Midland, Ontario
Encyclopedia
| Census | Population |
|---|---|
| 1881 | 1,095 |
| 1891 | 2,088 |
| 1901 | 3,174 |
| 1911 | 4,663 |
| 1921 | 7,016 |
| 1931 | 6,920 |
| 1941 | 6,764 |
| 1951 | 7,206 |
| 1961 | 8,656 |
| 1971 | 10,992 |
| 1981 | 12,132 |
| 1991 | 13,865 |
| 2001 | 16,214 |
| 2006 | 16,300 |
Canada 2006 Census
The Canada 2006 Census was a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population. Census day was May 16, 2006. The next census following will be the 2011 Census. Canada's total population enumerated by the 2006 census was 31,612,897...
population 16,300) is a town
Town
A town is a human settlement larger than a village but smaller than a city. The size a settlement must be in order to be called a "town" varies considerably in different parts of the world, so that, for example, many American "small towns" seem to British people to be no more than villages, while...
located on Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay is a large bay of Lake Huron, located entirely within Ontario, Canada...
in Simcoe County, Ontario
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....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Situated at the southern end of Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay is a large bay of Lake Huron, located entirely within Ontario, Canada...
's 30,000 Islands, Midland is the economic centre of the region, with a 125-bed hospital
Hospital
A hospital is a health care institution providing patient treatment by specialized staff and equipment. Hospitals often, but not always, provide for inpatient care or longer-term patient stays....
and a local airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
. It is the main town of the southern Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay is a large bay of Lake Huron, located entirely within Ontario, Canada...
area. In the summer months, the area's population grows to over 100,000 with seasonal visitors to more than 8,000 cottages, resort hotels, provincial and national parks in the surrounding municipalities of Penetanguishene, Tiny
Tiny, Ontario
Tiny is a township, part of Simcoe County in south-central Ontario, Canada. The Township of Tiny can be found in the Southern Georgian Bay region and is approximately long or...
and Tay
Tay, Ontario
Tay is a township in Central Ontario, Canada, located in the southern Georgian Bay region. Tay, like many other townships in the surrounding area such as Tiny Township was named after one of the several dogs owned by Sir Peregrine Maitland's wife....
.
History
The town of Midland was founded when, in 1871, the Midland Railway of CanadaMidland Railway of Canada
The Midland Railway of Canada was a historical Canadian railway which ran from Port Hope, Ontario to Midland on Georgian Bay.-Early days:This railway was originally conceived as a rail link between Port Hope and Peterborough and the company was originally named The Peterborough and Port Hope...
selected the sparsely populated community of Mundy's Bay as the new terminus of the Midland railway. At that time the Midland railway ran from Port Hope to Beaverton. The town site was surveyed in 1872-3 and the line to the town was completed by 1879. Settlers, attracted by the convenience of rail service, soon began to move into the area.
The company sold off lots in town (Midland City) to help finance the settlement. The village (incorporated in 1878) thrived based on Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay is a large bay of Lake Huron, located entirely within Ontario, Canada...
shipping and the lumber and grain trade. Incorporated into a town in 1890, a number of light industrial companies have established themselves in the area and tourism in the southern Georgian Bay area also contributes to the economy.
2010 tornado
On June 23, 2010, Midland was struck by an F2 tornado, causing $15 million in damage. The most significant damage was reported at Smith's Camp, a trailer park at the south end of the town, where several mobile homes were completely destroyed. At one point for the first time in 25 years, Emergency Management of Ontario upgraded Environment CanadaEnvironment Canada
Environment Canada , legally incorporated as the Department of the Environment under the Department of the Environment Act Environment Canada (EC) (French: Environnement Canada), legally incorporated as the Department of the Environment under the Department of the Environment Act Environment...
's Tornado warning
Tornado warning
A tornado warning is an alert issued by government weather services to warn that severe thunderstorms with tornadoes may be imminent. It can be issued after a tornado or funnel cloud has been spotted by eye, or more commonly if there are radar indications of tornado formation...
to an extreme severe weather warning called "Red Alert
Red Alert
-Warning systems:Notable warning systems that use red alerts are:* The Homeland Security Advisory System * The BIKINI state * An emergency broadcast bullentin used by the Emergency Management of Ontario, in Ontario, Canada-Music:...
" which was issued for most of Southern Ontario
Southern Ontario
Southern Ontario is a region of the province of Ontario, Canada that lies south of the French River and Algonquin Park. Depending on the inclusion of the Parry Sound and Muskoka districts, its surface area would cover between 14 to 15% of the province. It is the southernmost region of...
's cottage country due to the approaching severe weather and the possibilty of violent tornadoes, therefore asking residents in the area to seek shelter. In addition, a State of emergency
State of emergency
A state of emergency is a governmental declaration that may suspend some normal functions of the executive, legislative and judicial powers, alert citizens to change their normal behaviours, or order government agencies to implement emergency preparedness plans. It can also be used as a rationale...
was also declared in Midland. While electrical service was knocked out for a time, there were no fatalities caused by the storm.
