Howe Island facts for kids
NASA image
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Lake Ontario |
| Coordinates | 44°16′13″N 76°17′1″W / 44.27028°N 76.28361°W |
| Archipelago | Thousand Islands |
| Area | 31 km2 (12 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
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Canada
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| Province | Ontario |
| County | Frontenac County |
| Township | Frontenac Islands |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 602 (2011) |
Howe Island is a cool island located in the St. Lawrence River in Ontario, Canada. It sits east of Kingston. This island is part of the amazing Thousand Islands chain.
Howe Island works together with Wolfe Island and Simcoe Island. These three islands form a larger area called the township of Frontenac Islands. This township was created in 1998.
The island is about 13 kilometers (8 miles) long and 5 kilometers (3 miles) wide. Its total area is 31 square kilometers (12 square miles). The main part of the St. Lawrence River flows south of the island. To the north, the Bateau Channel separates the island from the Canadian mainland.
Island History
Howe Island has a long and interesting history. The local Iroquois people first called it Ka-ou-enesegoan. Later, a French owner named Jacques Cauchois took possession in 1685. He named it Isle Cauchois.
In 1792, the island's name was changed to Howe Island. This was done by John Graves Simcoe, who was a leader in Upper Canada. The island was named after William Howe, 5th Viscount Howe. He was a British officer who fought in the Seven Years' War. The island first appeared on a map in 1818.
Some stories say the island was also called St. John's at one time. The first person known to live there permanently was William Casey, in 1810. Over the next 40 years, many families moved to the island. Some of their descendants still live there today.
Howe Island has a mix of people who farm and "cottagers" who visit for recreation. There is also a small Roman Catholic Church on the island called St. Philomena's.
Island Population
In 2011, about 602 people lived on Howe Island. However, this number grows a lot during the summer. Many people own vacation homes there and come to enjoy the warmer months.
Getting to Howe Island
You can reach Howe Island by using one of two ferry services. These ferries connect the island to the mainland.
- One ferry is run by the county. It operates on the west side of the island, connecting to Pitts Ferry near Kingston.
- The other ferry is run by the township. It's sometimes called the "Foot Ferry" and operates on the east side. This ferry connects to Gananoque.
