Jump to content

Brockville

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 67.70.160.240 (talk) at 21:55, 6 April 2008 (→Shopping). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Brockville, Ontario
A bust of General Isaac Brock near the downtown Brockville courthouse.
A bust of General Isaac Brock near the downtown Brockville courthouse.
Motto: 
Industria Intelligentia Prosperitas (Latin: "Diligence Understanding Prosperity")
Map
CountryCanada
ProvinceOntario
Founded1785
Government
 • MayorDavid L. Henderson
Area
 • City
20.74 km2 (8.01 sq mi)
 • Land20.74 km2 (8.01 sq mi)
Population
 (2006)
 • City
21,957 (Ranked 00)
 • Metro
39,668
 source: Statistics Canada
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Websitehttp://www.brockville.com/

Brockville is located in the Thousand Islands region on the St. Lawrence River in Leeds & Grenville County, Eastern Ontario, Canada.

Known as the "City of the 1000 Islands", Brockville is located on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River, directly opposite Morristown, New York, about half-way between Cornwall in the east and Kingston in the west and a little over an hour's drive south of the nation's capital, Ottawa. Brockville is one of the oldest cities in Ontario and is named after the British general Sir Isaac Brock.

History

Victoria Hall - now the site of Brockville's City Hall was built in 1862-64 as a concert hall in front, and a butchers' market in the rear

This area of Ontario was first settled in 1785 by hundreds of American refugees who later became known as United Empire Loyalists for their political position on the side of King George III during the American War of Independence. This struggle between Britain and the 13 American colonies took place in the years 1776 to 1783 and seriously divided loyalties in some colonies such as New York and Vermont. During the 6-year war, which ended with the capitulation of the British forces in 1782, many of those colonists who remained loyal to the crown were frequently subject to harsh reprisals and unfair dispossession of property. Many "Loyalists" chose to flee north to the then British colony of Quebec. Later this western region of Canada was opened and settled by English-speaking refugees of the past American war.

The St. Lawrence River, which flows between Brockville, Ontario and Morristown, New York, was named by French explorers in the 1700s to commemorate the martyred Roman Christian, Saint Laurentis. The small inlet on the north shore of the St. Lawrence River had been a natural resting point for French voyageurs in the past. In 1785 the first U.E. Loyalist to take up land here on the site of Brockville was a disbanded ensign with the King's Rangers from the state of New York, William Buell Sr. (1751-1832). The initial settlement on this site was commonly referred to as Buell's Bay. Around 1810 the village was designated as Elizabethtown by government officials of Upper Canada. Leading residents of the small village decided, about 1812, that it might be appropriate to suggest a name which differed from the surrounding township of Elizabethtown.

This was during the ensuing second war with Canada's American neighbours, known as the War of 1812-14. The commanding ranking British General in Upper Canada and the temporary administrator of the province was Major-General Isaac Brock who was celebrated as the "Hero and Saviour" of Upper Canada because of his recent success in securing the surrender of Fort Detroit. Perhaps to curry favour with Gen Brock, certain leading citizens in the village including Charles Jones, proposed the name of Brockville and began using this new name in their correspondence and dealings with Isaac Brock who was also the civil administrator of the province. Gen. Brock was soon involved in other battles on the Niagara Peninsula, and on October 13th 1812, he was fatally shot while leading his troops up the heights near the village of Queenston, then being held by American militia.

File:Sally Grant on Court House.jpg
The Statue of Sally Grant sits atop of the Court House

The general had been aware of the honour being offered by the residents of Elizabethtown but may have been unable to give it his official blessing before his death. The new name was later accepted by the provincial bureaucrats and soon became commonly used by residents and visitors. In 1830 the growing population of Brockville had managed to exceed the 1000 mark. This entitled it to be represented by its own elected member in the House of Assembly, and Henry Jones, the village postmaster, was elected in October 1830 to the 11th Parliament of the Province.

Brockville became Ontario's first incorporated self-governing town on January 28, 1832, two years before the town of Toronto. By means of the Brockville Police Act passed by the Legislative Assembly of Upper Canada, Brockville was given the right to govern its own affairs, pass laws and raise taxes. The first elections for the new Board of Police were held on April 2, 1832 to choose 4 members to the Board. These four in turn chose a fifth member, Daniel Jones, who was also chosen as the first Police Board president or Mayor of Brockville. This was the gentleman who in March 1836 became the first native Upper Canadian to receive a royal knighthood from King William IV, and became Sir Daniel Jones.

