Campbellford, Ontario
History
Campbellford traces its history back to 1834 when the first homesteaders arrived in the area. Once very wealthy, it is still known today for its many fine Victorian homes. Campbellford became a town in 1906 (Trent Hills Visitor Guide, 2009, p. 13). About 70 years earlier, "the British government gave two brothers, Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Campbell and Major David Campbell, 1800 acres of land to settle in an area named for the Duke of Northumberland's wife Lady Elizabeth Seymour" (Trent Hills Visitors Guide, 2009, p. 13). The Trent River (long before it became a canal) meandered through the Campbell property and, not far from the current town centre, the river was shallow enough for crossing. The river crossing came to be known as "Campbell's Ford." In 1876 the Village of Campbellford was created and then became a town in 1906. Its centennial was celebrated in 2006. In 2001, Campbellford, Hastings and Warkworth amalgamated to form the Municipality of Trent Hills.
Local information
Campbellford Memorial Hospital is the largest employer in the community, and the only hospital located between Belleville and Peterborough. It is a teaching practice affiliated with the University of Toronto Faculty of Medicine.
In the summer, Campbellford's population swells with tourists taking advantage of the local lakes and waterways, trails, and camping areas. In the winter, snowmobiling is a popular attraction. Ferris Provincial Park is located on the Trent River a short distance south of Campbellford.
Campbellford is a stop on the Trent-Severn Waterway, an important inland water transportation network, and is situated between the Ranney Falls Flight Lock (Locks 11 and 12) and the Campbellford Lock (13) of this system.
Campbellford is home to the radio station CKOL-FM.
The town has a 27 ft (8.2 m) high statue of a toonie, which was designed by local artist Brent Townsend.
Notable residents
- Escott Reid (1905–1999), Canadian diplomat and Order of Canada recipient
- W. F. Taylor (1877–1945), founding president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association
Gallery
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The Trent River passing through Campbellford, Ontario.
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Campbellford Town Office
References
- ^ "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population". Statistics Canada. Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 26 September 2022.
- ^ "Campbellford Memorial Hospital Celebrates Resident Doctors Appreciation Week". Campbellford Memorial Hospital. Campbellford Memorial Hospital. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ "Ferris Provincial Park". Ontario Parks. Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ Angus, James T. A Respectable Ditch: A History of the Trent-Severn Waterway 1833–1920. McGill-Queens University Press, Montreal and Kingston, 1988.
- ^ "Taylor, Dr. William". Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame. 1992. Retrieved July 11, 2020.