Picton, Ontario
Encyclopedia
Picton is an unincorporated community located in Prince Edward County
in southern Central Ontario
, Canada
. It is the county seat
and largest community. Picton is located at the south-western end of Picton Bay, a branch of the Bay of Quinte
, which is along the northern shoreline of Lake Ontario
. The town is named for General Sir Thomas Picton, second in command to Wellington
at the Battle of Waterloo
.
It was formerly incorporated as a town
.
Prior to its incorporation in 1837, the modern-day town of Picton consisted of two separate villages—Hallowell Bridge and Picton—which occupied the opposite sides of Picton Bay.
In 1998, the town and all other municipalities in the county were dissolved and amalgamated into a single-tier municipality, the Corporation of the County of Prince Edward. Each of the former municipalities is now a ward of the county. Picton is Ward 1.
, the United Kingdom
was under siege and required training facilities outside the British Isles for the thousands of pilots needed for defence. Because of geographical similarities to Great Britain, sparsely populated Prince Edward County was considered an ideal location for an RAF
Bombing and Gunnery School. In the summer of 1940, an aerodrome was rapidly constructed and in November 1940 the RCAF moved in and began small arms training at the facility. In April 1941, the RAF took over the station and No 31 Bombing and Gunnery School was formed and used it to train many of the aircrew needed to help defend Great Britain as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
.
Following the end of the war, the Canadian Army maintained a training facility at the old aerodrome. It was renamed Camp Picton in 1960 when it became a fully operational Army base. In 1966, it was renamed Canadian Forces Base Picton
, but this was short-lived, 1969 the base was closed down and sold as part of the consolidation and downsizing of the Canadian military. Portions of the base have been divided up and have served many functions, including conversion of one of the newer barracks sections into a hospital (now defunct) and much of the old base housing is currently occupied as rental homes. The airfield is now known as Picton Airport.
The original aerodrome facilities were built using different construction methods than most bases built by the Canadian military. The rapid construction meant that the hangars and other buildings were not designed for longevity, although most still remain standing today. The former Camp Picton now serves many diverse functions but the unique appearance of the base makes it a significant, if obscure, historical landmark.
is a general aviation
airport used primarily for recreational flying. It is also used regularly in the summer season for Canadian Air Cadet flight training using Schweizer
SGS 2-33A glider sailplanes and Bellanca Scout 8GCBC aircraft.
Due to its distinctive appearance, the dilapidated airport has been used as a filming location for several productions. External scenes for the made-for-TV film Haven, starring Natasha Richardson
, Colm Feore
and Martin Landau
were filmed there. It also served as a backdrop for the 1993 CBC production Dieppe, and was the filming location of Bomber Boys and the 2005 reality-TV show Canada's Worst Driver
. Many businesses use the facilities, including a hammock outlet, an auction house, and (since the late 1970s) the local Air Cadet squadron, 851 RC(Air)CS, Prince Edward. The airstrip is also the host to various motorsports events, such as those held by the St. Lawrence Auto Club, which regularly runs Solo II racing events in the summer months.
Highway 33
, also known as the Loyalist Parkway, passes through the centre of Picton and serves as its main link to the larger Ontario highway system. It is the main artery from the Glenora Ferry terminal (approximately 10 km from Picton) in the east to Carrying Place and the Murray Canal (approximately 40 km from Picton) as you exit the county in the northwest. Proceeding north-northeast from Picton is County Highway 49 which eventually connects to Highway 401
between Napanee and Shannonville, after passing through a portion of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory
. Highway 33 also connects to Highway 62, which provides a link to the city of Belleville
, approximately 30 km to the northwest. The city of Kingston
, the eastern terminus of Highway 33, is located approximately 60 km by road east of Picton if you use the year-round Glenora ferry
to exit the county travelling east.
At one time, Prince Edward County was extensively served by a rail system. However, the railway no longer exists. The former rail beds have been converted into recreational trails which wind around the outskirts of Picton and throughout the county and are used for various purposes year-round.
