Brockville facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brockville
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| City of Brockville | ||
    From left to right: John H. Fulford Memorial Fountain, Brockville skyline, Brockville Court House, Downtown Brockville
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| Nickname(s):
"City of 1000 Islands"
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| Motto(s):
Industria, Intelligentia, Prosperitas (Latin)
"Industry, Intelligence, Prosperity" |
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 Brockville
Location in Southern Ontario
Brockville
Location in United Counties of Leeds and Grenville
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| Country | Canada | |
| Province | Ontario | |
| County | Leeds and Grenville (independent) | |
| Settled | 1785 | |
| Incorporated | 1832 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | City | |
| Area | ||
| • Land | 20.91 km2 (8.07 sq mi) | |
| • Metro | 576.87 km2 (222.73 sq mi) | |
| Population
(2016)
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| • City (single-tier) | 22,116 | |
| • Density | 1,057.8/km2 (2,740/sq mi) | |
| • Metro | 31,661 | |
| • Metro density | 54.9/km2 (142/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (EST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (EDT) | |
| Postal code FSA |
K6T to K6V
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| Area code(s) | 613, 343 | |
| Website | www.brockville.com | |
Brockville, once called Elizabethtown, is a city in Eastern Ontario, Canada. It's located in the beautiful Thousand Islands region. Even though it's the main city for the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, Brockville manages its own affairs. It's only counted with Leeds and Grenville for population surveys.
Brockville is often called the "City of the 1000 Islands." It sits on the north side of the Saint Lawrence River. The city is about halfway between Kingston and Cornwall. It's also about 115 kilometers (71 miles) south of Canada's capital, Ottawa. Across the river from Brockville is the village of Morristown, New York.
Long ago, the land where Brockville now stands was home to Indigenous peoples. These included the St. Lawrence Iroquoians and later the Oswegatchie people. Brockville is one of Ontario's oldest towns settled by Loyalist families. It was named after a British general, Sir Isaac Brock.
Some popular places to visit in Brockville are the Brockville Tunnel, Fulford Place, and the Aquatarium.
Contents
History of Brockville
Early Inhabitants
People have lived along the upper Saint Lawrence River for a very long time. Early groups like the Point Peninsula people lived here. You can still see ancient rock paintings, called pictographs, on rocks near Brockville.
Around the 1400s, the St. Lawrence Iroquoians built farming villages in this area. These villages were protected by tall fences called palisades. Later, the Oswegatchie people lived along the north shore of the St. Lawrence River. In 1784, they moved away after talking with the British.
Loyalist Settlers Arrive
In 1784, English-speaking settlers arrived in this part of Ontario. They were thousands of American refugees who came after the American Revolutionary War. These people were called United Empire Loyalists. They stayed loyal to King George III during the war.
The war between Britain and the 13 American colonies lasted from 1776 to 1783. Many colonists who supported the British faced hard times. They often lost their homes and property. Many Loyalists decided to move north to the British colony of Quebec.
Great Britain bought land from First Nations to give to these Loyalists. This new area was first called Upper Canada, now known as Ontario. The British helped the Loyalists start new settlements. The first few years were very tough for these pioneers.
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Naming the City
The Saint Lawrence River was named by explorer Jacques Cartier in 1535. He arrived on the feast day of Saint Lawrence. In 1785, the first Loyalist to settle where Brockville is now was William Buell Sr.. He was a soldier from New York. People first called the settlement Buell's Bay. Around 1810, government officials named the village Elizabethtown.
In 1812, important residents started calling the village Brockville. They wanted to honor Major-General Isaac Brock. He was a British general who was a hero in the War of 1812. He had recently won a big victory at Fort Detroit. General Brock learned about the honor but died in battle before he could officially accept it. It took several years for the name Brockville to become official.
In 1813, American forces crossed the frozen Saint Lawrence River. They raided Elizabethtown, taking military supplies and capturing local soldiers.
Becoming a Town and City
By 1830, Brockville had over 1,000 people. This meant it could have its own elected representative. Henry Jones, the village postmaster, was elected in 1830.
Brockville became Ontario's first self-governing town on January 28, 1832. This was two years before Toronto became a town. Brockville could now manage its own affairs and collect taxes. The first elections for the new Police Board were held in April 1832. Daniel Jones became the first "Mayor" of Brockville.
By 1846, the population grew to over 2,100. Many buildings were made of stone and brick. There was a courthouse, jail, churches, and a steamboat pier. Industries included mills, tanneries, and wagon makers.
In the mid-1800s, Brockville became an industrial center. It had shipbuilding, tanneries, and a foundry. It also became known for making patent medicines.
In 1855, Brockville became an important stop for the new Grand Trunk Railway. This railway connected Montreal and Toronto. This brought more jobs to the city. The Brockville and Ottawa Railway also built a line here. They dug a tunnel under Brockville, which was finished in 1860. The Brockville Tunnel was the first railway tunnel in Canada.