The town became a local centre of industry including shipbuilding, saddleries, tanneries, tinsmiths, a foundry, a brewery, and several hotels in the 1800s. By 1854, a patent medicine industry had sprung up in Brockville and in bordering Morristown, NY featuring products such as Dr Morse's Indian Root Pills, Dr. McKenzie's Worm Tablets and later, Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People.

The south portal of the Brockville Railway Tunnel, Canada's first railway tunnel, opened in 1860.
The CPR caboose or "van" donated to Brockville by the Canadian Pacific Railway for display. It is located on the waterfront near the tunnel.

In 1855, Brockville was chosen as a divisional point on the line of the new Grand Trunk Railway, which was built and opened from Montreal to Toronto. At the same time, the north-south line of the Brockville & Ottawa Railway was built as a transportation link to join the St. Lawrence River ship route with the timber trade of the Ottawa Valley. A well-engineered tunnel for this railway was dug and blasted underneath the middle of Brockville from 1854 to 1860. This was the first railway tunnel of its kind created and opened in Canada, and remains in place for visitors to enter and experience.

Brockville and many other towns in Canada West became involved in the threatened Fenian invasion following the close of the American Civil War in 1865. In June 1866, the Irish-American "Brotherhood of Fenians" invaded Canada. Raids were launched across the Niagara River into Canada West and from Vermont into Canada East. Canadian Premier John A. Macdonald called on all the volunteer militia companies in every town to protect Canada. The Brockville Infantry Company and Brockville Rifle Company were mobilized to protect Brockville. These unsuccessful Fenian Raids were a significant factor leading to the creation of the new Dominion of Canada in 1867.

Brockville was granted the official status as a City in 1962. Its coat of arms features a beehive surrounded by a golden chain and bears the motto Industria, Intelligentia, Prosperitas. This is an official heraldic design. Brockville is also one of the few cities that has a recognized heraldic flag.

Transportation and communications

Brockville is almost midway between Toronto and Montreal and less than one hour from the Nation's Capital, Ottawa. Highway 401 runs through Brockville, with exits at Leeds & Grenville County Road 29 and North Augusta Road. There are several daily VIA Rail connections to Montreal, Toronto and Ottawa and the Ottawa International Airport is approximately 50 minutes away. There is a city transportation system available.

There are two international bridges which border the community with access to the U.S. markets via New York State.

Brockville has high band/high speed telecommunication capability provided by both Bell Canada and AT&T fibre lines.

Economy

Brockville is the home to several large industrial manufacturers. 3M operates two factories in Brockville, manufacturing tape and occupational health & safety products. Procter & Gamble operations in the city manufacturer dryer sheets and cleaning products, employing 600. Other industries include ceiling fan manufacturer Canarm, pharmaceutical manufacturer Trillium Canada, Shorewood Packaging (a division of International Paper) and the oil-blending plant of Shell Canada. Canadian retailer Giant Tiger has also opened a distribution centre for frozen products in Brockville. Abbott Laboratories has a manufacturing plant in Brockville, making infant formula and adult nutritionals for the domestic and overseas markets. Many area residents are employed at the Invista Canada facility (formerlyDuPont Canada Ltd.) located in Maitland, just east of Brockville.

Brockville is also the main administrative, health-care and commercial centre for Leeds & Grenville county. Major public-sector employers include the Upper Canada District School Board, which has its headquarters in Brockville, and the Brockville Mental Health Centre.

The local A&P which was later bought out by Food Basics in 2007 can be seen from the 401. Some famous celebrities got their start working at this location such as Todd Gill, Jamie Froats and Nate Vandermeer.

Shopping

Brockville has four major shopping Destinations.

On Parkedale Avenue East you have SmartCentres Brockville which has a Wal-Mart, Winners, Real Canadian Superstore, Home Depot, Reitmans, Payless ShoeSource, EB Games, Boston Pizza, Starbucks(opening soon), GNC, FutureShop(opening May 2009,La Senza (April 2008) and many more stores coming soon.