Picton has extensive small-craft docking facilities and boat launch ramps. There are no facilities for heavy shipping at the tip of the bay, so large commercial vessels are generally not seen in the portion of Picton Bay near the town. However, east of town on the northern shore of the bay there is a concrete plant with industrial docking facilities.
, a Government of Ontario Crown corporation.
.
Historic downtown Picton offers a bustling downtown with a wide array of shops and services to tempt even the most discriminating shopper.
Featuring fine dining, fashion, gifts, antiques and so much more. Picton has long been known for its heritage, its charm, its architecturally-significant old buildings, and its friendly small-town atmosphere.
Named for General Sir Thomas Picton, Wellington's second-in-command at the Battle of Waterloo, the Town of Picton has a profound and rich history. It was here that Sir John A. MacDonald managed a law office for his uncle, Lowther P. MacPherson. Picton is also home to a thriving arts community which brings visitors from all over the world to experience its natural beauty.
Of course, no description of Picton is complete without mention of the historic Crystal Palace, (circa 1890) and is one of the last remaining replicas of the original Crystal Palace, UK.
The Picton BIA represents the voice of business which include the owners and tenants of more than 200 commercial properties in the Town. Their members contribute to building community by creating jobs and supporting numerous charitable activities in the region, including the Picton Santa Claus Parade, a throwback to parades of years gone by.
Picton continues to serve as the economic hub of Prince Edward County.
s, caskets and other wood products. There is a light industrial park in the town which has several modest manufacturing businesses making goods such as refrigeration products and filtered bottled water. Just northeast of Picton is a cement
plant
operated by ESSROC Italcementi, which is the only heavy industry in the immediate area. There are numerous quarrying operations located nearby which support this and other similar plants.
In recent years, many artisans and artists have moved to the area and opened studios. In many of the local stores you can purchase local art and hand-crafted products. These products are beginning to play a more serious role in the local economy.
In addition, there has been a proliferation of small wineries in the southern half of the county. Properties listed for sale, especially defunct farms with the right kind of exposure, are often described as ideal locations for new wineries allowing a markup of their property values. Now with an official VQA designation, what role the area will play in the larger Ontario wine industry in the near future remains to be seen.
Picton is also home to Canada's largest premier kayak manufacturer, ClearWater Design.
The Academy Award-winning film, The English Patient, has a character from Picton.
Prince Edward County, Ontario
Prince Edward County is a single-tier municipality and a census division of the Canadian province of Ontario.-Geography:Prince Edward County is located in Southern Ontario on a large irregular headland or littoral at the eastern end of Lake Ontario, just west of the head of the St. Lawrence River...
in southern Central 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...
. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
and largest community. Picton is located at the south-western end of Picton Bay, a branch of the Bay of Quinte
Bay of Quinte
The Bay of Quinte is a long, narrow bay shaped like the letter "Z" on the northern shore of Lake Ontario in the province of Ontario, Canada. It is just west of the head of the Saint Lawrence River that drains the Great Lakes into the Gulf of Saint Lawrence...
, which is along the northern shoreline of Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south by the American state of New York. Ontario, Canada's most populous province, was named for the lake. In the Wyandot language, ontarío means...
. The town is named for General Sir Thomas Picton, second in command to Wellington
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington
Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, KG, GCB, GCH, PC, FRS , was an Irish-born British soldier and statesman, and one of the leading military and political figures of the 19th century...
at the Battle of Waterloo
Battle of Waterloo
The Battle of Waterloo was fought on Sunday 18 June 1815 near Waterloo in present-day Belgium, then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands...
.
It was formerly incorporated as 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...
.
History
| Census | Population |
|---|---|
| 1841 | 1,200 |
| 1871 | 2,361 |
| 1901 | 3,698 |
| 1911 | 3,564 |
| 1921 | 3,356 |
| 1931 | 3,580 |
| 1941 | 3,901 |
| 1951 | 4,287 |
| 1961 | 4,862 |
| 1971 | 4,875 |
| 1981 | 4,361 |
| 1991 | 4,386 |
| 2001 | 4,563 |
| 2006 | 4,375 |
Prior to its incorporation in 1837, the modern-day town of Picton consisted of two separate villages—Hallowell Bridge and Picton—which occupied the opposite sides of Picton Bay.
