Keswick, Ontario
Encyclopedia
Keswick is a community in the south central portion of the Canadian province of Ontario
. Located north of Toronto
on Cook's Bay
(part of Lake Simcoe
), Keswick is part of the Town of Georgina
. Unlike Keswick
in England
, where the w is silent, it is locally pronounced as "Kez-wick".
.
The area was formerly considered part of "cottage country" for those who lived in Toronto
up until the late 1980s, when major development further opened up access to Keswick, expanding its population.
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. Located north of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
on Cook's Bay
Cook's Bay
Cook's Bay is the southernmost bay of Lake Simcoe in Ontario, Canada. It is about 60 kilometres north of Toronto. The bay has some of the best fishing areas in North America, especially for yellow perch. The town of Keswick is the largest area that the bay has access to. Many marinas and motel...
(part of Lake Simcoe
Lake Simcoe
Lake Simcoe is a lake in Southern Ontario, Canada, the fourth-largest lake wholly in the province, after Lake Nipigon, Lac Seul, and Lake Nipissing. At the time of the first European contact in the 17th century the lake was called Ouentironk by the Huron natives...
), Keswick is part of the Town of Georgina
Georgina, Ontario
Georgina is a town in south-central Ontario, and the northernmost municipality in the Regional Municipality of York. It forms part of the northern boundary of the Greater Toronto Area and is situated on the southern shores of Lake Simcoe...
. Unlike Keswick
Keswick, Cumbria
Keswick is a market town and civil parish within the Borough of Allerdale in Cumbria, England. It had a population of 4,984, according to the 2001 census, and is situated just north of Derwent Water, and a short distance from Bassenthwaite Lake, both in the Lake District National Park...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, where the w is silent, it is locally pronounced as "Kez-wick".
History
Keswick was originally known as Medina and was part of the Township of North Gwillimbury before becoming part of the Township of Georgina. Included in Keswick is the Keswick Marsh, part of the Holland MarshHolland Marsh
The Holland Marsh is a wetland and agricultural area north of Toronto, Ontario. It lies entirely within the valley of the Holland River, stretching from the northern edge of the Oak Ridges Moraine near Schomberg to the river mouth at Cook's Bay, Lake Simcoe. In its entirety it comprises about or...
.
The area was formerly considered part of "cottage country" for those who lived in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
up until the late 1980s, when major development further opened up access to Keswick, expanding its population.
Recreation
The town has become a popular destination in Ontario for sunny days spent on the beach, boating, ice fishing, and snowmobiling. Keswick also houses the Georgina Ice Palace where the Georgina Blaze hockey team, Georgina Girls Hockey Association and Georgina Skating Club resides for public access. The Stephen Leacock Theatre also is a place to watch and perform in performances varying from musicals and plays to orchestras and band performances.Economy
The town boasts a number of shopping areas and attractions along the lake-shore and nearby agricultural areas.Attractions
- GeorginaGeorgina, OntarioGeorgina is a town in south-central Ontario, and the northernmost municipality in the Regional Municipality of York. It forms part of the northern boundary of the Greater Toronto Area and is situated on the southern shores of Lake Simcoe...
Ice Palace - sports arena - Public and private beaches
- Several Marinas and parks
- Keswick Marsh - part of the Holland Marsh
- Stephen LeacockStephen LeacockStephen Butler Leacock, FRSC was an English-born Canadian teacher, political scientist, writer, and humorist...
Theatre - Ice fishingIce fishingIce fishing is the practice of catching fish with lines and fish hooks or spears through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water. Ice anglers may sit on the stool in the open on a frozen lake, or in a heated cabin on the ice, some with bunks and amenities.-Locations:It is a popular pastime...
on Lake Simcoe and the Canadian Ice Fishing Championship - New Park in Keswick-On-The-Lake, the most populated neighborhood in all of Georgina.
Famous residents
- Canadian Wrestling Hall of Fame member Whipper Billy WatsonWhipper Billy WatsonWilliam John Potts, O.Ont was a Canadian professional wrestler best known by his ring name Whipper Billy Watson, and was a two-time world heavyweight wrestling champion.-Early life:...
was a life-long resident, and he spearheaded the campaign to build the Georgina Cultural Centre in the 1980s, which also houses the Stephen Leacock Theatre.
- Keswick is the birthplace (and for a while home) of former Toronto Maple LeafsToronto Maple LeafsThe Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
goaltender Curtis JosephCurtis JosephCurtis Shayne Joseph is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender. He last played for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the National Hockey League....
.
Clubs and associations
- Elm Hurst Beach Association - special events; concerts, corn roasts and the annual "See Billy Bob Go" competitions.
- Kinsmen Club of Keswick
- Music in the Streets - Local music festival celebrating talent from around Georgina. It is hosted by local music store, Connors Music and is located in the Uptown Keswick Business district.