The Mayor of Norfolk County is Port Dover resident Amy Martin.
This community is the southern terminus for Ontario Highway 6; located 480 kilometres (300mi) to the south of the Northern Ontario community of McKerrow.[2] This highway stretches northward as a two-lane, undivided highway until the traffic flow increases to four lanes shortly after it departs from Caledonia.[3] In addition to allowing Port Dover residents direct access to the city of Hamilton, it also briefly merges with Highway 403 to allow for access to the Royal Botanical Gardens and locations on to Toronto.
The postalforward sortation area is N0A; sharing its Canada Post service with the western portion of Haldimand County. All residences and businesses within the Port Dover area have a 583 in their phone number.
Most people get their television either through Shaw Direct, Bell Satellite TV or over-the-air. There is only one channel can be picked up reliably using an outdoor antenna while an additional five channels can be picked up semi-reliably. There are twelve channels that can be picked up over-the-air only during sunny days where clouds are absent.[5]
Ride Norfolk offers transportation between Port Dover and Simcoe on Thursdays and Fridays. This service is used for people in Simcoe to access the tourist attractions of Port Dover mainly during the summer months. It can also be used for Port Dover residents to access doctors, medical services, and dental services in Simcoe that would usually require an automobile.
Demographics
The second largest of the Communities in Norfolk County, Ontario, Port Dover had a population of 6,161 at the time of the 2016 Census. This is an increase of 7.9% over the population of 5,710 in 2011. English is spoken by the majority of the residents, with 285 people speaking languages other than English or French. The majority of Port Dover residents were born in Canada, with 515 residents being born in Europe in addition to 10 African-born residents, 70 US-born residents and 70 residents who were born in Asia.
With respect to the ethnic origin of residents, 230 are of North American Aboriginal origin (180 First Nations and 60 Metis), 1,975 are of North American origins (including 1,910 Canadian), 4,885 are of European origin (3,775 British Isles, 490 French, 1,290 Western European, 125 Northern European, 610 Eastern European, 355 Southern European, and 25 other), 25 are of Caribbean origin, 60 are of Latin, Central, and South American origin, 35 are of African origin, 145 are of Asian origin, and 25 are of Oceania origin. Respondents could report more than one ethnic origin.
The 2016 Census recorded 2,965 males and 3,200 females. There were 610 people aged 0 to 14, 3,570 people aged 15 to 64, and 1,985 people aged 65 and over. The average age was 50.8, and the median was 56.8.
The median income was $35,132. For males, the median income was $45,163, and $26,736 for females.[6][7]
Port Dover traditionally belongs to the humid continental climate zone, even with the recent mild winters and warmer dry summers. From the late 1990s onwards, winters have become more mild due to changes in climate brought on by global warming.[citation needed]
The warmest summers that Port Dover has witnessed occurred in 1998, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009 (with the exception of the month of July[9]), 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.[10]
Port Dover's earliest known inhabitants, from around the year 1000 until approximately 300–350 years later, were the Algonquin nation. They were noted flint-workers and evidence of their skill in crafting arrowheads is still to be found in open worked field areas surrounding the village. The next wave of inhabitants were the Attawandaron nation, the Neutrals, who occupied the region from about 1350 until their absorption by the Iroquois in the year 1651. The last significant native nation to occupy the area was the Mississaugas.
In 1670, French missionaries François Dollier de Casson and René Bréhant de Galinée became the first Europeans to winter at what is now Port Dover. Earthen remains and a plaque mark the spot near the fork of the Lynn River (Patterson's Creek to many older Port Doverites) and Black Creek where they and seven Frenchmen (the first Europeans known to have ascended the Great Lakes to Sault Ste. Marie) built a hut and chapel.[12] Just outside the community, a cross with the arms of France had been erected on 23 March 1670, claiming the area for King Louis XIV over the Lake Erie region.[13]
By 1794 the first settlers, a group of United Empire Loyalists, had established a hamlet known as Dover Mills (named for the English port of Dover). Peter Walker was the first settler of this community, becoming its unofficial founder.[14]
This community was the subject of an American raid during the War of 1812, on May 14–15, 1814. Much of it was destroyed but was later rebuilt.[15][16][17][18] After making their landing on the shore, 750 American soldiers launched a surprise attack on the village's civilians.[19] Scattered elements of nearby militia and regular units tried to defend the village without any success. Re-enactments carried out by local volunteer groups have allowed the British-Canadian forces to soundly defeat the American troops in battle.[19] The survivors of the war rebuilt the town of Port Dover further downstream on Patterson's Creek. The raid was part of America's Niagara campaigns toward the end of the War of 1812.
