Throughout the 710.25 square kilometres of the Township of Rideau Lakes are 21 communities whose anchors are deeply set inthe bedrock of early Ontario history. The10,000 people that live in our township thrive on the lands, by the lakes, and by the locks.Six locks admit the passage of people throughthe township to more than 21 lakes. This section of the Rideau Waterway whosehonours include, a “National Historic Site ofCanada”, a "Canadian Heritage River", and a“UNESCO World Heritage Site”, is arguablyone of the most beautiful in the whole system.Our Mayor Ron Holman, and his nine councilmembers protect our past, provide for ourpresent, and plan for our future. Theycontribute to making this township a privilegeto live in.

A Fall Tribute toThe Township of

Rideau Lakesby Maggie Fleming Copyright 2013

Jones Falls was first called Long Falls and was later named Jones Falls after Charles Jones of Brockville who owned the land through which water coursed its way. Prior to the construction of Jones Falls, Sand Lake drained through a series of rapids and shallows, over a distance of 1,676 metres. A drop of 18 metres connected Sand Lake to the pre-canal mill dams at Morton and the foot of Cranberry Lake.The first lockmaster at Jones Falls was Peter Sweeney.

Section One: The Six Locks

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Jones Falls Dam

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Jones Falls: Blacksmith Shop

Jones Falls: view from Blockhouse

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To  Davis  Lock

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John Purcell was the first lockmaster at Davis Lock. Once Davis Mills, Walter Davis Jr.,son of a United Empire loyalist, built a saw mill in 1818 or 1820 at the rapids betweenOpinicon and Sand Lakes. The mill and his home were torn down to build the lock.Because stone would have to be hauled 10 kilometers from Elgin Ontario, a rubblestone dam was constructed consisting of 2 rough stone walls, about 0.9 metres apart,clay puddle rammed between them made the dam watertight. Earth and stone from thelock excavation was then dumped on top. Davis Lock was also known as Foster’s Lockafter Alfred Foster who served there from 1871 to 1897. The lift at Davis Lock is 2.7metres.

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Davis Lock: Lockhouse

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To Chaffey’s  Lock

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The rapids between Indian and Opinicon Lakes were 304 metres long and descended about 4 metres. There was a portage located on the west side of the rapids. The locale boasted of a grist and carding mill on one bank of the river, and a sawmill and distillery on the other. Constructed by Samuel Chaffey between 1820 and 1826, Chaffey controlled the water levels of Indian, Clear and Mud (Newboro) Lakes by his mill dam upstream from his mills. The first lockmaster there was William Fleming, retired from the 7th regiment of the Royal Sappers and Miners.

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Chaffey's Lock Waterway

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Chaffey's Lock Mill

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Chaffey's Lock Structures

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Chaffey's Lock: Celtic Cross

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Chaffey's Lock Cemetery

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To Newboro  Lock

Lock 37 known as the Isthmus, separated the Rideau and Gananoque watersheds. On the north, water ran down the Rideau Lakes and River to Ottawa. On the south, water flowed through lakes and rapids to White Fish Creek, thence to the Gananoque River. In 1831 a canal water control weir constructed at Morton, switched the flow from the Gananoque River to the Cataraqui River. Rideau Lake was about 1.5 metres higher than Mud Lake.

The first lockmaster at Newboro was Daniel McDonald, a retired corporal from the 7th company of the Royal Sappers and Miners.

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ToThe  Narrows  Lock

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Once the Upper Rideau and the Big Rideau were one lake which spanned from Westport to Poonamalie. Colonel John By planned to build a dam across the Upper Narrows with a lift of 1.47metres. The dam would divide the waters into Upper and Big Rideau Lakes. The height of the lift was changed to the .8 metres that it is today due to the elevation of the weir at Poonamalie in 1971. There was insufficient navigational depth in the Rideau River which prompted this change. A swing bridge connects the road leading to the Narrows with the one leading north to Perth.The first lockmaster was Archibald Sands, retired from the 15th regiment of the Royal Sappers and Miners.

