Westport, Ontario
While I love to travel to historical places, and historical landmarks, I also live in a town that is full of history. Westport, Ontario. With a population of around 634 people, according to the 2021 census, this is consider a small village.
Although, there is nothing small about it. Apart from the cute little village stores, there are plenty of activities to do, we have 2 golfs courses in the nearby area, Rideau Lakes Golf and Country Club over looks the Big Rideau Lake, making for a beautiful scenic golf game. Evergreen Golf Course is placed on Wolfe Lake just a little ways outside of town.
Oh, and the fishing! My god do we have fun fishing here. Bass season opens every 3rd Saturday in June, and there are always tournaments to win. Trailers and trucks are packed down by the boat ramps, it truly amazing to see so many avid fisherman.
Saturdays are always a big day, between the artisans markets, yard sales, concerts, dinners and so much more! I've never known a small town, or even a small township to have such a rich history of volunteers.
Our township is has 6 small villages or hamlets:
Chaffeys Locks, was created by Samuel Chaffey who came from Somerset, England. In1820, he created a successful milling business near Indian Lake. Chaffey passed away in 1829, because of swamp fever. Due to the construction of the Rideau Canal there was a demolition of the Chaffey's Mills in order to make way for the building of the lock and Dam.
Delta, is a small vibrant community that is located in the centre of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere and in between two pristine lakes. The village currently has a library, recreation centre, tennis court and much more!
Elgin, this small town is just off Highway 15, and holds our local high school, and a public school. It also considered to the be in the heart of corn country. There are 3 churches in town. While there are only about 300 people normally, however in the summer that multiples as Elgin serves as the hub for several thousand cottage residents. Elgin Days is one event to remark on, usually on the second weekend of July there is an annual festival with a parade, flea market, barbecue, and so much more.
Jones Falls/ Morton, this little spot holds on the best hikes, it's called Rock Dunder. Rising 275 feet above Morton Bay, it is open from sunrise to sunset from May 15 until November 15th. Morton was at one time called Whitefish Falls, that was until George Morton purchased the water rights along with the adjacent land in 1861. There, Morton built a saw mill, grist mill, and a plaster mill.
Newboro is a small community on County Road 42, this is the best place for fishing. This town is located adjacent to the Newboro Lock Station situated on the Rideau Canal.
North Crosby is a really interesting place. Between being part of the Canadian Shield, to be considered "too rocky to cultivate" by early explorers, to even having a train station.
The little village of Portland, is located on Big Rideau Lake. There are several buildings that mark Portland's evolutions. The Gallagher Bank Building, which was built in 1903. The Polk Store built in 1891, and the Toffey House which was built in 1892. There is also the Emmanuel Anglican Church building, built in 1861.
And finally, the Rideau Ferry, and Lombardy. Rideau Ferry was originally called Oliver's Ferry and was named after the legendary John Oliver who was an early settler in the South Elmsley Township. Lombardy is a small community that has been reported to have many different names throughout it's history, including Landon's Corners, Landon's Mills and South Elmsley. The name was persevered was that of a French soldier, Francis Lombarde. He settled in the area in 1820s.