In 1998, the town and all other municipalities in the county were dissolved and amalgamated into a single-tier municipality, the Corporation of the County of Prince Edward. Each of the former municipalities is now a ward of the county. Picton is Ward 1.
Airfield
During the Second World WarWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
was under siege and required training facilities outside the British Isles for the thousands of pilots needed for defence. Because of geographical similarities to Great Britain, sparsely populated Prince Edward County was considered an ideal location for an RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
Bombing and Gunnery School. In the summer of 1940, an aerodrome was rapidly constructed and in November 1940 the RCAF moved in and began small arms training at the facility. In April 1941, the RAF took over the station and No 31 Bombing and Gunnery School was formed and used it to train many of the aircrew needed to help defend Great Britain as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan , known in some countries as the Empire Air Training Scheme , was a massive, joint military aircrew training program created by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, during the Second World War...
.
Following the end of the war, the Canadian Army maintained a training facility at the old aerodrome. It was renamed Camp Picton in 1960 when it became a fully operational Army base. In 1966, it was renamed Canadian Forces Base Picton
CFB Picton
Canadian Forces Base Picton was a military installation located in Picton, Ontario. The base was active from the Second World War to 1969 and served the Royal Air Force, Royal Canadian Air Force and Canadian Army. Today the site functions as the Picton Airport.-Second World War:The base at Picton...
, but this was short-lived, 1969 the base was closed down and sold as part of the consolidation and downsizing of the Canadian military. Portions of the base have been divided up and have served many functions, including conversion of one of the newer barracks sections into a hospital (now defunct) and much of the old base housing is currently occupied as rental homes. The airfield is now known as Picton Airport.
The original aerodrome facilities were built using different construction methods than most bases built by the Canadian military. The rapid construction meant that the hangars and other buildings were not designed for longevity, although most still remain standing today. The former Camp Picton now serves many diverse functions but the unique appearance of the base makes it a significant, if obscure, historical landmark.
Transportation
Picton AirportPicton Airport
Picton Airport is located on the southeast side of Picton, Ontario, Canada, near the Bay of Quinte on Lake Ontario. The airport is used for general aviation, including glider flying.-History:During World War II, the airport hosted the No...
is a general aviation
General aviation
General aviation is one of the two categories of civil aviation. It refers to all flights other than military and scheduled airline and regular cargo flights, both private and commercial. General aviation flights range from gliders and powered parachutes to large, non-scheduled cargo jet flights...
airport used primarily for recreational flying. It is also used regularly in the summer season for Canadian Air Cadet flight training using Schweizer
Schweizer
Schweizer may refer to:* Swiss * Schweizer Aircraft Corporation, primarily known as a producer of sailplanes and helicopters, owned by Sikorsky Aircraft since 2004...
SGS 2-33A glider sailplanes and Bellanca Scout 8GCBC aircraft.
Due to its distinctive appearance, the dilapidated airport has been used as a filming location for several productions. External scenes for the made-for-TV film Haven, starring Natasha Richardson
Natasha Richardson
Natasha Jane Richardson was an English actress of stage and screen. A member of the Redgrave family, she was the daughter of actress Vanessa Redgrave and director/producer Tony Richardson and the granddaughter of Michael Redgrave and Rachel Kempson...
, Colm Feore
Colm Feore
Colm Feore is an American-born Canadian stage, film and television actor.-Early life:Feore was born in Boston, Massachusetts to Irish parents who lived in Ireland for several years during Feore's early life. The family subsequently moved to Windsor, Ontario, where Feore grew up.After graduating...
and Martin Landau
Martin Landau
Martin Landau is an American film and television actor. Landau began his career in the 1950s. His early films include a supporting role in Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest . He played continuing roles in the television series Mission: Impossible and Space:1999...
were filmed there. It also served as a backdrop for the 1993 CBC production Dieppe, and was the filming location of Bomber Boys and the 2005 reality-TV show Canada's Worst Driver
Canada's Worst Driver
Canada's Worst Driver , is a reality television series first aired on Discovery Channel Canada, based on the UK Channel 4 Television Corporation's Britain's Worst Driver...
