Kearney, Ontario

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Kearney is a town in the Parry Sound District of Ontario, Canada.

At one time Kearney was a Hamlet in the township of Perry, from which the it separated in 1908, when it incorporated as a town. The original parcel of land included of 600 acres (2.4 km²). Through the 1970's Kearney claimed to be "The Smallest Town in Ontario." As of December 1, 1979 legislation was passed to amalgamate the town of Kearney, with the geographic townships of Proudfoot, Bethune and portions of Butt and McCraney. Now with a landmass of 230 square miles and a year round population slightly over 800, Kearney claims to be perhaps the "Biggest Little Town in Ontario," and maybe even Canada.

The main section of Kearney is located at 45"33'N, 77"13'W.

The Town of Kearney seen from the air (Sept,2006).	Kearney Police Patch.	Dog Sled Races on Main Street (Feb,2006).	Rememberance Day Ceremony (2005)
Mayor J Jeffrey Johnston and Town Council (2006)	Panoramic View of Kearney "Downtown" (2006)

1 History
2 Kearney Today
3 Events
4 External Links

[edit] History

Perry Township was opened to settlement in 1873, the lots were quickly taken up. The First two Post Offices in the township were established at Scotia and Emsdale, on the Muskoka Road. In the north-east corner of the township, settlers A. J. O'Neil and his partner William Kearney opened a store in 1879. It was located on the 12th Concession, near what is now Cherry Hill Road, (west of Beaver Lake). In the following year a post office was opened in the name of "Kearney." In those days the closest railway was the Northern at Gravenhurst from which all suppies were brought up the Muskoka Road.

With the arrival of the Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway in 1895, a siding was built at the foot of what was known as Long Lake (now Perry Lake). The commerce of the village shifted to the east side of the lake, near the railway station. At Kearney, logs could be loaded onto the train after only a few days drive. Before the railway, the logs were floated down the Magnetawan River, some as far as Byng Inlet.

Kearney became known as a great logging town with many sawmills and lumber camps. The logging still remains today.

[edit] Kearney Today

Kearney is the gateway to Algonquin Park wilderness with three access points - one at Tim Lake, one at Magnetawan Lake and most popular, at Rain Lake. In the early years, the train took visitors right into the park, with many side trips available from there. Today the roads run right back into the park's three access points. Kearney is well known as a tourist centre, not only because of its proximity to Algonquin Park, but for its great swimming, water sports, camping and fishing. Within the town boundaries, lakes such as Clam, Fisher, Beaver and Sand with their many cottages, resorts, and campgrounds are vacation destinations for many visitors. Bear, moose and deer hunting provides sport for hunters coming to the area.

The Kearney Community Centre, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2000, houses the municipal offices, library, and seniors room and banquet facilities. The Centre offers indoor activities during the weekdays such as card parties and special interest classes. Kearney also has a number of groups including the Royal Canadian Legion, the Lions Club, and various Church and other groups.

[edit] Events

Annual events include the Blackfly Festival, Creative Changes Art Show, Sand Lake Regatta, Kearney Regatta, Kearney Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, Christmas Fun Fair and Craft Sale, the Kearney Dog Sled Races, and Sand Lake Thanksgiving Sunday Turkey Shoot. Visits can be made to the restored pioneer log church at Sand Lake as well as many other points of interest along the way.

Kearney's history of logging also helped create the great trails for their dog sled races in the winter. Kearney is in line to become "the biggest dog sledding event in Ontario". The 2003 races marked the eighth annual event, which has grown in popularity with both spectators and racers since its inception in 1995. The mushers continue to be ecstatic about the condition and scenic routes of the trails used for four, six, and thirty mile races. In addition to the races, the weekend has a full roster of family events as well as an abundance of fresh snow for cross-country skiing, frozen lakes for ice fishing and year round accommodations.

The local postal code of Kearney is P0A 1M0. Kearney is located 27 miles north of Huntsville, Ontario..

Mayor: J. Jeffrey Johnston (November 2006 to present)