On Parkdale Ave West you have the 1000 islands mall which has a Galaxy Cinema, Sears, Shoppers Drug Mart/Pharmaprix, PJ's Pets (formerly Super Pet), Staples/Bureau en Gros.

On Stewart Blvd you have the Brockville Shopping Centre. Brockville's first unencolsed shopping centre. With Tennants Zellers, Valu-Mart (formerly No Frills), PharmaPlus/Rexall, Dairy Queen etc

And Finally The Downtown Core. With Over 100 Restaurants and Boutiques including Pizza Pizza , Loeb, Leons, Home Hardware etc.

Tourism

File:Carlb-st-larry-seaway-morristown-brockville-narrows.jpg
The St. Lawrence River flows between Brockville, Ontario and Morristown, NY. This significant river was named by French explorers in the 1700s to commemorate the martyred Roman Christian, Saint Laurentis.

The community is dominated by the St. Lawrence River and is known as The City of the Thousand Islands. St. Lawrence River tour boats offers scenic trips on the river. The Brockville area is the launching point for some of the best fresh-water wreck diving in the world. Numerous sunken ships have been discovered below the waters of the St. Lawrence and a number of dive operators with fully equipped boats are ready to take divers to these sites.

A revitalized downtown area, waterfront open to the public with parks and walking trails, and numerous shopping locations are found throughout the city. The city's architecture consists of many stately mansions and elaborate fountains, carefully preserved as reminders of Canadian history. The historic Fulford Place house museum is located in the east end of Brockville at 287 King St. E. This was the palatial home of Senator George T. Fulford, whose success in marketing "Dr. Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People" around the world made him one of the area's richest industrialists before his death in 1905. The house owned and operated by the Ontario Heritage Trust is open daily for tours.

Brockville has been awarded one of Canada's safest communities by the World Health Organization.[1]

Music, art and dance

The city has several music, art and dance organizations, such as Brockville Artists Studio Association, Brockville Concert Association, Brockville Musicians' Association, Brockville Operatic Society Inc., City of Brockville Pipe Band, and the Thousand Islanders Chorus.

The Brockville Concert Band arises from a long tradition of community and military bands in Brockville. Civic bands provided entertainment at public venues such as community picnics and outdoor skating rinks. The Brockville Rifles Reserve Band entertained "on the green" in the 1930s and 40s.

Military band members returning from WWII formed the Brockville Civic Band. Re-organized as the Brockville Concert Band in 1974, the BCB inherited a musical tradition (and actual sheet music) from Civic and military bands dating back to the turn of the 20th century.

The Brockville Concert Band plays a series of summer concerts every second Tuesday in Hardy Park in Brockville within view of the beautiful St. Lawrence River. They also play for various civic functions and entertain at charitable fundraising events.

Since 1995, the band's musical director and conductor has been trumpeter and music teacher Lance Besharah.

St. Lawrence College in Brockville is home to the Music Theatre - Performance Program which trains students to enter the professional world of musical theatre. SLC Stage produces three professional quality musicals each season at the Brockville Arts Centre.

Brockville is home to many aspiring artists and has seen several independent films projects come out of it. One example would be the short film "The Most Misunderstood" filmed in the summer of 2006. The filmed featured a documentarist named Ted Kepowsky capturing the life a local teenager, Daryl Fitzjerald. The film was praised by critics and received four shelve spaces at the local movie rental facilities for a total of three months. The movie then went on to inspire the short internet series "The Daryl and Ted show". The show broke new ground as the first series to pair up a filmmaker and a mildly mentally handicapped boy. The most popular episode was episode three which involved Daryl killing Ted to claim the life time supply of a popular soda beverage. After the completion of episode 4 the creators of the series went into recluse and have yet to surface again in popular media. No one knows about their current whereabouts.

Local Media

The city's main daily newspaper is The Recorder & Times.

