciated. Delta's premier festival is its Harvest Festival, held on September 28th. The Mill opens for tours and sells various baked goods, vegetable products, flowers, and crafts. The festival also includes a car show running from 9 am to 3 pm, musical entertainment and on site craft vendors at the Delta Fairgrounds.
Lyndhurst
Majestic Lyndhurst provides a good representation of the heritage of rural Eastern Ontario through its industry and its agriculture, only 30 minutes from Gananoque. In 1801, Walis Sunderlin founded the Lansdowne Ironworks, which would develop into a small community called Furnace Falls. The Works burnt down in 1811, but the site was designated a national historic site in 1932 for the importance of being the first iron works in Upper Canada. Several mills were built in the 1820s, and the village was named Lyndhurst in 1846. In 1857, the Lyndhurst Bridge was built over the river and remains the oldest surviving bridge in Ontario. The Brockville, Westport, and Sault Ste Marie Railroad was built near the town in 1884, allowing local residents to ship out the local organic produce to larger population centers. Today, Lyndhurst serves as a regional hub for organic food and produce.Lyndhurst hosts its amazing annual Turkey Fair on September 20th, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There will be plenty of live music, food, wagon rides, and canoe voyages on the Gananoque River.
Tyendinaga
Tyendinaga holds a piece of the rich Indigenous heritage of Eastern Ontario, only 1 hour from Gananoque. Unlike the other towns on the tour, Tyendinaga is a First Nation reserve of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. A section of the Six Nations, the Mohawks were originally from the Mohawk Valley in Upstate New York. During the American Revolutionary War, the Mohawk community of Fort Hunter were loyalists to the crown and migrated north with the United Empire Loyalists. The group, led by John Deserontyn, led 20 families by canoeing from the Lachine Rapids in Montreal to the present area they inhabited in 1784. Deserontyn clashed with colonial authorities and Joseph Brant, who led the primary loyalist Six Nation settlement in the Grand River Valley. Despite arguments over the suitability of the site, the Mohawks were officially given a land grant by the Lieutenant Governor of Canada, John Graves Simcoe, in 1793. Much of the early 19th century was spent arguing with government authorities over the extent of Mohawk territory and the degree to which land tracts would be given to settlers. This includes an 800-acre parcel of land privately deeded to Deserontyn’s grandson, John Culberton, which would become the town of Deseronto. In 1843, an Anglican church was built on the Reservation, named Christ Church, later made into a Royal chapel by Queen Elizabeth II in 2004. A unique figure in the Reservations history was Oronhyatekha, who was the first First Nations person to attend Oxford University. He, at various points, taught in the town, served as the doctor, and built a partial Victorian estate known as “The Pines.” Following Canadian Confederation, the first council elections for governance occurred in 1870. The Anglican Church established several day schools in the 1880s and remained open until 1956. Education was then federally controlled until 1973 with the establishment of the Quinte Mohawk School. During World War One, the area hosted a training airfield named Camp Mohawk, now Tyendinaga Airport. Presently, Tyendinaga comprises a community of 2,500 people who live on reserve and 7,500 who live off reserve. The area has long served as a means of cultural preservation, fostering a sense of heritage. For a stunning cultural celebration in Eastern Ontario, one cannot miss the 38th Annual Traditional Pow Wow. Held on August 9th and 10th, witness traditional indigenous dress and dances from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the 10th and from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the 11th. Over 90 Indigenous vendors will also be selling various crafts and foods.
Napanee
Beautiful Napanee, sitting on the Napanee River, serves as a gateway to the beautiful Bay of Quinte. Napanee, originating from an Anishinaabe word for “flour.” French explorer Samuel de Champlain visited the area in 1615, creating the first map. A Oneida settlement in the area called “Ganneious” was inhabited from 1660-1690. The United Empire Loyalists built a sawmill in 1785, forming the nucleus of the town of Napanee. The town was incorporated in 1855 and became the county seat for Lennox and Addington in 1863. The town experienced a surge of industrial growth between 1870 and 1880 due to the high abundance of water in the area. By 1900, much of the downtown on Dundas Street had been built, much of which is preserved to this day. Some notable buildings in the town include the Macpherson House, built in 1826 by local entrepreneur George Allan Macpherson, which is now run by the Lennox and Addington Museum and Archives. Also run by the Museum is the old Gaol, built in 1864 with local limestone. Nearby is the scenic Springside Park, where the Bridge of the Grand Trunk Railway goes over the Napanee Falls. On the old Market Square, the old town hall built in 1856 is an excellent use of classical revival architecture and the old Romanesque post office.One notable event at Napanee is the Annual Napanee Fair, which runs from August 1st to the 4th. The event, which has run since 1832, strongly emphasizes agriculture, with activities including animal displays, Tractor pulls, and grain and vegetable judging. Admission is $10$ per day or $25$ for a weekend pass.
