Belle River, Ontario
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Belle River is a community in Essex County, Ontario on the south shore of Lake St. Clair within the town of Lakeshore. Population of Belle River, according to the 2001 census, is 4,887. The population is up 7.9% from 1996 and the population occupies an area of 3.56 km² for a density of 1 372.8 people per km².
In January of 1999 the municipalities of Maidstone, Belle River, Rochester, Tilbury North and Tilbury West amalgamated into Lakeshore, the largest municipality (by land mass) within the County of Essex.
The ornithologist Roger Tory Peterson considers the area among the world's best locales for bird watching. Although born in Windsor, Ontario, NHL hockey player Tie Domi grew up in Belle River, played hockey for the Belle River Canadians Jr. C club and has now become a public figure in the town.
[edit] History
The settlement of this area began after a survey in 1793. As a regional shipping point in the 1850s, Belle River enjoyed a certain amount of prosperity. Throughout most of the 19th century, milling was the major industry in this small community founded by French settlers from the Detroit River area. A very popular jet skiing and a boating town on the south shore of Lake St. Clair. Many of the water front homes are American-owned cottages for summer vacation.
[edit] Trivia
Belle River is known as the muskie capital of Canada; however, other communities also make this claim.
Brian Diesbourg of Belle River became famous in 2005 for winning $1,000,000 by kicking a 50-yard field goal, which took place in a half-time promotion during a nationally-televised Canadian Football League game. He missed attempts at 20, 30 and 40 yards before succeeding on the 50-yard attempt.
[edit] External links
- Belle River Watercraft Racing Team
- Belle River Nation
- Lakeshore, Ontario
- Map of Belle River, ON from MapQuest
- Belle river Yacht Club
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