During the war, in August 1812, Major General Isaac Brock gathered a force of regulars and militia here. Crossing the lake by boat, they reached Amherstburg (then also in Upper Canada) and attacked and captured the American Hull's Army at Detroit.[20]
In 1835, Port Dover was incorporated as a village and later as a town.
By 1842, the village was growing and had a population of almost 400. The harbour, lighthouse and bridge across the river had been completed as had the road to Hamilton; there was a grammar school, a grist mill, a saw mill and a Presbyterian church in the course of construction.[21] By 1896 the population was 1,000.[22]
In 1877, Port Dover was a large village with 1,100 residents, most living on the west bank of the River Lynn. The South Norfolk Railway was started in the county and began operating in 1889. Even earlier, the Hamilton & Lake Erie Railway (H&LER) began operating in 1873 but was merged with the Hamilton & Northwestern Railway which completed the final section to Port Dover and to Jarvis in the mid 1870s.[21] A report from 1924 also discusses an electric railway that had been introduced "in recent years". This was the Grand River Railway that connected Hespeler, Berlin (later called Kitchener) and Waterloo with connection to Brantford and Port Dover.[23]
At least during the warm months, palm trees thrive on Erie Beach, Port Dover
By the 1920s tourism was an important contributor to the economy, with many summer visitors attracted by the beach. There was some light industry in the town but Port Dover was best known as a major fishing centre, with fish shipped by rail and by ship not only within Canada but also to the U.S.[23] Notable amenities like Ivey's Greenhouses and the incredible Port Dover beaches caused most of the passenger train traffic to occur during the summer months.[24] Rail service was also offered on the Port Dover & Lake Huron Railway (later purchased by Canadian National) line from the Caledonia Train Station to Port Dover until these services were cancelled after October 26, 1957.
A popular amusement arcade was in operation in Port Dover from the mid-1950s to the mid-1990s.[25] Originally consisting of pinball games, it would expand to include video arcade games. During the late-1960s and early-1970s, local teenagers would frequently hang out at places like the Blue Pickerel, the ferris wheel, and the Summer Garden where musical acts like Guy Lombardo would make frequent appearances.[26]
Businesses would often close one hour earlier on Wednesday as a measure to ensure that breadwinners, homemakers and their children would spend more time together until the 1970s. This occurred regardless of negative economic effects and would apply to most non-essential services.
In 1974, the town was amalgamated into the new city of Nanticoke within the Regional Municipality of Haldimand-Norfolk.
The Paris Port Dover Pipe Band was established on February 18, 2000 by Pipe Major Gordon Black as a competitive and as a community pipe band.[27] They act as ambassadors on the global level as well as on a local level. The band was formally established when a constitution and small band were formed out of ten pipers, one bass, and one snare.[27] In 2001, Nanticoke and all other municipalities within the region were dissolved and the region was divided into two single tier municipalities. Port Dover is now an unincorporated community in Ward 6 of Norfolk County. The Stanley Cup came to Port Dover in 2004 (with Jassen Cullimore) when the 2003–04 Tampa Bay Lightning won the Cup. He was the fourth NHL player to present the Stanley Cup to this small hockey town on the shore of Lake Erie.[28] The Canadian Coast Guard stationed the Cape-class motor lifeboatCCGS Cape Lambton in the community in 2005.[29]
Until 2013, Port Dover had a high school which served students aged 14 through 21 in the immediate area. Approximately 1800 young people had fled the Port Dover Area between 2001 and 2011. Academic programs in Valley Heights Secondary School and Delhi District Secondary School were beefed up and prepared to accept former PDCS students after the closure date.[37] An elementary school called Lakewood Public School opened in the old PDCS building in 2013.[38]
Port Dover hosts tens of thousands of people every Friday the 13th for the Friday the 13th motorcycle rally, which was started on 13 November 1981 by a local bike shop owner named Chris Simons at what was then the Commercial Hotel on Main Street.[41][42]
Locations
Port Dover contains the Arbor hot dog restaurant and the Knechtels neighborhood market and fish restaurant.[43]
The Erie Beach Hotel with its Cove Room[44] and The Beach House are also popular dining attractions.