. Many businesses use the facilities, including a hammock outlet, an auction house, and (since the late 1970s) the local Air Cadet squadron, 851 RC(Air)CS, Prince Edward. The airstrip is also the host to various motorsports events, such as those held by the St. Lawrence Auto Club, which regularly runs Solo II racing events in the summer months.
Highway 33
Highway 33 (Ontario)
King's Highway 33, commonly referred to as Highway 33, is a provincially maintained highway in the Canadian province of Ontario. The route begins at Highway 62 in Bloomfield and travels east to the Collins Bay Road junction at Collins Bay in the city of Kingston, a distance of...
, also known as the Loyalist Parkway, passes through the centre of Picton and serves as its main link to the larger Ontario highway system. It is the main artery from the Glenora Ferry terminal (approximately 10 km from Picton) in the east to Carrying Place and the Murray Canal (approximately 40 km from Picton) as you exit the county in the northwest. Proceeding north-northeast from Picton is County Highway 49 which eventually connects to Highway 401
Highway 401 (Ontario)
King's Highway 401, also known by its official name as the Macdonald–Cartier Freeway and colloquially as the four-oh-one, is a 400-Series Highway in the Canadian province of Ontario stretching from Windsor to the Quebec border...
between Napanee and Shannonville, after passing through a portion of Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, Ontario
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory is an 73 km² Mohawk First Nations reserve on the Bay of Quinte in southeastern Ontario, Canada, east of Belleville and immediately to the west of Deseronto...
. Highway 33 also connects to Highway 62, which provides a link to the city of Belleville
Belleville, Ontario
Belleville is a city located at the mouth of the Moira River on the Bay of Quinte in Southern Ontario, Canada, in the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor. It is the seat of Hastings County, but is politically independent of it. and the centre of the Bay of Quinte Region...
, approximately 30 km to the northwest. The city of Kingston
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
, the eastern terminus of Highway 33, is located approximately 60 km by road east of Picton if you use the year-round Glenora ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
to exit the county travelling east.
At one time, Prince Edward County was extensively served by a rail system. However, the railway no longer exists. The former rail beds have been converted into recreational trails which wind around the outskirts of Picton and throughout the county and are used for various purposes year-round.
Picton has extensive small-craft docking facilities and boat launch ramps. There are no facilities for heavy shipping at the tip of the bay, so large commercial vessels are generally not seen in the portion of Picton Bay near the town. However, east of town on the northern shore of the bay there is a concrete plant with industrial docking facilities.
Utilities
In the past, electrical services had been managed by the local utilities commission. In recent years, this was eliminated and electrical power is now managed by the central Hydro ONEHydro One
Hydro One Incorporated delivers electricity across the Canadian province of Ontario. It is a Corporation established under the Business Corporations Act with a single shareholder, the Government of Ontario....
, a Government of Ontario Crown corporation.
.
Tourism
Picton is also located in one of Ontario's most beautiful areas of forests, lodging, camping, wine making and vacation spots. Its vast acres of farm, cottage country, markets, and historical sittings make it an absolute summer hotspot for families and tourists. Its wide variety of lake-side cottages for rent and fishing hot spots make it a dream weaver of family memories. The tourism industry is a primary source of revenue for many area residents, especially in the summer.Historic downtown Picton offers a bustling downtown with a wide array of shops and services to tempt even the most discriminating shopper.
Featuring fine dining, fashion, gifts, antiques and so much more. Picton has long been known for its heritage, its charm, its architecturally-significant old buildings, and its friendly small-town atmosphere.
