Merrickville–Wolford

Merrickville–Wolford is a village-status municipality in Eastern Ontario, Canada, located in the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville. It spans both shores of the Rideau River.

Merrickville-Wolford
Village (lower-tier)
Village of Merrickville-Wolford
Rideau Canal locks in Merrickville
Motto(s): 
Jewel of the Rideau.
Merrickville-Wolford
Coordinates: 44°55′N 75°50′W
CountryCanada
ProvinceOntario
CountyLeeds and Grenville
Settled1794
IncorporatedJanuary 1, 1998 (Merrickville-Wolford)
Government
 • MayorDoug Struthers
 • Governing BodyCouncil of the Village of Merrickville-Wolford
 • Federal ridingLeeds—Grenville
 • Prov. ridingLeeds—Grenville
Area
 • Land214.49 km2 (82.82 sq mi)
Population
 (2016)[1]
 • Total3,067
 • Density14.3/km2 (37/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−05:00 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−04:00 (EDT)
Area code(s)613
Websitewww.merrickville-wolford.ca

The current municipality was incorporated on January 1, 1998, by amalgamating the former village of Merrickville with the former township of Wolford.

The Rideau Canal locks at Merrickville with three locks have a total lift of 25 ft (7.6 m). 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, the region has seen a boom in the local economy mostly related to increased tourism. It is famous for its local crafts people and artists.

History

William Merrick, a Loyalist settler originally from Springfield, Massachusetts, 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 community of about 300. A plaque was erected by the Merrickville and District Historical Society in remembrance of an unknown number of persons who were buried in the McGuigan Cemetery between the years 1800 and 1900; Many died of pestilence, principally malaria, during the construction of the Rideau Canal.

Unlike most of the pre-canal sites, Merrick's Mills was not displaced or overshadowed 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.

Communities

In addition to Merrickville, the village comprises the smaller communities of Carleys Corners, Eastons Corners, Hemlock Corners, Jasper, Snowdons Corners, Wolford Centre, Wolford Chapel and Yule. The village administrative offices are located in Merrickville.

Demographics
Canada census – Merrickville–Wolford community profile
2016 2011 2006
Population: 3067 (+7.6% from 2011) 2850 (-0.6% from 2006) 2867 (2.0% from 2001)
Land area: 214.55 km2 (82.84 sq mi) 214.49 km2 (82.82 sq mi) 213.77 km2 (82.54 sq mi)
Population density: 14.3/km2 (37/sq mi) 13.3/km2 (34/sq mi) 13.4/km2 (35/sq mi)
Median age: 51.6 (M: 51.0, F: 51.9) 45.1 (M: 44.7, F: 45.5)
Total private dwellings: 1344 1248 1195
Median household income: $72192 $54,036
References: 2016[2] 2011[3] 2006[4] earlier[5]

Population trend:[6]

  • Population in 2016: 3,067 (+7.6% from 2011)[1]
  • Population in 2011: 2,850 (-0.6% from 2006)
  • Population in 2006: 2,867 (+2.0% from 2001)
  • Population in 2001: 2,812
  • Population in 1996:
    • Merrickville Village: 1,027
    • Wolford Township: 1,603
  • Population in 1991:
    • Merrickville Village: 989
    • Wolford Township: 1,438

Mother tongue:[7]

  • English as first language: 92.4%
  • French as first language: 3.9%
  • English and French as first language: 0%
  • Other as first language: 3.7%

Attractions
Blockhouse on the Rideau Canal

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 has 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. The locks are adjacent to the Blockhouse, built in 1832 to guard the locks against potential American attacks.

The Blockhouse, a National Historic Site of Canada,[8][9] was built by Lieutenant-Colonel 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 was for many years the home of railway contractor Harry Falconer McLean, and his house built by Aaron Merrick, the son of town founder William Merrick, can still be seen in the village. A pub is now named after Harry McLean, although it is not located in his house.

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.

Gardening enthusiasts can stroll through the Rideau Woodland Ramble, declared one of Canada's Top Garden Destinations (voted one of Canada's Top nurseries in Canadian Gardening) with a huge range of rare and exotic plants, trees and shrubs located just south of the village of Burritts Rapids.

Every summer there is the Merrickville Fair which brings a midway, 4-H Livestock Show events, agricultural displays and other attractions to the town. In July there is also a Vintage Car Show that brings exhibitors from central and eastern Canada and the United States.

There are a number of bed and breakfast locations at Merrickville, and restaurants including pubs, cafés, and diners.

The Rideau Trail passes through the village.

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See also

References
  1. "Merrickville-Wolford census profile". 2016 Census of Population. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2017-11-05.
  2. "2016 Community Profiles". 2016 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. February 21, 2017. Retrieved 2019-06-02.
  3. "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. July 5, 2013. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
  4. "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. March 30, 2011. Retrieved 2012-02-15.
  5. "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. February 17, 2012.
  6. Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006 census
  7. Statistics Canada 2006 Census - Merrickville-Wolford community profile
  8. Merrickville Blockhouse, Directory of Designations of National Historic Significance of Canada
  9. Merrickville Blockhouse. Canadian Register of Historic Places.
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