Demographics
Midland had a population of 16,300 people in 2006, which was an increase of 0.5% from the 2001 census count. The median household income in 2005 for Midland was $45,256, which is below the Ontario provincial average of $60,455.Local attractions
In and around the centre of Midland there are a number of murals which were painted by now deceased artist Fred Lenz. The largest, depicting a meeting between a local native and French explorer Samuel de ChamplainSamuel de Champlain
Samuel de Champlain , "The Father of New France", was a French navigator, cartographer, draughtsman, soldier, explorer, geographer, ethnologist, diplomat, and chronicler. He founded New France and Quebec City on July 3, 1608....
, is on the silos overlooking the main harbour. This work was completed by Fred's son following Fred's passing.
Notable sites in or near Midland include the Jesuit mission of Sainte-Marie among the Hurons
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons
Sainte-Marie among the Hurons was a French Jesuit settlement in Wendake, the land of the Wendat, near modern Midland, Ontario, from 1639 to 1649. It was the first European settlement in what is now the province of Ontario. Eight missionaries from Sainte-Marie were martyred, and were canonized by...
, which is now a living museum
Living museum
A living museum is a type of museum, in which historical events showing the life in ancient times are performed, especially in ethnographic or historical views, or processes for producing a commercial product in terms of technical and technological developments are shown, especially the craft...
depicting missionary life in the 17th century, and the Martyrs' Shrine
Martyrs' Shrine
The Martyrs’ Shrine is a Roman Catholic church in Midland, Ontario, Canada, which is consecrated to the memory of the Canadian Martyrs, six Jesuit Martyrs and two lay persons from the mission of Sainte-Marie among the Hurons. It is one of nine National Shrines in Canada,including, among others, St...
, a Roman Catholic church commemorating the Canadian Martyrs
Canadian Martyrs
The North American Martyrs, also known as the Canadian Martyrs or the Martyrs of New France, were eight Jesuit missionaries from Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, who were martyred in the mid-17th century in Canada, in what are now southern Ontario and upstate New York, during the warfare between the...
, five missionaries from Sainte-Marie who were martyred during the Huron-Iroquois
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
wars, and the Huronia museum
Huronia Museum
The Huronia Museum is located in Midland, Ontario, Canada. The museum consists of the museum building and the Huron/Ouendat village . The museum is open year round and has nearly one million objects and receives some 20,000 visitors each year...
. Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
held a pastoral meeting at this site in September 1984.
The Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre is nearby. The marsh
Marsh
In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
provides habitat for Trumpeter Swan
Trumpeter Swan
The Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator, is the largest native North American bird, if measured in terms of weight and length, and is the largest living waterfowl species on earth. It is the North American counterpart of the European Whooper Swan.-Description:Males typically measure from and weigh...
s, Black Tern
Black Tern
The Black Tern, Chlidonias niger, is a small tern generally found in or near inland water in Europe and North America. As its name suggests, it has predominantly dark plumage.- Description :...
s and Least Bittern
Least Bittern
The Least Bittern is a small wading bird, the smallest heron found in the Americas.This bird's underparts and throat are white with light brown streaks. Their face and the sides of the neck are light brown; they have yellow eyes and a yellow bill. The adult male is glossy greenish black on the...
s. The trumpeter swan is considered a symbol of Midland and a large statue of one has been erected by the harbour.
Sports activities
Midland is the home of The Midland FlyersMidland Flyers
The Midland Flyers are a Canadian Junior ice hockey team based in Midland, Ontario. They play in the Georgian Mid-Ontario Junior C Hockey League.-History:...
Junior Ice Hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
Club of the Georgian Mid-Ontario Junior C Hockey League
Georgian Mid-Ontario Junior C Hockey League
The Georgian Mid Ontario Junior C Hockey League is a Junior "C" ice hockey league in Ontario, Canada, sanctioned by the Ontario Hockey Association...
.
Boating, both power and sail, is very popular with a number of marina
Marina
A marina is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats.A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships or cargo from freighters....
s and a sailing club based in the town. The town has easy access to the relatively sheltered waters of south eastern Georgian Bay. Among the marina
Marina
A marina is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats.A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships or cargo from freighters....
s nearby are Bay Port Yachting Centre on the northwest side of the bay, and Doral Marine Resort
Doral Marine Resort
Located in Midland, Ontario, and formerly known as Wye Heritage Marina, Doral Marine Resort claims that it is the largest freshwater Marina in Canada.- External links :* http://www.doralmarineresort.com/...
along the southeast shore. There is also good fishing.
