Prince Edward County, Ontario facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Prince Edward
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|---|---|
| County of Prince Edward | |
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| Settled | 1792 |
| Incorporated | 1998 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Municipality |
| Area | |
| • Land | 1,050.45 km2 (405.58 sq mi) |
| Population
(2016)
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| • Total | 24,735 |
| • Density | 24.0/km2 (62/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| Postal Code |
K0K
|
| Area code(s) | 613 / 343 |
| Website | www.thecounty.ca |
Prince Edward County (also known as PEC) is a special type of local government area in southern Ontario, Canada. It's located on the northeastern shore of Lake Ontario. This area is famous for its beautiful sandy beaches, tall limestone cliffs, and places like Sandbanks Provincial Park.
The town of Picton is at the heart of the county, right on the Bay of Quinte. Here you can find the Regent Theatre, an old opera house that has been restored. Near Picton, Macaulay Heritage Park shows what life was like in the 1800s with its old buildings. In 2016, about 24,735 people lived in Prince Edward County. It's a unique place that acts as both a town and a larger region in Ontario.
Contents
History of Prince Edward County
Long ago, indigenous peoples lived in this area. There are important old sites, like the LeVescounte Mounds. These mounds were built by the Point Peninsula complex people about 2,000 years ago.
The county was officially created on July 16, 1792. This was done by John Graves Simcoe, who was the first leader of Upper Canada. The county was named after Prince Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent. He was the fourth son of King George III and the father of Queen Victoria. He was also the commander of British forces in North America.
After the American Revolution, the British government gave land to people called United Empire Loyalists. These were people who stayed loyal to Britain and moved to Canada. This helped new settlements grow in Ontario. The county was first made up of three areas, each named after one of King George III's daughters.
For many years, Prince Edward County has been connected to Hastings County. Their local army unit was called The Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment. A famous writer named Farley Mowat was part of this group. He wrote two books about his time with them during World War II in Italy. These books are called The Regiment and And No Birds Sang.
On January 1, 1998, several towns and villages joined together. These included Picton, Bloomfield, Wellington, and other smaller areas. They all became one new municipality called Prince Edward County. Each of the old areas is now a part of the larger county.
Past Towns and Villages
Here are some of the places that used to be separate towns or villages:
- Ameliasburgh: Named after Princess Amelia of the United Kingdom, who was King George III's youngest daughter.
- Athol
- Bloomfield
- Hallowell: Named after Captain Benjamin Hallowell, an important Loyalist.
- Hillier: Started in 1823, named after Major George Hillier.
- North Marysburgh: Settled by Loyalists in 1785. Named for Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh, another daughter of King George III.
- Sophiasburgh: Named for Princess Sophia of the United Kingdom, one of King George III's daughters.
- South Marysburgh: Also named for Princess Mary, Duchess of Gloucester and Edinburgh.
- Picton: Named after Sir Thomas Picton.
- Wellington: Named after Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington.
Geography of Prince Edward County
Prince Edward County is in Southern Ontario. It's a large piece of land that sticks out into the eastern part of Lake Ontario. To the north and east, it's surrounded by the Bay of Quinte. There's a canal called the Murray Canal that connects the bay to Lake Ontario. Because of this canal, the county is technically an island!
The Murray Canal has two swing bridges. These bridges can open to let boats pass through. Two other bridges cross the Bay of Quinte, connecting the county to the mainland.
Climate and Weather
Prince Edward County has a fairly mild climate because of Lake Ontario. This mild weather is great for growing grapes. That's why there are about 50 vineyards and nearly 30 wineries here. It's even a special area for making wine in Ontario.
The lake also causes more snow in winter compared to nearby areas. July is usually the warmest month, and January is the coldest.
Beautiful Landscape
Prince Edward County covers about 1,000 square kilometers (386 square miles). It has over 500 kilometers (310 miles) of shoreline, including its inland lakes and the border with Lake Ontario. The soil is rich in limestone, which is good for farming and vineyards.
Local Communities
Prince Edward County includes the main towns of Picton and Wellington. It also has many smaller communities like Bloomfield, Carrying Place, Consecon, Glenora, Hillier, Milford, and Waupoos.
People of Prince Edward County
| Prince Edward County, Ontario historical populations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1996 | 25,046 | — |
| 2001 | 24,901 | −0.6% |
| 2006 | 25,496 | +2.4% |
| 2011 | 25,258 | −0.9% |
| 2016 | 24,735 | −2.1% |
| 2021 | 25,704 | +3.9% |
In 2021, the population of Prince Edward County was 25,704 people. This was a small increase from its population in 2016. The county has a land area of about 1,052 square kilometers (406 square miles).
Fun Things to Do
Prince Edward County is a popular place for visitors.
Music Festivals
The county hosts several music festivals. The Music at Port Milford Chamber Music Academy & Festival brings young musicians together. The Classical Unbound Festival features classical music in unique places. The PEC Jazz Festival in August brings many talented Canadian jazz musicians. There is also the Prince Edward County Chamber Music Festival.
Vacationing and Parks
Prince Edward County is a great vacation spot. Sandbanks Provincial Park and North Beach Provincial Park are big attractions, bringing over 600,000 visitors each year. These parks are known for their white sand beaches. The county also has many campgrounds. You can find hotels, motels, and bed & breakfast places to stay.
