A settlement called "Sydenham" was established in 1840 or 1841 by Charles Rankin in an area that had been inhabited by First Nations people. John Telfer settled here at that time and others followed. By 1846, the population was 150 and a sawmill and gristmill were operating. The name Sydenham continued even as the community became the seat for Grey County in 1852.[6]
An Ontario historical plaque explains that a First Nations Band, led by Chief Newash had a reserve in the area totalling about 11,000 acres (45km2; 4,500ha). In 1842, they established the village of Newash which initially contained fourteen log houses, a school and a barn; the population was served by Wesleyan Methodist missionaries. In 1857, the government took over the reserve area and moved most of the Chippewa inhabitants of Newash to the Cape Croker Hunting Ground 60B reserve north of Owen Sound.[6]
Over the years, Owen Sound was a major port best known for its taverns and brothel. The community acquired names as the Chicago of the North, Corkscrew City, and Little Liverpool because of its rowdy reputation.[7][8][9] Supporting this reputation was a tavern named "Bucket of Blood", located on the corner of an intersection known as "Damnation Corners", because of taverns on all four corners,[10] but this location was also only a block away from an intersection with four churches called "Salvation Corners".[11]
Sydenham was renamed Owen Sound in 1851; by then, it was served by a direct road to Toronto Township (today Mississauga), the Toronto-Sydenham Road; which still exists as Highway 10 and the southern portion of Hurontario Street.[12][6] The community became an incorporated town in 1857, with a population of nearly 2000.[6][13] In 1873, the Toronto, Grey and Bruce Railway from Weston arrived and allowed for shipping goods to and from the community.[12]
Louis' Steakhouse, a popular upscale restaurant just outside town, was opened by the Gavaris family in the 1980s in a historic building which changed hands several times before being demolished in 2016.[14] It was originally a home (built in 1881), but became a brothel from 1907 to 1915,[15] where the madam would stand in its castle-like tower and watch the port for a ship to come in, and she would ready her prostitutes to excite the sailors. This reputation for vice and villainy, and the problems that came with it, caused the city to ban all drinking establishments for several decades. The city was "dry" until 1972.[16]
In 2005, Owen Sound became the National Communities in Bloom champion in the cities of 20,001–50,000 category in Canada for its beauty, natural landscape, and strong sense of community.[18] Owen Sound has been recently recognized as a good retirement community due to its cultural, sports and natural amenities.[19]
Geography and climate
Owen Sound experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classificationDfb)[20] that is moderated by Lake Huron. Winters are cold and very snowy, while summers are warm and humid, but cooled by the lake waters (Georgian Bay and Lake Huron on either side) more than most other areas of southwestern Ontario. Precipitation is moderately high, as Owen Sound is in the direct line of the Great Lakes snowbelt, with an annual average precipitation of 1,100mm (43in). Summer thunderstorms are a common occurrence.
The highest temperature ever recorded in Owen Sound was 40.0°C (104.0°F) on July 3, 1911.[21] The coldest temperature ever recorded was −36.7°C (−34.1°F) on February 6, 1895.[22]
Climate data for Owen Sound, 1981−2010 normals, extremes 1878−present
The Sydenham River is a waterway that connects to Owen Sound Bay and was formed from a pre-glacial river cutting into the limestone of the Niagara Escarpment.[25]
Culture and events
Festival of Northern Lights.Owen Sound at night, 1959
The City of Owen Sound was a 2004 Cultural Capital of Canada and is home to a number of cultural events and facilities. It is home to the Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival, held every August, and the Festival of Northern Lights, a large Christmas lights festival with many displays along the Sydenham River, downtown, and in Harrison Park, held from November until January every winter, as well as A Novel Marathon, a special event fund raiser for the Adult Literacy Program of the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library.
In 2007, Owen Sound celebrated its 150th year since incorporation, with special events throughout the year highlighted by the 10-day Homecoming 2007 celebrations July 27 to August 5.
Theatrically, the city's 400-seat Roxy Theatre, owned and operated by the Owen Sound Little Theatre, is used for the city's professional live theatre performances, as well as some concerts. The Youth Theatre Coalition is also prevalent in the area. It is a youth theatre company run entirely by youth and for youth. The organization presents musical, theatrical, and concert type performances throughout the year.
The city is also home to a good number of museums and cultural attractions, including:
The Roxy Theatre - the region's premier destination for live entertainment.
Owen Sound Artists' Co-op[26] - established in 1994 and located in the historic McKay building downtown Owen Sound, features the work of 45 local artists, along with monthly guest artists and Legacy Gallery exhibitors.
Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery[27] – featuring a large collection of memorabilia and works from Tom Thomson, one of Canada's most famous artists who grew up in the Owen Sound area.
Community Waterfront Heritage Centre – showcasing the city's rich history in rail and water transportation and its role in the growth of Ontario.
Billy Bishop Home and Museum – located in Bishop's former home, is dedicated to the life and times of Billy Bishop and Canada's history in aviation.
Black History Cairn – located in historic Harrison Park, celebrating Owen Sound's status as a northern terminus of the Underground Railroad.
Owen Sound Farmer's Market – occupying the same location since 1868, the Market is open every Saturday morning throughout the year and hosts a wide variety of growers and artisans.
Owen Sound's Beth Ezekiel Synagogue,[28] a designated building under Ontario's Heritage Act[29] as one of the few remaining examples of a small town Ontario synagogue. It is the last active small town synagogue in Canada.[28]
Georgian Bay Symphony – is a regional community orchestra consisting of 55 volunteer musicians and five professional core string players. The Symphony performs 5 Main Concerts a year at the OSCVI as well as performing at various civic events.
The Owen Sound City Band[30] founded in 1923 is a volunteer organization made up of amateur musicians of all ages and abilities. The Band performs for Canada Day held every year at Kelso Beach, for the opening of the Festival of Northern Lights[31] and other official events. The Band plays regularly over the summer at Harrison Park and Kelso Beach.
The Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival[32] is a three-day music and crafts event founded in 1976 and held annually on the third weekend in August at Kelso Beach Park.
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Owen Sound had a population of 21,612 living in 9,895 of its 10,406 total private dwellings, a change of 1.3% from its 2016 population of 21,341. With a land area of 24.21km2 (9.35sqmi), it had a population density of 892.7/km2 (2,312.1/sqmi) in 2021.[33]
Owen Sound is home to a campus of Georgian College. The campus currently offers 14 full-time programs, including its Great Lakes International Marine Training and Research Centre.[39] The centre trains professionals already working in the marine industry and students enrolled in the Marine Navigation Technology program and the Marine Engineering Technology program.
Public school education is managed by the Bluewater District School Board (BDSB), and Catholic schools are managed by the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board (BGCDSB). There are three high schools in town; St. Dominique Savio (a French Catholic school), St. Mary's (BGCDSB), Owen Sound District Secondary School (OSDSS). The latter formed after the amalgamation of West Hill Secondary School and Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute.[40]
Owen Sound also provides a variety of French education options in the form of French immersion programs in both the public and Catholic school systems, as well as the only all French school and preschool in Grey and Bruce counties. Opportunities offered to French students include exchange programs and French summer camps.
Transportation
MSChi-Cheemaun in Owen Sound.Canadian Pacific Railway Station, Owen Sound
Located at the junctions of Ontario Highways 6, 10, 21 and 26, the city serves as a gateway to the Bruce Peninsula.
Owen Sound Transit provides local bus service and specialized transportation for those unable to use the regular transit buses.
Owen Sound is governed by the Owen Sound City Council, consisting of a mayor, deputy mayor, and seven councilors, all of whom are elected at-large. As of October 2022, the current mayor of Owen Sound is Ian Boddy and the current Deputy Mayor-elect is Scott Greig.[43]
Recreation
Inglis Falls is along one of the many hiking trails around Owen Sound
The Owen Sound area has several waterfalls, some outside the city limits.[44] They range from large, such as the 18m (59ft) high Inglis Falls created by the Sydenham River meeting the edge of the Niagara Escarpment to small, such as Weaver's Creek Falls; some are along hiking trails that range in difficulty from moderate to strenuous. Some of the hikes connect to the Bruce Trail. The Grey County tourist information office can provide maps for hikers. The two major parks in Owen Sound are Kelso Beach on Georgian Bay and Harrison Park.[45]
Some of the largest rainbow trout in the world have been caught in Owen Sound, and annual fishing derbies draw large participation from all over North America.
Southeast of the city are several popular Ontario ski resorts, including Blue Mountain and Beaver Valley. The city and area also have numerous snowmobile trails.