Named for General Sir Thomas Picton, Wellington's second-in-command at the Battle of Waterloo, the Town of Picton has a profound and rich history. It was here that Sir John A. MacDonald managed a law office for his uncle, Lowther P. MacPherson. Picton is also home to a thriving arts community which brings visitors from all over the world to experience its natural beauty.
Of course, no description of Picton is complete without mention of the historic Crystal Palace, (circa 1890) and is one of the last remaining replicas of the original Crystal Palace, UK.
The Picton BIA represents the voice of business which include the owners and tenants of more than 200 commercial properties in the Town. Their members contribute to building community by creating jobs and supporting numerous charitable activities in the region, including the Picton Santa Claus Parade, a throwback to parades of years gone by.
Picton continues to serve as the economic hub of Prince Edward County.
Other industry
Prince Edward County is a largely agricultural area. As such dairying and meat, fruit and vegetable processing and storage are relatively common. Also in the vicinity are manufacturers of palletPallet
A pallet , sometimes called a skid, is a flat transport structure that supports goods in a stable fashion while being lifted by a forklift, pallet jack, front loader or other jacking device. A pallet is the structural foundation of a unit load which allows handling and storage efficiencies...
s, caskets and other wood products. There is a light industrial park in the town which has several modest manufacturing businesses making goods such as refrigeration products and filtered bottled water. Just northeast of Picton is a cement
Cement
In the most general sense of the word, a cement is a binder, a substance that sets and hardens independently, and can bind other materials together. The word "cement" traces to the Romans, who used the term opus caementicium to describe masonry resembling modern concrete that was made from crushed...
plant
Factory
A factory or manufacturing plant is an industrial building where laborers manufacture goods or supervise machines processing one product into another. Most modern factories have large warehouses or warehouse-like facilities that contain heavy equipment used for assembly line production...
operated by ESSROC Italcementi, which is the only heavy industry in the immediate area. There are numerous quarrying operations located nearby which support this and other similar plants.
In recent years, many artisans and artists have moved to the area and opened studios. In many of the local stores you can purchase local art and hand-crafted products. These products are beginning to play a more serious role in the local economy.
In addition, there has been a proliferation of small wineries in the southern half of the county. Properties listed for sale, especially defunct farms with the right kind of exposure, are often described as ideal locations for new wineries allowing a markup of their property values. Now with an official VQA designation, what role the area will play in the larger Ontario wine industry in the near future remains to be seen.
Picton is also home to Canada's largest premier kayak manufacturer, ClearWater Design.
The Academy Award-winning film, The English Patient, has a character from Picton.
Notable residents
- Devan Brooks Captan for Buffalo Airways, one of the stars on Ice Pilots NWT
- Reema AbdoReema AbdoReema Abdo is a former backstroke swimmer, who was born in the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen and competed for Canada at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. There the resident of Picton, Ontario won the bronze medal in the 4x100m Medley Relay, alongside Anne Ottenbrite,...
, who won a bronze medal at the 1984 Olympics1984 Summer OlympicsThe 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
in swimming. - Gord Downie lead singer for The Tragically HipThe Tragically HipThe Tragically Hip, often referred to simply as The Hip, is a Canadian rock band from Kingston, Ontario, consisting of Gordon Downie , Paul Langlois , Rob Baker , Gord Sinclair and Johnny Fay . Since their formation in 1983 they have released 12 studio albums, two live albums, and 46 singles...
- Cameron AnsellCameron AnsellCameron Ansell is a Canadian voice actor, best known for voicing Arthur in the television series of the same name, Cheng in Skyland, and Prince Lumen in Spider Riders. He is currently voicing Franklin....
voice actor - Lyle VancliefLyle VancliefLyle Vanclief, PC was Canada's Minister of Agriculture from 1997-2003.Born in Ameliasburg, Ontario, he was first elected to the Canadian House of Commons as a Liberal Member of Parliament representing the rural Ontario riding of Prince Edward—Hastings in 1988...
Federal Minister of Agriculture, 1997-2003