Water Activities
With so much shoreline, water activities are very popular. You can enjoy water sports like wakeboarding, kayaking, canoeing, and tubing.
Skateboarding and BMXing
Next to the historic Crystal Palace in Picton, you'll find the County Youth Park. This park has a skatepark and playground. Young people come to enjoy these facilities.
Food and Dining
Prince Edward County has become a top place for food lovers. The Black River Cheese Company has been making cheese since 1901. There's also the award-winning Fifth Town Artisan Cheese Factory.
From 2010 to 2017, the county hosted the Great Canadian Cheese Festival. This festival brought cheese-makers from all over Canada. They offered over 125 different artisan cheeses to taste and buy. The festival also featured other local foods, wines, ciders, and craft beers.
The county is known for its "Creative Economy." This means many artists and chefs have moved here. They create new cultural activities and food experiences. The Globe and Mail newspaper called Prince Edward County "the gastronomic capital of Ontario." It's a fertile area with many vineyards and organic farms.
Bird Watching
The Spring Birding Festival is a popular event for those who love birds.
Theatre and Comedy
The Regent Theatre in downtown Picton is one of the few old movie houses left in Ontario. It hosts plays, musicals, and art movies. Prince Edward County also has a lively comedy scene. Groups like Taste That! perform improv and sketch comedy shows. The annual Comedy Country festival brings local and professional comedians together. Other theatre groups include the County Stage Company and Prince Edward Community Theatre.
Wineries, Distilleries, and Cider
Prince Edward County is home to many places that make wine, spirits, and hard cider. Some of these include Black Prince Winery, Closson Chase Winery, County Cider Company, Huff Estates Winery, and Sandbanks Winery.
Sports in Prince Edward County
Hockey
The Wellington Dukes are a well-known hockey team in the village of Wellington. They play in the II-tier league and have been very successful.
The Picton Pirates Junior C Hockey Team, also known as the "Patcheyes," play at the Prince Edward Community Centre. The Pirates were founded in 1989 and play in the Eastern Ontario Junior C Hockey League.
The Picton Pirates won the 2011 Empire "B" Junior C Championship. In 2013, they won the Ontario Hockey Association's Schmalz Cup, proving they were the best Junior C team in the province.
Sailing
Prince Edward County has over 500 kilometers (310 miles) of shoreline. This means there are many safe harbors and places for boating. The county has a rich history of sailing. You can learn about it at the Mariners Park Museum in South Marysburgh. The Archives and Collections Society in Picton has many old documents about the Great Lakes and sailing.
The Prince Edward County Yacht Club in Picton Harbour has a junior sailing program. Kids aged 10–18 can learn to sail small boats with certified instructors.
For sailing adventures, County Sailing Adventures offers daily cruises from Waupoos Marina. You can explore the beautiful freshwater sailing areas.
Education
Colleges and Universities
Prince Edward County is close to excellent schools in Kingston and Belleville. These include Queen’s University, the Royal Military College of Canada, St. Lawrence College, and Loyalist College.
Schools for Kids
The Hastings and Prince Edward District School Board serves nearly 17,000 students. They have 46 elementary schools and eight secondary schools. This school district covers a large area.
The Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board serves Roman Catholic students. About 15,000 students attend their 36 elementary and 5 secondary schools.
Sonrise Christian Academy in Picton offers education for students from kindergarten to Grade 8. Many students from Prince Edward County also attend Albert College in nearby Belleville.
Media
Newspapers and Magazines
- Wellington Times (published every Wednesday)
- The Picton Gazette (published every Tuesday)
- The County Weekly News (published every Thursday)
- County Live
- LIFE AU LAIT Magazine
- County Magazine (published four times a year)
Radio
| Frequency | Call Sign | Branding | Format | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FM 99.3 | CJPE | 99.3 County FM | Country music | Prince Edward County Radio Corporation |
Emergency Services
Prince Edward County has one EMS (Emergency Medical Services) station from Hastings-Quinte EMS. The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) provides policing services from their office in Picton. The Prince Edward County Fire Department is mostly made up of volunteers. They operate from ten fire stations across the county.
Famous People from Prince Edward County
- Guido Basso: A talented musician who plays the flugelhorn.
- J. D. Carpenter: An author.
- Gord Downie: The lead singer of The Tragically Hip, who sometimes lived in the county.
- Fox sisters Catherine (Kate) and Margaretta (Maggie) Fox: They were born near Consecon and later became famous for their spiritualism.
- Raymond Myers Gorssline: The 12th Surgeon General of Canada.
- Jamie Kennedy: A well-known chef.
- Janet Lunn: An author.
- John A. Macdonald: Canada's first Prime Minister. He lived in Glenora for three years and worked as a lawyer in Picton. He also helped with the local school board.
- Kent Monkman: A painter and visual artist.
- Al Purdy: A poet who moved to Ameliasburgh in the 1950s.
- Bill Reddick: A potter.
- Justin Rutledge: A singer-songwriter.
- Astrid Young: A singer-songwriter.
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Prince Edward (Ontario) para niños