Odessa
Odessa’s unique name stands out amongst the towns of Eastern Ontario, indicative of a rich history. The Babcock Mill stands on the banks of Millhaven Creek, was founded in 1830, and is open for tours to the public today. It was used as a woolen mill, a generator to power the entire town, and a basket factory. The old United Emmanuel Church had its spire burned down in 1911. Just north of the town is the Wilton Hall, a community center that was formerly a church. The town was renamed from Millcreek to its present name, Odessa, in 1856, following the 1854 siege of Odesa during the Crimean War.The Odessa fair is in its 190th annual iteration, being held from August 15th to August 18th. There is a motocross show, pony rides, and strongman competitions. Tickets are $10$ per day or $20$ for a weekend pass.
Kingston
Kingston is the beating heart of Eastern Ontario, being the largest city in the area and holding immense value to the region's heritage. Before becoming a city, Kingston was initially a French fur trading post built in 1673. It was named Fort Cataraqui, after the indigenous word for the area, Katarokwi, later named Fort Frontenac after the original Governor General of New France who built it. The British seized the Fort 1758 during the French and Indian War, destroying it but reconstructing it in 1783. Kingston was chosen as a strategic site to settle loyalists by Quebec Governor Frederick Haldimand due to its position at the mouth of the St. Lawrence River. Many prominent loyalists settled there, including Molly Brant, the sister of the Six Nations leader Joseph Brant, Businessman Richard Cartwright, who engaged in many of the early commercial enterprises in Kingston, and John Stuart. Stuart was a missionary who would build Kingston's first Church (now St. George Anglican Cathedral) and School (now Kingston Collegiate and Vocational Institute).During this period, the settlement was named King's Town after King George III, which would later be abbreviated into Kingston. During the War of 1812, Kingston was the headquarters for the Royal Navy's Great Lakes Fleet. To help increase defense, Fort Henry was built in 1813 to defend the mouth of the St. Lawrence. It was largely rebuilt by the British in 1832 and now serves as a national historical site as one of Canada's best-preserved fortifications. During this period, Kingston was the largest town in Upper Canada (now Southern Ontario) until the 1840s. The Rideau Canal was completed in 1832 with Kingston at its end, which became a major economic thoroughfare and cemented Kingston's place as a regional center. Kingston served as the first capital of the province of Canada in 1841, although the city was considered too near to the American border, and it was moved to Montreal in 1844. Kingston, during this period, expanded rapidly; in 1840, a dock fire destroyed many of the wooden buildings in the town, and the decision was made to rebuild in Limestone from a local quarry. Kingston acquired the nickname "Limestone City" due to the large number of buildings built of Limestone. The Kingston Penitentiary was built in 1835 to serve as Canada's first Federal Penitentiary. The Presbyterian Church founded Queens College in 1842 as one of the first liberal arts schools in Canada, which would later become Queens University. Kingston was incorporated as a city in 1846, although following this period, Kingston grew modestly compared to the other major cities in Canada. Kingston was an industrial base, home to the Canadian Locomotive Company, the Davis Tannery, the largest Tannery in the British Empire, and many others. Following WW2, Kingston transitioned from an Industrial economy to an Institutional one, with Universities and Prisons being the cornerstone of the economy. Today, Kingston is the regional capital of Eastern Ontario, with beautiful limestone architecture, a vibrant downtown, historic churches, and a scenic waterfront.One of Kingston's landmark fall events is its fall fair, now in its 193nd year from September 11th to 14th. It's the largest fall fair in the region, hosting numerous rides, events, and shows. Admission is $10$ per day for adults and $5$ per day for kids, with Adult weekend passes costing $30$ and youth passes costing $15$. Note that the attractions have a separate fee.Fort Henry has stood guard over Kingston for over 200 years. To honor that heritage, the annual Sunset ceremony is held every Friday in August. The Event features traditional red coats from the 19th-century British Army, drill Squads, Drum Performances, Artillery Demonstrations, and the changing of the ceremonial guard.