Sports
Owen Sound is the smallest city in Ontario to host an Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Major Junior Hockey team, namely, the Owen Sound Attack, who play at the Harry Lumley Bayshore Community Centre arena. Originally the Owen Sound Attack were known as the Owen Sound Platers, having been moved from Guelph, Ontario where they played as the Guelph Platers. The Attack were purchased by a group of six local investors. The team played as the Owen Sound Platers from 1989-2000 and renamed the Owen Sound Attack in 2000, prior to the start of the 2000-2001 season.[46]
The County of Grey opened a complex in 1854, including a courthouse and police services, a land registry office and a county jail. In 1960, the County of Grey moved the courthouse and land registry to another location at the edge of present-day Owen Sound, Ontario. At that time, March 11, 1960, the County of Grey and the City of Owen Sound signed a two-part agreement that was subsequently passed into bylaw. The first part required that the City of Owen Sound immediately purchase the courthouse portion of the complex. Part two of the agreement requires the City of Owen Sound to purchase the jail portion when the County of Grey no longer needs it for its own use. This occurred in 1978, when the province of Ontario transferred the county jails to provincial entities. The County of Grey and the City of Owen Sound escaped the latter part of the 1960 agreement to purchase the property by signing a 5-year renewable lease with the Province of Ontario and have profited greatly ever since. The County of Grey receives a monthly payment (approximately $12,000 as of 2011) for which they have no obligation to maintain the property; the City of Owen Sound kept the police services in the old courthouse until 1987/88 and then leased it to an arts council. In doing so, the jail lost all of their former entrances and moved all activities to the side of the jail, immediately beside the adjacent residence.
The jail was slated to close in 1996 and again in 2001 (the provincial jail system was overcrowded so prisoners were transferred to the smaller jails) and finally was closed down at the end of 2011, with the last three prisoners leaving by van on December 4, 2011 (3 pm). The jail was finally transferred firstly to the County of Grey (as the landlord) then to the City of Owen Sound, per the March 1960 agreement, in November 2014, after it was de-commissioned. As of March 4, 2018, the City of Owen Sound has been unable to find a purchaser, despite reducing the price from $249,000 for each portion (courthouse and jail) to the current price of $99,000 for the total property. Southbridge Properties did purchase the property for $1 in May 2015 with a clause allowing it to rescind the deal within the next four years if several conditions were not met—it backed out in March 2016. In the meantime, the property continues to deteriorate with complaints from the community regarding its safety and negative impact on property values. In August 2017, the City of Owen Sound put out inquiries for costs to demolish the jail portion, after putting the property on the real estate market for another six months. The deadline for offers on the property is March 5, 2018.
Owen Sound was one of the filming locations for the Disney movie One Magic Christmas along with Meaford,[47] most notably with its city hall serving as the town hall in the film.
Dundalk, first called McDowell's Corners, was originally located on the Toronto-Sydenham Road, but moved about a mile to the west to be closer to the Toronto Grey and Bruce railway when it went through in the 1870s. Dundalk was incorporated as a village in 1887. On January 1, 2000, it was amalgamated with the Township of Proton and the Township of Egremont to form the Township of Southgate, in the southeast corner of Grey County. The mayor of Southgate is Briane Milne. Dundalk services the surrounding agricultural area and also has a few small manufacturing plants. Dundalk has the highest elevation of any populated place in southern Ontario at 526m. A rail line that used to pass through Dundalk is now removed, but its roadbed has become a multi-use trail sponsored by the federal government.
Chatham-Kent is a single-tier municipality in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. It is mostly rural, and its population centres are Chatham, Wallaceburg, Tilbury, Blenheim, Ridgetown, Wheatley and Dresden. The current Municipality of Chatham-Kent was created in 1998 by the amalgamation of Blenheim, Bothwell, Camden, the City of Chatham, the Township of Chatham, Dover, Dresden, Erie Beach, Erieau, Harwich, Highgate, Howard, Orford, Raleigh, Ridgetown, Duart, Thamesville, Tilbury East, Tilbury, Wallaceburg, Wheatley and Zone.
Cobourg is a town in the Canadian province of Ontario, located in Southern Ontario 95 km (59 mi) east of Toronto and 62 km (39 mi) east of Oshawa. It is the largest town in and seat of Northumberland County. Its nearest neighbour is Port Hope, 7 km (4 mi) to the west. It is located along Highway 401 and the former Highway 2. To the south, Cobourg borders Lake Ontario. To the north, east and west, it is surrounded by Hamilton Township.
Charles Poulett Thomson, 1st Baron Sydenham, was a British businessman, politician, diplomat and the first Governor General of the united Province of Canada.
Penetanguishene is a town in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada. It is located on the southeasterly tip of Georgian Bay. Incorporated on February 22, 1882, this bilingual community has a population of 8,962 in the Canada 2016 Census.
