Merrickville, Ontario

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Merrickville (population 968^[1]) is a small community in Eastern Ontario, Canada, located in the village of Merrickville-Wolford in Leeds and Grenville United Counties. It spans both shores of the Rideau River. The Rideau Canal locks at Merrickville with three locks have a total lift of twenty five feet.

On the south side of the locks there is the old blockhouse, which has been restored by Parks Canada as a tourist site and museum operated by the Merrickville and District Historical Society.

In the last two decades, Merrickville has seen a boom in the local economy mostly related to increased tourism. It is famous for its local crafts people and artists.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Attractions
4 References
5 External links

[edit] History

William Merrick founded the village of Merrickville in 1794. Attracted to the site by waterpower, he constructed a dam across the river and then built grist, saw and carding mills. It was not long before a community sprang up around the milling activity. In 1821, Merrick built a stone house overlooking his mills.

When the construction crews arrived in 1827 to build the Rideau Canal, the village of Merrick's Mills, as it was then known, was a thriving little community of about 300. Unlike most of the pre-canal sites, Merrick's Mills was not destroyed by canal construction. After the canal was completed, the excess water once again turned the wheels of the mills and the improved transportation system caused a surge in commercial activity in the village. By 1851, Merrick's Mills was an impressive industrial centre.

Merrick's Mills continued to thrive into the mid-1860s. The end of the community's industrial growth is closely related to the decline of the commercial phase of the Rideau canal. The rise of the nearby town of Smiths Falls as a major railway hub displaced Merrick's Mills as an industrial leader in the region. Despite the decline, some industry continued in the community. In 1915 a power company was formed at Merrickville to provide electricity for the mills and a foundry, and the woolen mill continued to function until 1954.

[edit] Geography

Population: 968^[1]
Location:
- Latitude: around 44 (55°) N
- Longitude: around 75 (50°)
Postal codes: K0G 1N0
Dialing code: +1-613

[edit] Attractions

Merrickville was acknowledged as Canada's Most Beautiful Village by Communities in Bloom in 1998, as its charming streets are lined with heritage architecture, artists' studios, specialty boutiques and restaurants. There is a thriving artisan community with more than 30 artists in the area.

Merrickville is considered by many historians to be Canada's best preserved and restored 19th century village, with more than 100 historic and heritage properties. One of the oldest settlements along the Rideau canal, a major feature in the village is the set of three locks on the Rideau Canal. You will find these adjacent to the Blockhouse, built in 1832 to guard the locks against American attacks.

The Blockhouse, a National Historic Site of Canada, was built by Lt. Col. John By as part of a chain of four Blockhouses for the defense of the Rideau Canal. The Blockhouse Museum is open during peak summer season. Near the locks is the Industrial Heritage Complex Museum, the site of the original mills.

Merrickville artists include Michael Rowland, leather craftsman, Holly Dean, mixed media artist, Brenda Carter, wildlife artist, Laura Starkey, acrylic artist, glass-blower David Paterson, Martin Green, artist in various media, as well as Paul Matteau, woodturner, Pieter Doef, sculptor, Sue Boswell, potter, Claudette Hart - the 'she's outta her gourd' lady of Merrickville, and Kevin Gray Glassblowing, whose gallery is open every day for demonstrations.

The Merrickville Artists Guild Studio Tour, the last weekend of September and first weekend in October, is Eastern Ontario's original artists' tour, and features the work of over 30 artists each year. A complete list of this year's participants in the tour is at http://www.merrickvilleartists.com/index.html.

Gardening enthusiasts have two complimentary garden centres to choose from: Rideau Woodland Ramble http://www.rideauwoodlandramble.com, declared one of Canada's Top Garden Destinations, and Down to Earth Gardens http://www.downtoearthgardens.ca, easy care, low maintenance plants for novice, busy and black thumb gardeners, located just south of the village of Burritt's Rapids.

As Merrickville is much more than just a day trip, there are a number of delightful B&Bs, as well as two Inns to overnight at. See http://www.realmerrickville.com for details of accommodations. Restaurants range from pubs,cafes and diners to fine gourmet meals featuring local specialties, family Italian cooking and home made gelato and ice cream.