Radio stations broadcasting in Brockville:

Sports

Brockville has had a very strong sports heritage relative to communities of its size in Ontario. Several local clubs, organizations and high schools have achieved success on provincial, national, and international levels, such as Brockville Rowing Club,[2] one of the oldest and most successful rowing clubs in Canada. The Rowing Club has captured the Royal Canadian Henley Championships several times. The club has also sent crews to London, England where they have captured a Royal Henley World Championship. This success often comes by competition against clubs from much larger Canadian centers such as Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Close to 50 Brockville Area Youth are offered an opportunity to participate in a national level rowing program annually. The club has also sent athletes to cities like Amsterdam. This year, two athletes, Stuart Taylor and Conlin McCabe will be competing at the worlds in China.

Thousand Islands Secondary School is home to a strong high school track & field and cross-country running program. The Pirates have captured numerous Canadian championships and have won 5 straight overall provincial (OFSAA) Ontario championships in track & field and cross country running in an association of over 1000 schools since 2004. With over 15 former students currently on NCAA athletic track & field scholarships in the United States, TISS has been awarded over $1,000,000 in student athletic scholarships. The TISS team travels all over North America including Ohio, Florida, New Hampshire, and British Columbia, consistently winning major international championships. The accomplishments of the school have inspired the community to construct a $1.5 million athletic centre at the school.

Brockville Bunnies Youth Baseball Program is also an elite level program that operates out of this small city, with provincial championships and several pro and Olympic graduates. The Brockville youth basketball teams, the Brockville Blues and the Brockville Blazers, provide basketball coaching and training for boys and girls across the area. The Blues and Blazers have repeatedly placed in the Ontario Baseball Association (OBA) championships. A female basketball player, Stacey Dales (a graduate of Thousand Islands Secondary School), has gone on to play for the Oklahoma University Sooners, coming in a close second for the NCAA title in her graduating year. She also has the highest Canadian woman's draft pick for the WNBA, where she has played for the Washington Mystics, and is currently playing for the Chicago Sky women's team. Also, former TISS star guard Kendra Walker-Roche currently plays in the NCAA for Fresno State University. Upper Canada Swim Club is another local youth organization that operate at a high level of competition.

There are several golf courses in the Brockville area for a variety of skill levels. Sunnidel Golf is a par three course designed for an easy going round. The Brockville Highlands is a full length 18 hole course. The course has a small membership and is open to patrons willing to pay green fees. The Brockville Country Club poses greater difficulty to the average golfer. The membership comprises an older demographic and is semi-private. The course is open to green fees however certain playing restrictions are imposed. The Brockville Country Club is also the home of current NCAA golfer and former junior golf star Matthew McMahon. Widely considered the most dominant golfer in the Ottawa Valley since Lee Curry, he is now leading the DePaul University golf team in Chicago, Illinois, and holds nearly every school record including the single round scoring record of 63. He has also won two tournaments at the NCAA Division I level.

Education

There are four high schools located in and around the City of Brockville. Brockville Collegiate Institute, with an enrollment of approximately 500, is a predominantly university preparatory school with a strong rowing and football program. The BCI Stage Crew is a team of students who are particularly proficient in many aspects of technical theatre. Due to the auditorium at BCI, the BCI Stage Crew has a long tradition of experienced Technical Directors and Crew members alike, some who have gone on to work professionally in the theatre and concert show business circuits. Thousand Islands Secondary School, with an enrollment of 1160, is both a university and college preparatory school with tech facilities and athletics programs, most notably the track and field, girls basketball, boys soccer, and cross country running teams. St. Mary Catholic High School, with around 600 students, also had athletic success with their girls basketball programs, winning the all Ontarios, back to back, in the late 90s.

Public elementary schools in the city include Commonwealth Public School, Prince of Wales Public School, Westminster Public School, Toniata Public School and Vanier Public School. The Catholic elementary schools are: St. Francis Xavier, St. John Bosco and James L. Jordan. There is also a French Catholic elementary and high school, the Académie Catholique Ange-Gabriel.

St. Lawrence College (Brockville Campus) has been graduating post secondary students since the 1960s and has an enrollment of around 800.[3]

References

  1. ^ Brockville Police Services - WHO Designation
  2. ^ Brockville Rowing Club
  3. ^ St. Lawrence College (Brockville Campus)

Organizations and schools


44°35′N 75°41′W / 44.583°N 75.683°W / 44.583; -75.683

Wikisource has the text of the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article "Brockville".
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brockville&oldid=203844288"