Midland also has an ever growing and active cycling base. The Midland Tri Club has increased the number of road riders in the area. Many of these riders also participate in the popular weekly Time Trial series and group rides that run throughout the summer months. Mountain view Ski Center has also encouraged the growth of mountain bikers, with an extensive trail system in town. The Center hosts a variety of races, including a summer long weekly series, as well as a night race, high school event, and 9 hour relay. Also, an MTB club has been borne of the Center, and is expanding its breadth into competition and other pursuits.
In the winter, snowmobiling and ice fishing are popular activities. Mountain-view Ski Center has a modest elevation but usually a large base of all-natural snowfall and 6 runs and has 25 km of cross country ski trails.
Notable residents
- John W. BaldJohn W. BaldJohn Witherspoon Bald was a Canadian photographer who produced portraits, landscape and other commercial photographs. He recorded life in his community from 1890 until 1953 when he retired...
, Photographer - Sarah BurkeSarah BurkeSarah Burke is a Canadian freestyle skier who grew up in Midland, Ontario, Canada. She now resides in Whistler, British Columbia.-Skiing career:...
, Voted Top Female Freestyle Skier, 3X Winter X-games gold medalist - George ChuvaloGeorge ChuvaloGeorge Louis Chuvalo, CM is a retired Canadian heavyweight boxer who was never knocked down in ninety-three professional fights between 1956 and 1979. He is often considered to have had the greatest chin in the history of boxing and to be one of its most durable fighters...
, Heavyweight Boxer - Adam DixonAdam DixonAdam Dixon is a Canadian sledge hockey player.Dixon was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma in his right tibia in 1999 at the age of 10 and underwent a 10 hour surgery to remove the tumor and part of his tibia. After his the surgery Dixon was unable to play able-bodied hockey and was introduced to...
, Paralympian (Sledge Hockey) - Herbert Drury, Former NHL and Olympic Hockey player
- George DudleyGeorge DudleyGeorge Dudley was the president of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association from 1940 to 1942, the treasurer of the Ontario Hockey Association, and the first vice-president of the International Ice Hockey Federation. Born in Midland, Ontario, Dudley was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in...
, Treasurer of the Ontario Hockey Association, and the president of the International Ice Hockey Federation - Glenn HowardGlenn HowardGlenn Howard is a Canadian curler from Penetanguishene, Ontario. He has won three Briers and three world championships in his career. He has also won six straight Ontario provincials.-1980s-2006:...
, World champion curler - Russ HowardRuss HowardRussell W. "Russ" Howard, ONL is a Canadian curler and Olympic champion, based in Moncton, New Brunswick, but originally from Midland, Ontario. His home club in Moncton is Curling Beausejour...
, Olympic champion curler - James LaBrieJames LaBrieKevin James LaBrie is a Canadian vocalist who is best known as the lead singer of the American progressive metal band Dream Theater.-Early life:...
, Vocalist for the progressive-metal band Dream Theater - Alex McKendryAlex McKendryAlex McKendry is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 46 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the New York Islanders and Calgary Flames...
, Former NHL Hockey player - John MucklerJohn MucklerJohn Muckler is a professional hockey coach and executive, most recently serving as the general manager of the Ottawa Senators of the NHL. Muckler has over 50 years of professional hockey experience as a part owner, general manager, director of player personnel, director of hockey operations, head...
, NHL coach - David OnleyDavid OnleyDavid Charles Onley, OOnt is the 28th and current Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Canada.Onley was a television journalist prior to his viceregal appointment. He worked primarily for Citytv as a science and technology reporter, and for the 24-hour news station CablePulse 24 as a news anchor and...
, Former CITY-TVCITY-TVCITY-DT, Channel 57 , is a television station based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada owned and operated by Rogers Media...
reporter and current Lieutenant GovernorLieutenant governorA lieutenant governor or lieutenant-governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction, but is often the deputy or lieutenant to or ranking under a governor — a "second-in-command"...
of Ontario - Mike RobitailleMike RobitailleMichael James David Robitaille is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He played in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers, Detroit Red Wings, Buffalo Sabres and Vancouver Canucks...
, Former NHL Hockey player - Born RuffiansBorn RuffiansBorn Ruffians, formerly known as Mornington Drive, are a Canadian indie rock band formed in 2004, originally from Midland, Ontario, located near Georgian Bay. They are currently signed to Warp Records. The members are Luke Lalonde , Mitch Derosier and Steven Hamelin...
, Indie Rock Band - Susan SwanSusan SwanSusan Swan is a Canadian author. Born in Midland, Ontario, she studied at McGill University. Her list of works includes The Wives of Bath , and What Casanova Told Me . The Wives of Bath was made into the film Lost and Delirious in 2001, starring Piper Perabo, Jessica Paré, and Mischa Barton...
, Canadian Author - Richard B. WrightRichard B. WrightRichard B. Wright, CM, is a Canadian novelist.Born in Midland, Ontario, to Laverne and Laura . Wright graduated from Midland high school in 1956, and attended and graduated from Ryerson Polytechnic Institute in the area of Radio and TV arts in 1959...
, Novelist