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To  Poonamalie

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Poonamalie, known once as “First Rapids”, is an enchanting lock sequestered amongst cedars in solitude from noisy traffic on Highway 15 to its immediate south. The lift at Poonamalie is 1.9 metres. Colonel By had a cut excavated between Rideau Lake to connect with the Rideau River. Here, on this cut, is Poonamalie.James Rutly was the first lockmaster at Poonamalie but was replaced in 1837 by Thomas Richey who stayed until his transfer in 1844.

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Section Two: The Five WardsFrom the high lands of North Crosby, to the lower lands of South Crosby, Newboro, Bastard and South Burgess and South Elmsley wards, the beauty of the land, the life, and the architecture, found in this township are nothing less than stunning. In this section I have tried to capture some of the essence of the township wards however I apologise if I have unwittingly neglected to include a favourite haunt or much loved dwelling.

North  Crosby  Ward

Between 1795 and 1806 a survey was conducted of Crosby Township. Subsequently the Township was divided into North and South Crosby Townships, thought to be named after Brass Crosby, at one time the Lord Mayor of London, and a Member of the British Parliament. The rugged beauty of Foley mountain now belies the struggle of early settlers, however stone fences show the harsh reality that faced people as they pried a living from the land. There was some good farmland in North Crosby but enjoyed by only a few.

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Newboro  Ward

Building the Rideau Canal gave birth to the village of Newboro. Known as “Isthmus”, Newboro lies between the Rideau Watershed and the Gananoque and Cataraqui Rivers. The canal connecting the Upper Rideau to Newboro Lock also connected people in grief: Eighty-four people died of malaria in Newboro and approximately half of the twenty two men who died of injury while building the canal died here. Newboro at one time, straddled both North and South Crosby which caused such administrative nightmares that Dr. R.H. Preston M.P.P. had, by special act of parliament , a bill passed February 10th,1876, which incorporated the village of slightly over three hundred people. The beautiful homes and parks in Newboro Ward speak to her colourful past and the charm of her present.

The Old Presbyterian Cemetery, once the Military and Civilian Cemetery

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St. Mary's Anglican Church

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South Crosby lays claim to four of the six locks in the Township of Rideau Lakes. As a result, tourist industries flourishin this ward. The first three concessions South Crosby Ward had fertile soil and these were settled early. Walter Davissettled on the second concession in 1800 and was its first landowner. The other concessions lay on the Frontenac axiswhich yielded little.

South  Crosby  Ward

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Bastard and South Burgess ward is the central ward of our township and houses our township office. Though the reason for the name Bastard is unclear, it is thought that Lt. Governor John Graves Simcoe named the township after an old and prominent family (the Bastards - pronounced Bah stahrd) in Devonshire, England, where the Simcoe’s had their estate. Bastard was surveyed in 1826 and was settled by a number of families from Vermont, the first of whom was Abel Stevens. South Burgess is

The land is mixed in this ward, some very good and some rocky and swampy. Just as in other wards farmers who had good land prospered.

Bastard and South  Burgess  Ward

like a tiny jewel in the township of the Rideau Lakes. To the north the indisputably magnificent Big Rideau Lake. Upper and Lower Beverly Lakes bring tourists from afar.

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The Old Stone Mill, Delta

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Harmony Masonic Lodge - Philipsville

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Denny Cemetery - County Rd 8

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The township of Elmsley was named after John Elmsley, Chief Justice of Upper Canada from 1796 to 1802 and Chief Justice of Lower Canada from 1802 until his death in 1805. Once, it contained both North and South Elmsley. South Elmsley was incoroporated as a township in 1851.

South  Elmsley  Ward

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The Lombardy Agricultural Society Fairgrounds - since 1816

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“Dedicated to my grandsons, Benjamin and Caleb, who are the beautiful sunrises of my days.”

Maggie Fleming