Located just a short driving distance away from the Stelco Lake Erie Works in Nanticoke, Port Dover is the site of romantic sunsets along its surrounding countryside.[43] Port Dover can be used as an easy urban walking trail year round. Recommended activities are cycling, running, hiking, and walking. There are hills on Silver Lake Drive, Prospect Street, Bridge Street, and St. George Street. Most of the streets have sidewalks; but care should be taken around traffic especially during summer weekends. Walking on Park Street or Market Street takes the participant to Powell Park, which is the social epicenter of Port Dover. Depending on the participants' activity level, the town can be walked through in either 3 kilometres or 5 kilometres.[46]
There are scenic waterfalls nearby and tourists generally go to nearby Port Ryerse as a side trip.[43] Local roads that originate from here often lead to the hamlets of Fishers Glen, Normandale and Turkey Point (which is another seasonal beach destination).[47] Even the farmers here generally enjoy the sunsets on their property.[43]Apple wine, produced by the local farmers themselves, can be purchased by anyone due to their lack of alcohol content.[47] This product is available in the Port Dover area.[47] On clear summer nights, the Port Dover lighthouse can be seen glimmering brightly with the moon.[43] The beaches in Port Dover have a tendency to emulate those that are beside the Mediterranean Sea.[47]
Cemetery
At least 5,200 individuals, or families, have their remains interred at Port Dover Cemetery on the Blue Line Road, including famous poet, novelist, short-story writer, critic and editor Raymond Knister. The cemetery is a United Empire Loyalist cemetery that includes veterans from the War of 1812 along with other wars and conflicts that Canada was involved in. Due to the changing Canadian economic climate, a storage place for cremated remains was installed on the premises in 2011.
The Port Dover Cemetery is still functioning as of 2020 and people were buried here as far back as the early 19th-century.
Views of Port Dover, Ontario
Willie's Restaurant in Port Dover on Friday, August 13, 2004.
Union Station in Port Dover, circa the late-1930s.
Related Research Articles
Simcoe is an unincorporated community and former town in Southwestern Ontario, Canada near Lake Erie. It is the county seat and largest community of Norfolk County. Simcoe is at the junction of Highway 3, at Highway 24, due south of Brantford, and accessible to Hamilton by nearby Highway 6. The largest of the communities in Norfolk County, Simcoe had a population of 16,121 at the time of the 2021 Census.
Haldimand County is a rural city-status single-tier municipality on the Niagara Peninsula in Southern Ontario, Canada, on the north shore of Lake Erie, and on the Grand River. Despite its name, it is no longer a county by definition, as all municipal services are handled by a single level of government. Municipal offices are located in Cayuga.
Norfolk County is a rural single-tier municipality on the north shore of Lake Erie in Southwestern Ontario, Canada with a 2016 population of 67,490. Despite its name, it is no longer a county by definition, as all municipal services are handled by a single level of government. The largest community in Norfolk County is Simcoe, whose 2016 population was 13,922. The other population centres are Port Dover, Delhi, Waterford and Port Rowan, and there are many smaller communities. For several years in the late 20th century, the county was merged with Haldimand County but the merged entity was dissolved in 2000.
Dunnville is an unincorporated community located near the mouth of the Grand River in Haldimand County, Ontario, Canada, near the historic Talbot Trail. It was formerly an incorporated town encompassing the surrounding area with a total population of 12,000.
The Lynn River is a fresh water river located in Norfolk County in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. It empties into Lake Erie at Port Dover.
Delhi refers to both a former township and unincorporated community located off of the junction of Ontario Highways 59 and 3. Delhi is known as the "Heart of Tobacco Country." Prior to 1880, this community was known for its lumber industry. One of the Communities in Norfolk County, Ontario, Delhi, had a population of 4,240 at the time of the 2016 Census.
Waterford is one of the Communities in Norfolk County, Ontario and had a population of 3,132 at the time of the 2016 Census.
