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Our Villages and Hamlets
Rideau Lakes is a community of Villages and Hamlets. Explore and learn about the landscape and the people. Each village and hamlet have a unique culture and story to tell. Whether you’re a visitor looking to discover your roots in the area, a family trying out an adventure on the water, or an urbanite seeking a safe and quiet, rural lifestyle… Rideau Lakes will find a place in your heart.
For thousands of years before European settlers arrived in what is now called Rideau Lakes, Algonquin speaking peoples, the Massasauga and proto-Hurons lived in these lands. Indigenous artifacts have been discovered around all of the lakes throughout this area, some that are more than 9000 years old. When the European settlers arrived, just over 200 years ago, the communities of Rideau Lakes were born.
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Set on Big Rideau Lake, Portland has been a boating community for hundreds of years. Very welcoming to boaters, you will find waterfront dining, cafes, a pizzeria, an art gallery and shops including grocery, spirits, post office and a bank within walking distance of the harbour and marinas.
The Portland branch of the Rideau Lakes Public library offers public washrooms and free wifi. Outdoors, enjoy beautiful Hanna Park, a children’s playground, swimming at Portland Community Beach or venture to the Cataraqui Trail offering 104 kms for cycling or nature walks just east of the village. The Emmanuel Heritage Centre (formerly Emmanuel Anglican Church 1861) built of fine local sandstone at the crest of Portland Hill, stands as the landmark of the village.
For more detailed information about visiting Portland, see the article: Boat into Portland
The History of Portland
Several fine buildings mark Portland’s evolution as a community of faith, home and business. The Gallagher Bank Building, erected in 1903 is a classic example of bank architecture of that era. The Polk Store, built in 1891 and the Toffey House, built in 1892 manifest the prosperity of the village at the turn of the 20th century. But the landmark of Portland is Emmanuel Anglican Church building. Erected in 1861 of fine local sandstone, the community now seeks new purpose for this stately building at the crest of Portland Hill.
Albert Gallagher House
14 Water Street, Portland
The property at 14 Water Street is the former site of the Albert Gallagher House.
Albert Gallagher, at one time, held title to approximately 15 homes in the village of Portland. At the turn of the century, Gallagher built several of the buildings in Portland around this corner of town, including a store across the street at 19 Water Street, a warehouse at the foot of Main Street at 19A Water Street, the Albert Gallagher Bank Building (1903) at 11 Water Street, a few buildings on Main Street, and a historic steamboat wharf on the Big Rideau.
Gallagher was arguably responsible for Portland’s heyday as a thriving tourist destination for the Rideau waterway steamboat cruises at the turn of the century and could be considered the founder of Portland’s water-based tourism.
On the same lot is the site of the demolished Peter Bresee house. This former home is associated with an earlier, pre-confederation era of Portland’s history that developed in the wake of building the Rideau Canal. It is historically linked to the hamlet’s oldest documented extant building from that era; the circa 1830’s former Bresee store, across the street at 17 Water Street.
Still existing on the property is a ‘carriage house’; a cast concrete block structure (c. 1920s).
Historic Photographs of Portland: Lakes and Islands, Times Past
A small community located on County Road 42, Newboro is a popular destination spot for anglers wishing to land one of the many Largemouth Bass that inhabit Newboro Lake. Located adjacent to the Newboro lock station on the Rideau Canal, Newboro is also a popular stop for boaters. It is a good place to shop or to dine at one of the local restaurants or inns.
Newboro is the site of one of the four blockhouses built by Colonel John By to protect the Rideau. Whether you come by boat or by car, the lock station is a nice place to stop, get out, and stretch your legs. Also, check out the Newboro Loon, located in "downtown" Newboro.
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The History of Newboro
During the construction of the Rideau Canal, it was necessary to dig a two-kilometer-long channel to span the isthmus that separated Rideau Lake from Mud (Newboro) Lake. This channel linked the navigable waters of the Rideau River System, which flows northward to what later became Ottawa, with the Cataraqui River System, which flows southward to Kingston, the St. Lawrence and Great Lakes. This cut through the isthmus proved to be one of the most difficult works undertaken in the building of the canal as it necessitated excavation through the ridge of limestone and Canadian Shield granite that formed the height of land separating these two river systems. Many lives were lost to accidents and swamp fever (malaria), and several contractors went bankrupt. Ultimately the excavation was completed under the supervision of the 7th Company of the Royal Sappers and Miners between 1829 and 1832, allowing boats to travel the length of the canal from Ottawa to Kingston. The lock station at Newboro was originally called “The Isthmus”.
A community grew up on the east side of the canal where a toll ferry, and later a bridge, took travellers across the channel. A block house or fort was added and garrisoned for several decades against feared Yankee invasion. Today, Newboro Lock is one of only three in the Rideau System that has hydraulically-operated steel gates.
