Brockville Museum, The Mill and Brock trail

The Brock trail runs along the banks of the beautiful St. Lawrence River. The city was named after General Isaac Brock. It is also home of the famous "Pink Pills for Pale People" manufactured by George Fulford. His home is still standing today. 

The Brock Trail is a 8 km scenic pathway, part of the Ontario Waterfront Trail that runs along Brockville's beautiful waterfront and through city parks. The trail also moves north following Butler's Creek and Buell's Creek with the trail ending on Centennial Rd. at the southern border of the Mac Johnson Wildlife Area. 

Brockville Railway Tunnel

Trails are paved and can accommodate bicycles, roller blades, wheelchairs, and strollers. You might also want to visit the Brockville Railway Tunnel, Blockhouse Island, or one of the other parks along the river. Swimming, scuba diving, or just relaxing in one of the riverfront parks are popular activities. 

 

I had to wait until the rain stopped as the skies opened up when I pulled in the parking lot.  It was a very muggy day, so everyone was relieved by the downpour.  Kids were jumping in puddles, even some of the young moms gave up trying to hide under the trees and just allowed themselves to get drenched.

Once the last spell had lifted, I got out of the car and proceeded to the trail.  Just east of the parking lots is a large mill pond first created in the 1790s to serve Daniel Jones saw mill, located near the mouth of Jones' Creek.  

In the 1850s an additional grist Mill was operated by the Shepherd family.  The pond lasted for over 90 years, ans was drained about 1884 to allow for the construction of the CPR rail line to the waterfront.

A little further you can see the Isaac Beecher House.

The land was first granted to United Empire Loyalist Daniel Jones in 1790.  In 1824, Isaac Beecher bought the Jones property and in the 1840 he added the large stone house.  Beecher a tanner by trade owned the house until his death in 1870.  In 1897 the house and surrounded property was sold to the central Canada coal company in 1976 the City of Brockville with the assistance of the Brockville and district historical society bought the site to establish a permanent museum.

In 1981 after restoration and renovation, the Beecher house doors were opened as the Brockville Museum.

During the pandemic a lot of these indoor attractions are closed off from the public - if you're passing through you'll want to check out Brockville.  The homes especially are so unique.  A lot of the historical value is still kept in the small town.  I loved it.

Upper Canada Village (Battle of Crysler's Farm)

If you have never been to Upper Canada Village, I encourage you to spend a day here.  The park incorporates a strong memorial to the Battle of Crysler's Farm (yea that's the correct spelling :) which occurred in November 1813 ('The war of 1812")

In November 1813, an American army of some 8000 men commanded by major General James Wilkinson moved down the St Lawrence Seaway on their way to Montreal.

 

Wilkinson was followed and harassed by a British soldiers consisting of about 800 regulars, militia and Natives commanded by Lieut.-Col Joseph Morrison.  On November 11 Morrison's force was attacked by a contingent of the American army numbering about 4000 men commanded by Brigadier-General J.P. Boyd.

The hard fought battle resulted in the withdrawal of American troops from the battlefield.  This victory combined with the defeat of another invading army at Chateauguay on October 26 saved Canada from conquest in 1813!

Further historical sites at the village is a look at a rural English-Canadian life setting during the year 1866 with over 40 historical buildings including several working mills (woollen, grist and saw mills), and trades buildings (blacksmith, tinsmith, cabinetmaker, bakery and cheese-maker).

The park also is situated on the shores of the St. Lawrence seaway so there's plenty of spectacular views and places for picnics here and there situated on the property.

Located in Morrisburg, Ontario.  As the village was closed when we were there, please check first before heading out as I believe it's now open to the public for summer hours. 

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Other parts of the Crysler Park at Upper Canada village include a marina, a pond, a train that takes you through the park and plenty of space for a picnic.