Gananoque

Gananoque clock tower

Gananoque (or "Gan" as an unofficial short form) is a town in Leeds and Grenville County, Ontario, located at exit 645/648 on Highway 401, ten miles west of the 1000 Islands Bridge and Interstate 81. Approximately 5200 permanent residents call it home but in the summer there are also the "Islanders", folks who come to the Thousand Islands in the Saint Lawrence River. There are actually more like 1800 islands in the river and Gananoque has become a tourist destination because of the islands.

The Gananoque River flows through the town and the Saint Lawrence River is the southern boundary of the town. The town's name is pronounced "ga-na-KNOCK-way" and is an aboriginal name, not French as many assume.

Local industries include Textron Fastening Systems and ECG electrode manufacturer Graphic Controls, Inc.

History

Colonel Joel Stone, who served with Loyalist militia during the American Revolutionary War, established a settlement on this site in 1789. Land was granted to Col. Stone for use as a mill site.

During the War of 1812, the town was attacked and looted by traitors to the British Empire operating from Oswego, New York, USA; unable to transport their plunder back across the river, they burned it.

Mrs. Stone reportedly protected her jewels from the invading American hordes by hiding them in the flour at the mill.

Demographics

The racial make up is:

98.1% White
0.5% Black
0.2% mixed

Religious Denominations

52.9% Protestant
31.9% Catholic
0.5% other Christian
0.9% other religion
13.8% no religion

Age Structure

0-14 years: 17.3%
15-64 years: 60.8%
65 years and over: 21.9%

Local attractions

Lying 25 kilometres east of Kingston, half way between Toronto and Montreal just minutes of the 401 Highway, Gananoque is referred to as the "Gateway to the Thousand Islands," which lie next to it in the St. Lawrence River.

Local attractions include boat cruises to the 1000 Islands and Boldt Castle NY, a charity casino and live theatre The Springer Theatre, and the Firehall Theatre.

The 1000 Islands-Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve designated in November 2002 is the 3rd in Ontario, the 12th in Canada, and over 400 around the world. http://www.biospherenetwork.com and is part of the UNESCO’s Programme on Man and the Biosphere http://www.unesco.org/mab/about.htm

External links

1000 Islands casino

Attractions

Accommodations B&B's

Hotels

Cottages

KoolPines

Community