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Champlain's Journey of 1613

The Father of New France, Samuel de Champlain, made the first of two voyages into what is now Ontario in 1613. He travelled up the Ottawa River seeking the northern sea (Hudson Bay) which one of...

The Father of New France, Samuel de Champlain, made the first of two voyages into what is now Ontario in 1613. He travelled up the Ottawa River seeking the northern sea (Hudson Bay) which one...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Captain Daniel Rapelje 1774-1828

Emigrating from New York State to the Long Point Settlement in 1802, Rapelje later received 80 ha of land on the south side of the Talbot Road at Kettle Creek. He settled here with his family in...

Emigrating from New York State to the Long Point Settlement in 1802, Rapelje later received 80 ha of land on the south side of the Talbot Road at Kettle Creek. He settled here with his family...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Canada's Capital

After the union of the two Canadas in 1841, Kingston, Montréal, Toronto, and Québec were in succession the seat of government. During the 1850's these cities contended for designation as the...

After the union of the two Canadas in 1841, Kingston, Montréal, Toronto, and Québec were in succession the seat of government. During the 1850's these cities contended for designation as the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Colonial Advocate

This influential journal of radical reform was first published on May 18, 1824, at Queenston, by William Lyon Mackenzie. A native of Scotland, Mackenzie had immigrated to Upper Canada in 1820 and...

This influential journal of radical reform was first published on May 18, 1824, at Queenston, by William Lyon Mackenzie. A native of Scotland, Mackenzie had immigrated to Upper Canada in 1820 and...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Colonel The Honourable Herbert Alexander Bruce, MD, LLD 1868-1963

Herbert Bruce was born at Blackstock in 1868, and grew up on a farm located on this Port Perry site. In 1893, he graduated in medicine from the University of Toronto. Specializing in surgery, he...

Herbert Bruce was born at Blackstock in 1868, and grew up on a farm located on this Port Perry site. In 1893, he graduated in medicine from the University of Toronto. Specializing in surgery,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Chiefswood

Completed in 1856, Chiefswood owes its importance to its architecture and the prominence of the people who lived here. Derived from the popular Italianate style of the Picturesque movement, the...

Completed in 1856, Chiefswood owes its importance to its architecture and the prominence of the people who lived here. Derived from the popular Italianate style of the Picturesque movement,...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Capture of Ogdensburg 1813

On the morning of February 22, 1813, "Red George" Macdonell of the Glengarry Light Infantry set out from Prescott with a force of some 480 regulars and militia to capture the strong United States...

On the morning of February 22, 1813, "Red George" Macdonell of the Glengarry Light Infantry set out from Prescott with a force of some 480 regulars and militia to capture the strong United...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Christ Church 1843

The Mohawks, allies of the British during the American Revolution, settled permanently in Canada following that conflict. A party led by Capt. John Deserontyon landed here in 1784 and constructed...

The Mohawks, allies of the British during the American Revolution, settled permanently in Canada following that conflict. A party led by Capt. John Deserontyon landed here in 1784 and constructed...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Canoe Route to the West

The French River formed a vital link in the historic canoe route via the Ottawa and Mattawa Rivers and Lake Nipissing, which connected the settlements on the St. Lawrence with the upper Great...

The French River formed a vital link in the historic canoe route via the Ottawa and Mattawa Rivers and Lake Nipissing, which connected the settlements on the St. Lawrence with the upper Great...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Chimney Island (Bridge Island)

During the War of 1812 the St. Lawrence was the life-line of Upper Canada along which virtually all military and civilian supplies were transported from Montreal to Kingston. Fear that the...

During the War of 1812 the St. Lawrence was the life-line of Upper Canada along which virtually all military and civilian supplies were transported from Montreal to Kingston. Fear that the...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Captain Miles Macdonell

Born in Scotland about 1769, Miles emigrated with his father, 'Spanish' John, and other members of the family to New York 1773. Following the Revolution, they settled near Cornwall at St. Andrews...

Born in Scotland about 1769, Miles emigrated with his father, 'Spanish' John, and other members of the family to New York 1773. Following the Revolution, they settled near Cornwall at St. Andrews...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Comte de Frontenac

Born in 1622 at the chateau of St. Germain, Louis de Buade, Comte de Frontenac, was a member of the feudal aristocracy and a godson of King Louis XIII. A soldier and courtier, he was appointed...

Born in 1622 at the chateau of St. Germain, Louis de Buade, Comte de Frontenac, was a member of the feudal aristocracy and a godson of King Louis XIII. A soldier and courtier, he was...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Colonel Thomas Hornor 1767-1834

Born in New Jersey, Hornor first came to Upper Canada in 1793 and visited the unsettled township of Blenheim. Disposing of his holdings in the United States, he emigrated to Blenheim in 1795. That...

Born in New Jersey, Hornor first came to Upper Canada in 1793 and visited the unsettled township of Blenheim. Disposing of his holdings in the United States, he emigrated to Blenheim in 1795. That...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Charlotte Schreiber 1834-1922

An accomplished British artist who gained prominence in Canadian cultural circles, Charlotte Morrell was born in the County of Essex, England. She studied art in London and, while still a young...

An accomplished British artist who gained prominence in Canadian cultural circles, Charlotte Morrell was born in the County of Essex, England. She studied art in London and, while still a...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Chatham Blockhouse 1794

On this site a blockhouse was constructed in 1794 by order of Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe. He planned to establish here a small naval arsenal which would form a link in the defences of...

On this site a blockhouse was constructed in 1794 by order of Lieutenant-Governor John Graves Simcoe. He planned to establish here a small naval arsenal which would form a link in the defences...

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  • ontario
  • alan brown

Capture of the "Somers" and "Ohio"

On the night of August 12, 1814, seventy seamen and marines, led by Captain Alexander T. Dobbs, R.N., embarked in this vicinity to attempt the capture of three armed U.S. schooners lying off...

On the night of August 12, 1814, seventy seamen and marines, led by Captain Alexander T. Dobbs, R.N., embarked in this vicinity to attempt the capture of three armed U.S. schooners lying...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Carlsbad Springs

In the 1860s, local innkeeper Daniel Eastman offered water from the natural mineral springs in this area for drinking and bathing. His inn was followed by larger hotels where guests were invited...

In the 1860s, local innkeeper Daniel Eastman offered water from the natural mineral springs in this area for drinking and bathing. His inn was followed by larger hotels where guests were invited...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Christ Church 1819

This church was built in 1818-19 on land donated by Col. William Caldwell. One of the earliest Anglican places of worship in western Upper Canada, it was constructed through the efforts of the...

This church was built in 1818-19 on land donated by Col. William Caldwell. One of the earliest Anglican places of worship in western Upper Canada, it was constructed through the efforts of the...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

Colonel John Prince 1796-1870

Here, on a portion of his former estate, is buried Col. Prince who emigrated from England in 1833 and settled at Sandwich, Upper Canada. As commanding officer of the Essex Militia, he stirred up a...

Here, on a portion of his former estate, is buried Col. Prince who emigrated from England in 1833 and settled at Sandwich, Upper Canada. As commanding officer of the Essex Militia, he stirred up...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown

The Craigleith Shale Oil Works 1859

A growing demand for artificial light led to the establishment, in 1859, of a firm headed by William Darley Pollard of Collingwood. He erected a plant here to obtain oil through the treatment of...

A growing demand for artificial light led to the establishment, in 1859, of a firm headed by William Darley Pollard of Collingwood. He erected a plant here to obtain oil through the treatment of...

  • toronto
  • ontario
  • alan brown