Located at the junction of the canal, a ‘stone road’ and later a rail line, Newboro thrived and grew as a meeting and commerce centre through the 19th century. Although it suffered several devastating fires, many of Newboro’s original buildings survived. Today, they anchor the character of this community as part of the Rideau Canal – UNESCO World Heritage Site and its reputation across North America as a mecca for recreational fishing in summer, festivities on snow and ice in winter, and shopping all year round.
Storyboards
View two Newboro Storyboards: 1. Historic Newboro and 2. Newboro - Historic Centre for Sport Fishing.
Click on a plaque to enlarge
Documentary Film: The Rideau Canal: The Big Breakthrough
Historic Photographs of Newboro: Lakes and Islands, Times Past
Elgin is situated just off Highway 15, in the heart of corn country. It offers many services for both the visitor and local resident. There are three churches in town, a library, a public school and a regional high school. The local population is about 300 but, in the summer, Elgin serves as the hub for several thousand cottage residents.
Elgin Days is an annual festival with a parade, flea market, barbecue and more. It is usually held on the second weekend of July.
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The History of Elgin
The land on which the community of Elgin grew was first settled in the very early 1800s by farmer-landowner Ebenezer Halladay. For its first decades, it was called “Halladay’s Corners.” Even though the Rideau Canal was constructed some distance away, its construction brought dozens of quarrymen and teamsters to a camp near Halladay’s Corners where they quarried thick strata of Cambrian sandstone. These ashlars were transported to Jones Falls for the construction of the great dam and locks, as well as the locks at Davis and Chaffeys.
In 1841, Mormons from the United States converted many local people to the Mormon faith, and many of these joined the exodus through Illinois to Salt Lake City in 1849. But shopkeeper Ira Mitchel stayed, and for some years succeeded in calling his community here in north Leeds “Nauvoo” after the Mormon community in Illinois by the same name, meaning “beautiful place.”
In 1850 a post office was established and the growing farming community was officially named after the Eighth Earl of Elgin, James Bruce, Governor General of Upper Canada, 1847–1854.
Throughout the latter half of the 19th century, Elgin prospered to become the most prominent village in South Crosby Township. It was, and remains, a thriving service centre for farmers, commuters, summer residents and visitors to the surrounding lakes.
The Amazing World of Clifford Pennock
A feature documentary on the life and photographic art of Clifford Pennock. Born in Elgin Ontario in 1880, he became the "Karsh" of his times. He brilliantly captured life in South Crosby in the early decades of the 1900s.
The program has 8 chapters:
- Meet Clifford Pennock @ 02:03
- Sport Fishing @ 06:53
- The Portraits @ 10:14
- Landscapes @ 17:09
- The Children @ 21:58
- Darkroom Magic @ 26:53
- South Crosby Life @ 30:30
- A Master Beyond His Times @ 40:53
Storyboards
View three Elgin Storyboards: “1. The Artistry of Clifford Pennock” , “2. The World of Clifford Pennock", and “3. Historic Elgin”.
Click on a plaque to enlarge
Podcast: Story of the Elgin Quarries
Historic Photographs of Elgin: Lakes and Islands, Times Past
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Chaffeys Lock Picnic Guide
The History of Chaffeys Lock
Samuel Chaffey, descendant of a family of woolen manufacturers from Somerset, England, came to Canada with several relatives in 1816. In 1820, he established a successful milling business at the outlet of Indian Lake where the water fell 13 feet (4 m.) in a river leading to Opinicon Lake. By 1829 when Sam Chaffey died of swamp fever (malaria), his milling complex consisted of grist, carding and lumber mills and a distillery, serving an evolving farming hinterland. The construction of the Rideau Canal necessitated the demolition of Chaffey’s mills to make way for the building of the lock and dam. Colonel By purchased the mills from Chaffey’s widow, Mary Ann and his brother, Benjamin. The contracted work was done by John G. Haggart and completed in 1831, and a maze of swamps was transformed into a navigable and picturesque Newboro Lake. Today, Chaffeys Lock is a thriving cottage and tourist community centred with its lock station and its famous resorts that attract tourists from around the world.
Documentary Film: Fettercairn WWI on Indian Lake
Podcast: Story of Tree Fishing in Chaffeys Lock
Historic Photographs of Chaffeys Lock: Lakes and Islands, Time Past
“Delta is a vibrant community rich with heritage and natural amenities. Delta will leverage its assets to foster a mixed community that supports families, seniors, youth, and visitors through sustaining and developing local services.”
Delta has a beautiful natural rural landscape, is rich in heritage, and is located in the centre of the Frontenac Arch Biosphere, between two pristine lakes.