Wellington County is a county located in Southwestern Ontario, Canada and is part of the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The county, made up of two towns and five townships, is predominantly rural in nature. However many of the residents in the southern part of the county commute to urban areas such as Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, Brampton, Mississauga, Toronto and Hamilton for employment. The northern part of the county is made up of mainly rural farming communities, except for a few larger towns such as Mount Forest and Arthur. According to the 2021 census, the population of the county was 241,026.
Chatsworth is a township municipality in Grey County, in southwestern Ontario, Canada. The township is located at the headwaters of the Styx River, the Saugeen River, the Sauble River, the Bighead River, the Spey River, and the old Sydenham River.
Collingwood is a town in Simcoe County, Ontario, Canada. It is situated on Nottawasaga Bay at the southern point of Georgian Bay. Collingwood is well known as a tourist destination, for its skiing in the winter, and limestone caves along the Niagara Escarpment in the summer.
Bruce County is a county in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. It has eight lower-tier municipalities with a total 2016 population of 66,491. It is named for James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin and 12th Earl of Kincardine, the sixth Governor General of the Province of Canada. The Bruce name is also linked to the Bruce Trail and the Bruce Peninsula.
Grey County is a county of the Canadian province of Ontario. The county seat is in Owen Sound. It is located in the subregion of Southern Ontario named Southwestern Ontario. Grey County is also a part of the Georgian Triangle. At the time of the Canada 2016 Census the population of the county was 93,830.
Meaford is a municipality in Grey County, Ontario, Canada located on Nottawasaga Bay, a sub-basin of Georgian Bay and Owen Sound Bay, in the traditional territory of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation in southern Ontario. The municipality's seal and motto reflect its heritage as a place of apple orchards, but in the 21st century the area has partly switched to weekend homes, seasonal homes, and lakeside tourism.
Grey North was a federal electoral district represented in the House of Commons of Canada from 1867 to 1968. It was located in the province of Ontario. It was created by the British North America Act of 1867, which divided the County of Grey into two ridings: Grey South and Grey North. The North Riding consisted of the Townships of Collingwood, Euphrasia, Holland, Saint-Vincent, Sydenham, Sullivan, Derby, and Keppel, Sarawak and Brooke, and the Town of Owen Sound.
Strathroy-Caradoc is a municipality located in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. It is 35 kilometres (22 mi) west of London.
King's Highway 10, commonly referred to as Highway 10, is a provincially maintained highway in the Canadian province of Ontario. The highway connects the northern end of Highway 410 just north of Brampton with Owen Sound on the southern shores of Georgian Bay, passing through the towns of Orangeville and Shelburne as well as several smaller villages along the way. It historically followed the Toronto–Sydenham Road, the southern part of which later became the southern section of Hurontario Street. The section between Orangeville and Primrose was formerly part of Prince of Wales Road, which continues northwards after the highway turns west. Between Chatsworth and Owen Sound, Highway10 is concurrent with Highway 6.
]
Durham is a community in the municipality of West Grey, Grey County, Ontario, Canada. Durham is located near the base of the Bruce Peninsula.
Chatsworth is a community in Grey County, Ontario, Canada, part of the Township of Chatsworth. It is located south of Owen Sound and north of Durham where Highways 6 and 10 merge. The village neighbours Williamsford, Dornoch, and Desboro.
The Blue Mountains is a town in Grey County, southwestern Ontario, Canada, located where the Beaver River flows into Nottawasaga Bay. It is named for the Blue Mountain, and hence the economy of the town is centred on tourism, particularly on the Blue Mountain ski resort and the private Georgian Peaks, Osler, Craigleith and Alpine Ski Clubs.
Balaclava is a community in the municipality of Meaford in Grey County, Ontario, Canada. It is about 17 kilometres (11 mi) northwest of the centre of Meaford and 18 kilometres (11 mi) northeast of the city of Owen Sound, about 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) inland of Owen Sound on Georgian Bay, Lake Huron.
Pembroke is a city in the Canadian province of Ontario at the confluence of the Muskrat River and the Ottawa River in the Ottawa Valley. Pembroke is the location of the administrative headquarters of Renfrew County, though the city itself is politically independent. It is 145 kilometres (90 mi) northwest of Ottawa.
↑ Walker, T. R., Bernier, M., Blotnicky, B., Golden, P. G., Hoffman, E., Janes, J., ... & Vermeulen, S. (2015). Harbour divestiture in Canada: Implications of changing governance. Marine Policy, 62, 1-8.
↑ "About Brightshores". Brightshores Health System. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
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