After the American Civil War ended in 1865, Brockville faced a threat. The Fenian Brotherhood, an Irish-American group, invaded Canada. Brockville's volunteer soldiers helped protect the country. These Fenian Raids helped lead to the creation of the new country of Canada in 1867.
By 1869, Brockville had 5,000 people. It was a busy town with steamboats and railways. A ferry also crossed the river to Morristown, New York.
In 1962, Brockville officially became a city. Its coat of arms has a beehive and a golden chain. Its motto means "Industry, Intelligence, Prosperity." Brockville is one of the few Canadian cities with its own official flag.
Climate
Brockville has a climate with warm summers and cold winters. The hottest temperature ever recorded was 39.4°C (102.9°F) in July 1917 and June 1919. The coldest temperature ever recorded was -38.3°C (-37°F) in February 1886 and January 1925.
Getting Around Brockville
Brockville is located between Toronto and Montreal. It's about 340 kilometers (211 miles) northeast of Toronto and 210 kilometers (130 miles) southwest of Montreal. Ottawa is just over an hour away.
Highway 401 goes through Brockville. You can also travel by train with Via Rail at Brockville station. There are daily connections to Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa.
The city has a small airport nearby, the Brockville Regional Tackaberry Airport. The larger Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport is about 100 km (62 miles) away.
Two bridges cross the Saint Lawrence River into New York. These are the Thousand Islands Bridge and the Ogdensburg–Prescott International Bridge.
Brockville Transit is the city's bus system. It has three bus routes and special services for people with disabilities.
Economy and Jobs
Brockville has several large factories. 3M has four factories here, making things like tape and safety products. Procter & Gamble used to make dryer sheets and cleaning products here. They closed their plant in 2020. In 2022, a Canadian food company called Leclerc, known for desserts, moved into the old P&G plant.
Other companies include Canarm, which makes industrial products, and Trillium Canada, a medicine maker. Shell Canada has an oil-blending plant. The store Giant Tiger also has a frozen food warehouse in Brockville. Many people also work at the Invista Canada facility in Maitland, just east of Brockville.
Brockville is also a center for local government, healthcare, and business. The Upper Canada District School Board has its main office here. The Brockville General Hospital recently finished a big expansion. The Brockville Mental Health Centre is also nearby.
Population of Brockville
In the 2021 Census, Brockville had a population of 22,116 people. This was a small increase from 2016. The city covers an area of about 20.91 square kilometers (8.07 square miles).
Fun Things to Do in Brockville (Tourism)
Brockville is known as the "City of the Thousand Islands" because it's right on the Saint Lawrence River. The city has worked to make its downtown area and waterfront beautiful. There are parks, walking paths, and many shops. The city is like an outdoor museum with many old and interesting buildings.
The Aquatarium at Tall Ships Landing is a great place to learn. It has interactive exhibits about the animals and history of the 1000 Islands. It also has the main tourism office.
The Brockville Tunnel is Canada's first railway tunnel. It was built in 1860 and closed in 1970. In 2017, it reopened as a cool pedestrian tunnel with colorful LED lights and music!
The Brockville Court House is a beautiful old building. It was built in 1842-43 and stands in the middle of Court House Square.
Fulford Place is a grand house museum. It was built in 1899-1901 for Senator George Taylor Fulford. He became very rich selling medicines around the world. The house is now owned by the Ontario Heritage Trust and you can take tours there.
The Brockville Museum is in the historic downtown area. It shows exhibits and items about Brockville's history. You can learn how the city grew as a waterfront community.
The John H. Fulford Memorial Fountain was built in 1917.
You can take scenic boat cruises on the Saint Lawrence River with "1000 Islands & Seaway Cruises." They leave from Brockville.
The Brockville area is also popular for wreck diving. Divers explore sunken ships in the Saint Lawrence River. In 2014, Brockville started an underwater Sculpture Park. New sculptures are added every year. The water is very clear now because of tiny creatures called zebra mussels.
Brockville was named one of Canada's safest communities by the World Health Organization.
Boating in Brockville
Brockville is a great place for boating. It has a city harbor and public marina, a Yacht Club, and other marinas. Upstream, there are islands owned by Brockville. Some are city parks, and one is part of the Thousand Islands National Park.
Brockville is at the end of the Thousand Islands region. This beautiful area stretches about 80 kilometers (50 miles) to Kingston, Ontario.
Culture and Arts
Brockville has many groups for music, art, and dance. These include the Brockville Artists Studio Association and the Brockville Community Choir. There are also groups for theater, like the Brockville Theatre Guild. The City of Brockville Pipes & Drums plays traditional Scottish music.
The Brockville Concert Band has a long history. They used to play summer concerts in Hardy Park by the Saint Lawrence River. They also play for city events and charity fundraisers.
St. Lawrence College in Brockville has a Music Theatre program. Students learn to perform in musicals. Their group, SLC Stage, puts on professional-quality musicals at the Brockville Arts Centre. The Brockville Arts Centre is a large theater with many shows each year.
Several festivals happen in Brockville throughout the year.
Local Media
Newspapers and Magazines
The main daily newspaper in Brockville is The Recorder & Times. There is also a free monthly magazine called Snapd 1000 Islands.