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Currently the village has a library and a recreation centre that includes a rink, tennis court and offers other sports. Lower Beverley Lake Township Park is a family park and offers lots of room for family camping, cottages for rent, a beach and a boat launch, a great playground for children and the village ball diamond.
In early April, the Delta Maple Syrup Festival (1967) celebrates that sweet local nectar, maple syrup.
At the end of July, the Delta Fair (1830), one of Canada's oldest fairs, (now 190 years old) is held. Originally an agriculture fair, it has expanded to include many fun activities for the whole family and is a social hub and homecoming. Its agricultural roots remain with events such as home craft judging, tractor pulls, horse pull and shows and the ever popular Midway.
The last Saturday in September is the Harvest Festival (since 2015) centered on the Old Stone Mill with lots of local produce, crafts, and hot apple cider.
Winter brings Delta’s Yuletide Magic of Lights – beginning the last weekend in November and every evening throughout to the New Year the Old Stone Mill is beautifully lit with “candles” and thousands of Christmas lights are on display throughout the village of Delta.
Along with the Fair and Festivals, Delta has many other attractions and organizations like the United & Baptist Churches, St Paul’s Community Centre, Branch 207 of the Royal Canadian Legion and Auxiliary, Delta Fire Station, Delta Mill Society and many other groups in the community who work together to ensure the success of continuing major events. This vast volunteer network always has room for newcomers.
The main attraction in Delta is the Old Stone Mill, built in 1810, now a museum and a designated National Historic Site of Canada that brings people from all over the world. The Mill has been completely renovated and had working millstones installed for its 200th anniversary in 2010. It is open to the public from Victoria Day weekend to Labour Day and on special events, where it continues to grind and sell locally grown heritage Red Fife wheat, offers interpretation, exhibits and employs local students annually to conduct guided tours.
There are public boat launches on both the Upper and Lower Beverley Lakes and access to the UNESCO Rideau Canal is nearby (at Portland and Newboro).
Local services within the Township of Rideau Lakes include Country Roads Community Health Centre and several pharmacies. The urban centres of Kingston, Brockville, Smiths Falls and Ottawa are close by for hospitals, shopping and entertainment.
Enjoy delightful walking tours of the village, cycling routes through the scenic countryside and quality paddling on both Upper and Lower Beverley Lakes.
The residents of Delta have always taken pride in their community and no more so than with the creation of the Delta Community Improvement Committee who after the last restaurant closed, decided it was time to revitalize the community. A marketing strategy created the DO Delta Ontario logo, web site and Face Book page. The DCIC’s current project is the Delta Waterfront Project, right in the heart of the community, and across from the Jubilee Block, which is in the process of restoration.
This park will bring a sense of place to the main hub of our community. There will be an accessible ramp so everyone can meander down to the waterfront to just sit by the water or access a boat. There will be better and more stabilized docking, a kayak launch, and an Amphitheatre. Boaters will once again be able to come up the Delta Creek and dock their boats to access the local businesses, community services, and heritage destinations.
Delta is a destination that calls people home and welcomes others to come and see!
Delta is located on traditional Anishinaabe territory. In February 1794, Able Stevens, a United Empire Loyalist from Vermont, led several families into the area, settling on Plum Hollow Creek. The area was unsurveyed at the time, but after the establishment of Bastard Township, Stevens, in June 1796, was granted land, including the area of today’s village of Delta. Although initially known as Stevenstown, after the opening of the Old Stone Mill in 1812 (built 1810-11), the small village became known as Stone Mills. In 1827 the name was changed to “Beverley” after Chief Justice John Beverley Robinson who donated a bell to the Anglican Church. The name was officially changed to Delta in 1857, since the triangular area between the lakes resembled the Greek letter delta.
Delta prospered as a farming and industrial village, which supported pioneer trades, general stores, smiths, hotels, churches, carriage works, a distillery, brickyard, foundry, cheese factory, tannery, newspaper and even a hospital. For more information about our history please visit www.deltamill.org or www.deltaontario.com.
Documentary Film:
Beverley Riots and a Death in Philipsville
Historic Photographs of Delta:
Video:
Milling Demonstration by Chris Wooding at the Old Stone Mill
Read the Latest Delta Pilot
Experience
Rideau Lakes
Located a short drive from downtown Ottawa, the Township of Rideau Lakes is a rural community that includes a number of villages and hamlets, each with its own identity.
Each community within Rideau Lakes has something to offer. Portland is the gateway to Big Rideau Lake. Newboro is considered a haven for anglers. Local residents and visitors agree Chaffey's Lock offers water access in one of the region's most tranquil settings. Delta boasts the Old Stone Mill, a National Historic Site of Canada built in 1810. Elgin is considered the township centre for shopping. Smaller villages and hamlets are Chantry, Crosby, Forfar, Lombardy, Morton, Plum Hollow and Philipsville.
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