INTRODUCTION

On May 19, 2003, this motorcycle rider decided to take a weekend trip to Peterborough, Ontario. I was taken by the cleanliness and beauty of the city. Peterboro.info is a web site designed to portray this beauty, provide a little history, links and a few services that might not otherwise be available. City and Tourism links are available from the left menu under City of Peterborough. Classifieds and genealogy bulletin boards, screensavers and photos, virtual tours are also available free of charge. Some links may not be accessible at this time. Please bookmark the site and return.

THEN AND NOW

"In 1825 2000 Irish immigrants transported from Cork to Peterborough by Peter Robinson. "Scott's Plains" renamed Peterborough in honour of Peter Robinson. Peterborough was incorporated as a Town by an Act of the Legislature of the Province of Canada in the year 1850 and was raised to the status of a City by an Act of the Legislature of the Province of Ontario in 1905." Peterborough Centennial Museum

Today the City of Peterborough has a population of over 74,000. Peterborough is located in Southeast Ontario, about 150 kilometres northeast of Toronto. It is at the falls of the Otonabee River, which connects, through the Trent Canal, with lakes Ontario and Huron. Settled early in the 19th century as a lumber town, it is a railroad and industrial center and is headquarters of the Canadian General Electric Company. Peterborough is also a tourist centre for the Kawartha Lakes region. The lift-locks on the Trent-Severn waterway are the world's highest.

EDUCATION

Trent University and Fleming College are located in Peterborough Ontario.

ATTRACTIONS

TRENT-SEVERN WATERWAY (View 180 Tour)

The Trent-Severn Waterway is 386km long and includes 36 conventional locks, two flight locks, two hydraulic lift locks and a marine railway. It runs through Central Ontario stretching from the Bay of Quinte to Georgian Bay. The Waterway is open from mid May to mid October. Despite its popularity, the Trent-Severn system remains mostly unspoiled. A national historic site, it is safeguarded and administered by administered by Parks Canada. It is also promoted by the Friends of the Trent-Severn Waterway organization.

PARKS (View 360 Tour)

Peterborough parks put the city in a league of its own. The parks along both sides of the Otanabee River are continuous with beauty around every bend in the road. I traveled along Armour Road stopping every few hundred feet in amazement. On my last day I traveled the opposite side of the River only to be tempted by the Riverview Park and Zoo. Although some of the park is still under construction, it is a must visit.

Kudos to the Rotary Club of Peterborough and the City of Peterborough for the development of the Greenway Trail and Otonabee River Trail. I walked the River Trail through town and was disappointed that I did not have my mountain bike with me. Next time Peterborough! Yes there will be a next time guaranteed! Peterborough has been voted one of the prettiest and cleanest towns in the province of Ontario by 5Fish.

PETERBOROUGH LIFT LOCK (View 180 Tour)

This historic site provides boaters with the thrill of riding the highest (19.8m) hydraulic lift lock in the world.

CANOE BUILDING AND PETERBOROUGH

"The canoe building industry of the Peterborough area developed slowly beginning in the late 1850's and early 1860's when small canoe building operations opened in Peterborough, Lakefield and Gore's Landing. There was sustained growth during the 1870's and then the industry expanded considerably in the 1880's and on into the 1890's. The building of canoes continued to be one of the major industries in the Peterborough area right into the 1960's." Peterborough Centennial Museum

Visit the Canadian Canoe Museum online.

HISTORY

"The second wave of emigration was launched in 1825. This time over 1800 people made a journey similar to the first one. This time however, the final destination was Peterborough, in the Newcastle District (now south central Ontario). Nine ships carried the passengers on this trip. Before Robinson started the voyage he traveled to the Peterborough area himself to explore conditions, establish a safe travel route and inspect land.

Peterborough at this time was a remote and rugged place with a small population. The area was transformed with the sudden influx of 2000 men, women and children in 1825!

As in 1823, thousands applied for the voyage leaving from Cork. (See image below PCMA exhibit gallery depicting 'sleeping quarters' aboard ship). Prospective settlers had to secure "letters of recommendation" outlining their qualities and usefulness as settlers. Those selected received "embarkation certificates" allowing them to board a particular ship.

Again, the ships arrived at Quebec (June 1825). Settlers were loaded onto steamships for a trip down the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario to Cobourg. After a rough land trip to Rice Lake, the settlers made the final leg of their journey to Peterborough by barge up the Otonabee River (a 24 mile river trip).

At Peterborough, families were issued free provisions, tools, livestock and farm land. Families with proud names like: Ryan, Sullivan, Casey, Fitzpatrick, McCarthy, Hannan, Leahy, O'Brien, Foley, and Shanahan settled throughout Peterborough county and thousands of their descendants remain in the area even to this day.

Life was hard for these people. Several died in the years immediately following the emigration. Some families were given poor farm land and had to relocate and of course, the unforgiving Canadian winters were a challenge." Peterborough Centennial Museum

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