Hastings, Ontario
Hastings, Ontario is a village in the municipality of Trent Hills in Northumberland County, Ontario, Canada.. It is known as "The Hub of the Trent", as Hastings is directly on the Trent River. It has a tall, blue water tower, which can be seen from kilometres away. The downtown core has a few 2 and 3 storey buildings. Main downtown runs along central Bridge Street and Front Street West. There are parks throughout Hastings, and many restaurants and diners. Hastings is a safe, peaceful place with no mentionable crime.
Recently, a new marina was built in Hastings, which adds to the already busy waterfront.
Hastings is also home to a famous Canada Day fireworks display, which can be seen every July 1st at the Hastings waterfront. The display was ranked as one of the best in Ontario, in the top 3.
Places Near Hastings
North: Norwood, Ontario, Havelock, Ontario.
South: Roseneath, Ontario, Warkworth, Ontario.
West: Keene, Ontario, Peterborough, Ontario.
East: Campbellford, Ontario.
Map
A Brief History
Hastings, on the Trent River, is the gateway to Rice Lake, the second largest lake in the Trent system. In 1615 Samuel Champlain is said to have navigated this historical site. In 1820, the town was named Crook’s Rapids.
The Village of Hastings was incorporated in 1875. In its early history lumber from the northern part of Peterborough passed through Hastings locks on its way to Lake Ontario. It originally had a foundry, a cotton factory, flouring and grist mills as well as a stone Roman Catholic Church, the Church of England and Presbyterian and Methodist Churches.
Demographics
Hastings has a population of approximately 1200, as of the 2001 Census. Recently, Hastings amalgamated with the Village of Warkworth, the Town of Campbellford, and various smaller settlements to create the Municipality of Trent Hills. Trent Hills has a population of approximately 12,500.
The vast majority of people in Hastings speak only English. Most people are Christian, however about one quarter of the population has no religious affiliation. Hastings has an aging population, with 81% of people 15 or over. The Ontario average is slightly less, at about 80%.
Transportation
Hastings is served by County Road 45, County Road 25 and County Road 2. County Road 45 is a longer route that helps connect Hastings to many other towns and villages. The 45 runs from Cobourg, Ontario, the county seat, which is about 45 kilometres to the south of Hastings. It ends at Highway 7 in the village of Norwood, Ontario to the north. It helps connect Hastings to Highway 401, the busiest expressway in Canada. The 401 runs directly north of Cobourg and connects directly to the 45.
County Road 25 runs from Hastings to Warkworth. It can also be used to travel to Campbellford by turning onto County Road 35, south on the 25, before Warkworth.
County Road 2 connects Hastings to Keene. It also helps to provides an alternate route to Peterborough. It begins in Hastings, and ends in Bailieboro.
The Trent River is also crucial, as it connects Hastings to Lake Ontario, making Hastings easy to acces by boat. Hastings has many fishers in the area during the summer months. There are also trailer parks and camping grounds in the area, making Hastings a central place for tourists in the region.
Education
Hastings is served by Hastings Public School. There are also high schools in nearby Campbellford and Norwood. Peterborough, Ontario, the biggest city in the area, provides college and university education, with Fleming College and Trent University.
Climate
Because of the influence of the Great Lakes, Ontario experiences smaller variations in temperature and higher precipitation than would otherwise be expected for a region in the heart of a continent.
In summer, this imposing body of water has a cooling effect on neighbouring cities. However, in the south of the province, such as in Windsor, Ontario, or Toronto, Ontario, heat waves lasting up to a week, with temperatures higher than 30 °C, are not uncommon.
In the fall, the release of heat stored in the lakes has a moderating effect. Comfortable, sunny days and cool, bracing nights make this season a favourite time of year.
Winter is characterized by alternating currents of cold arctic air and relatively warm air masses from the Gulf of Mexico. A city such as Sudbury, Ontario, at the north of the Great Lakes, is obviously more subject to arctic air currents and consequently has a more severe winter.
- Note: Hastings is nearly directly between Toronto and Ottawa.
(Adapted from VIA Rail Canada Weather and Climate for Ontario)
A View of Hastings
