Port Hope, Ontario

Port Hope is a town in Ontario, Canada, about 70 km east of Toronto. The town is located on the north shore of Lake Ontario (+43° 56' 54.96", -78° 17' 36.96") and is situated at the extreme western end of Northumberland County. Port Hope's nearest neighbour (7 km to the east) is the marginally larger Cobourg, Ontario.

"Ganaraska" was the name attributed to the area by the natives of the region and is the name of the river that flows through the town. The name originates from "Ganaraske", the name for the Iroquois village which was located at the current townsite. In 1793 United Empire Loyalists became the first permanent settlers in Port Hope, which was then known as Smith's Creek after a former fur trader. After being renamed, briefly, Toronto, it was renamed again in 1817 after Colonel Henry Hope, lieutenant governor of Quebec, and in 1834 Port Hope was incorporated as a town. Relatively slow growth throughout its history has resulted in much of its original architecture not being demolished in the name of progress. In 2001, the original town amalgamated with Hope Township to form the Municipality of Port Hope. The municipality's population in 2006 was 16,500.

Port Hope is celebrated as having the best preserved 19th century streetscape in Ontario. The town's Heritage Board and Association (HBA) is very active and advises on the restoration and preservation of architecturally or historically significant buildings. With over 250 heritage designated buildings throughout the municipality, Port Hope has a higher per capita rate of preservation than any other town or city in Canada. Downtown businesses are tightly regulated by the HBA to maintain the town's unique character.

The Capitol Theatre is Canada's last functioning atmospheric theatre. The theatre's main auditorium is styled after an outdoor medieval courtyard where rolling clouds are projected onto the ceiling. The town recently spent in excess of 3 million dollars renovating and upgrading the theatre in 2004/2005.

Port Hope is home to various industries. Downtown Port Hope is well-known as a shopping destination for antiques and other specialty items. The town's role in elder care (in the form of adult-lifestyle centred housing, retirement and nursing homes) will increase because of its continuing growth as a retirement community.

The Ganaraska River (affectionately known as "The Ganny"), is well-known to area anglers for annual salmon and trout runs, and has a history of flooding.

Port Hope hosts many attractions and events throughout the year, including:

Ganaraska Forest Centre
Ganaraska Trail
Canadian Firefighters Museum
Port Hope Yacht Club
Vintage Film Festival
Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny (a "race" in honour of a previous flood)
Port Hope Festival Theatre
Port Hope & District Agricultural Fall Fair
The All Canadian Jazz Festival
Christmas Festival of Trees
Various artisan, house and garden tours

Education

St. Mary's, Catholic JK-3
St. Anthony's, Catholic 4-8
Beatrice Strong PS, Public JK-6
Dr. L. B. Powers, Public JK-6 (to be closed June 30, 2006)
Central Public School, Public JK-6
Howard Jordan Public School, Public JK-6
George Hamilton Public School, Public JK-6
Port Hope High School, Public Gr 7-12 High school
Port Hope High School Student to Work Transition Program (SWOT Campus), Public Grade 9-12.
Trinity College School, Private Gr 5-12 school.

Major industries

Cameco Corporation, which recently (2006) bought out local industry giant Zircatec.
Textron Automotive
St Elizabeth Health Care
Northumberland Package Handling
Collins & Aikman
ESCO Limited
Sterling Truss Company

Demographics

Racial Composition

96.5% White
1.5% Aboriginal
0.6% Black
0.5% Korean

Religious Groups

56.7% Protestant
19.7% Catholic
2.7% other Christian
20.8%

External links

Municipality of Port Hope Official Website Municipality of Port Hope
Port Hope Chamber of Commerce Port Hope Chamber of Commerce
Capitol Theatre