Port Rowan is a town in Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada. It is located on Lake Erie, adjacent to Long Point. The lakeside community has a population of 1,357 people as of 2021 and sports a number of traditional small businesses which have been operating in the town for decades.
Walsh is a medium-sized hamlet in Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada.
Port Ryerse is a fishing hamlet in Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada, southwest of Port Dover. The hamlet is popular with persons from Southwestern Ontario who rent cottages and fish for pleasure during the summer months.
Nanticoke is an unincorporated community and former city located on the western border of Haldimand County, Ontario, Canada. Nanticoke is located directly across Lake Erie from the US city of Erie, Pennsylvania.
The Grand Erie District School Board is a school board that has legal jurisdiction over Norfolk County, Haldimand County, and Brant County in the province of Ontario, Canada. The main headquarters are in Brantford.
Stelco Lake Erie Works is a greenfield steel mill located in Nanticoke, Ontario, Canada.
Frogmore, Ontario is a small hamlet that is located northwest of Valley Heights Secondary School. Agriculture is the main industry and commerce is non-existent. There is a concrete products company and a church in the hamlet. It is one of the westernmost communities in Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada.
Hillcrest is a hamlet in Norfolk County, Ontario, Canada that is in between Bill's Corners and the town of Simcoe.
Norfolk County in the Canadian province of Ontario consists of a long list of communities. Its four designated population centres are Simcoe, Port Dover, Delhi, and Waterford.
The Green Energy Hub is an energy program covering a region in the Canadian province of Ontario that extends as far west as Port Rowan, as far north as Paris, as far east as Dunnville, and as far south as Lake Erie. Counties covered by the "Green Energy Hub" include Brant County, Haldimand County and Norfolk County.
This is a timeline of the history of Port Dover, Ontario, Canada.
The South Norfolk Railway was incorporated in 1886, to construct a railway from Simcoe, Ontario to Port Rowan, Ontario.
The Lake Erie and Northern Railway was an interurban electric railway which operated in the Grand River Valley in Ontario, Canada. The railway owned and operated a north–south mainline which ran from Galt in the north to Port Dover on the shore of Lake Erie in the south. Along the way, it ran through rural areas of Waterloo County, Brant County, and Norfolk County, as well as the city of Brantford, where it had an interchange with the Brantford and Hamilton Electric Railway. Construction on the mainline began in 1913. The railway began operations in 1916 as a subsidiary of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), which had purchased the line before construction had finished. In 1931, it was consolidated with the Grand River Railway under a single CPR subsidiary, the Canadian Pacific Electric Lines (CPEL), which managed both interurban railways, though they continued to exist as legally separate entities. Passenger service was discontinued in 1955 but electric freight operations continued until 1961, when the LE&N's electric locomotives were replaced by diesel CPR locomotives and the line was de-electrified. In the same year, service on the mainline from Simcoe to Port Dover was discontinued, but the remainder continued to operate as a branchline which as early as 1975 was known as the CP Simcoe Subdivision. The remainder of the line was officially abandoned in the early 1990s, ending almost seventy-five years of operation.
References
↑ "Mayor and Council". norfolkcounty.ca. Norfolk County. Retrieved September 23, 2020.
↑ Road Atlas – Canada, United States, and Mexico (Map) (2008ed.). Peter Heiler Ltd. p.17, 19. §B6–G7, G8–K8, L9, M10–R11.
↑ "Port Dover, Ontario". Canadian Climate Normals 1961–1990. Environment Canada. 9 February 2011. Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2019.
↑ "Wintering Site". ontarioplaques.com. Alan L Brown. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
↑ "Cliff Site". ontarioplaques.com. Alan L. Brown. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
↑ Daniel Pearce (2011). "Green projects receive go-ahead". Brantford Expositor. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2012. The big news, however, was in Haldimand County. That community was awarded a project that could see up to 100 wind turbines along the lake-shore in the Nanticoke area. As well, the proposal that includes the Port Dover windmills extends into Haldimand, where another 40 or more turbines could be located.
↑ John Miner (January 23, 2012). "Farm group calls for turbine halt". Simcoe Reformer. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved January 24, 2012. "We are taking a look at those and we are determined to get clean, renewable energy into the province of Ontario and secure the jobs that help Ontario serve the world with green energy," Bentley said.
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