Radio Stations
You can listen to several radio stations in Brockville:
- FM 91.9: CBC Radio One (talk radio)
- FM 94.5: Information Radio (tourist information)
- FM 99.9: UCB Radio (Christian radio)
- FM 102.1: Ici Radio-Canada Première (French talk radio)
- FM 103.7: Bounce 103.7 (adult hits music)
- FM 104.9: MOVE 104.9 (adult contemporary music)
You can also hear radio stations from nearby New York State.
Television
- YourTV Brockville (local community channel)
- CKWS-TV Kingston (local news and programming)
Sports in Brockville
Basketball
Brockville has youth basketball teams called the Brockville Blues and the Brockville Blazers. They teach basketball to boys and girls. These teams have done very well in provincial championships. A famous female basketball player, Stacey Dales, is from Brockville. She played for the University of Oklahoma and in the WNBA.
Rowing
Many local clubs and schools in Brockville have had great success in rowing. The Brockville Rowing Club is one example. They have won at provincial, national, and even international levels.
Track and Field
Thousand Islands Secondary School (TISS) has a very strong track and field and cross-country running program. Their teams, the Pirates, have won many Canadian championships. They have also won many provincial championships in Ontario since 2004. Many TISS students have received scholarships to play track and field in the United States. The school has even built a new athletic center because of their success.
Hockey
The Brockville Braves are a Junior "A" ice hockey team. They play in the Central Junior A Hockey League. The Braves started in 1963 and are one of the oldest teams in the league.
In 1979, their arena collapsed, but the team kept playing. It took until 1986 for the Brockville Braves to win a league championship. They won the Bogart Cup, beating their rivals, the Pembroke Lumber Kings. In 1998, they won the league title again. The Braves also hosted and won the 2010 Fred Page Cup, which is the Eastern Canadian Junior "A" championship.
Some famous players from the Brockville Braves have gone on to play in college and professional leagues. In 2017, a new skating rink and building were built at Rotary Park. The building was named P&G Pavilion in 2020.
Baseball
The Brockville Bunnies Youth Baseball Program is a top-level program. It has produced players who have gone on to play professionally and in the Olympics. Brockville also had a minor league baseball team in the 1930s, called the Brockville Pirates and later the Brockville Blues.
Golf
There are several golf courses in the Brockville area. Sunnidel Golf is a good place for an easy game. The Brockville Country Club offers a bigger challenge.
Automobile Racing
The Brockville Ontario Speedway (The BOS) is a dirt oval track just north of the city. Races happen every Saturday night from May to September. Different types of cars race there, including Rookies, Street Stock, Sportsman, Modified, and Vintage cars.
Rugby
The Brockville Privateers R.F.C. rugby club was formed in 1993. Rugby has been played in Brockville since 1899. Now, Brockville Rugby has men's and women's teams, plus programs for younger players.
Swimming
The Upper Canada Swim Club (The River Otters) has competitive swim teams. The YMCA Brockville also has competitive swim teams for children and young adults.
Education in Brockville
Brockville has a community college, four high schools, and several elementary schools.
Community College
St. Lawrence College (Brockville Campus) has about 800 students. It was recently ranked number one in Ontario for how many graduates find jobs.
High Schools
- Académie catholique Ange-Gabriel: This is a French Catholic school for all grades (Junior Kindergarten to Grade 12). It has about 282 students.
- Brockville Collegiate Institute: This school has about 560 students. It is known for its strong academic, theater, and sports programs.
- St. Mary Catholic High School: This is an English Catholic school with around 600 students. It has many sports programs and a popular theater program.
- The Fulford Academy: This is a private boarding school for international students in grades 7-10.
- Thousand Islands Secondary School: This school has about 1,000 students. It prepares students for both university and college. It has good technology facilities and is famous for its sports programs, especially track and field, women's basketball, men's soccer, and cross-country running.
Elementary Schools
Public elementary schools in Brockville include:
- Commonwealth Public School
- Westminster Public School
- Toniata Public School
- Vanier Public School
Catholic English elementary schools are:
- St. Francis Xavier
- St. John Bosco
- James L. Jordan
Académie Catholique Ange-Gabriel is a French-language Catholic school for all grades.
Heritage Community Christian School is a private Christian school. It offers classes from pre-school to grade 8.
Famous People from Brockville
- Brad Abraham - a screenwriter.
- George Chaffey - an engineer and city planner.
- Stacey Dales - a WNBA All-Star and sports broadcaster.
- Todd Gill - a former NHL player.
- Ben Hutton - an ice hockey player.
- Randy Ladouceur - an NHL player and coach.
- Alyn McCauley - an NHL player.
- Portia Perez - a professional wrestler.
- Nathan Phillips - a former Mayor of Toronto.
- Shon Seung-wan - a singer from the K-pop group Red Velvet.
- Frances Ford Seymour - mother of actors Jane and Peter Fonda.
Sister City
Brockville has a sister city in the United States:
See also
In Spanish: Brockville para niños
