Amherstburg, Ontario Information
Amherstburg (2006 population 21,748; UA population 13,410) is a Canadian town near the mouth of the Detroit River in Essex County, Ontario, Canada. It is approximately 25 kilometres (15 mi) south of the U.S. city of Detroit, Michigan.
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Location
The town, across the river from the United States, was permanently established as a British military fort in 1796. During the days of the Underground Railroad, the town was often the point at which freed slaves entered Canada. The local public high school in Amherstburg is General Amherst High School, named after Jeffrey Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst. Although General Amherst High School is located within the town, some teenage residents choose to attend Sandwich Secondary School or St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Secondary School, located in the neighbouring town of LaSalle, Ontario. Both offer a French Immersion program for those who've attended a French grade school; French students in Amherstburg may also attend Ecole Secondaire E.J. Lajeunesse, located in Windsor, Ontario.
Dalhousie St. between Murray and Richmond Sts.History
| Census | Population |
|---|---|
| 1841 | 985 |
| 1871 | 1,936 |
| 1881 | 2,672 |
| 1891 | 2,279 |
| 1901 | 2,222 |
| 1911 | 2,560 |
| 1921 | 2,769 |
| 1931 | 2,759 |
| 1941 | 2,853 |
| 1951 | 3,638 |
| 1961 | 4,452 |
| 1971 | 5,169 |
| 1981 | 5,685 |
| 1991 | 8,921 |
| 2001 | 20,339 |
| 2006 | 21,748 |
Amherstburg was incorporated as a town in 1878.
Tourist attractions
Amherstburg is home to several tourist attractions, including Fort Malden and the North American Black Historical Museum. An Ontario Historical Plaque was erected in Amherstburg by the province to commemorate Bellevue House's role in Ontario's heritage. Bellevue House (c. 1816-19) was the home of Catherine Reynold, a landscape painter and her brother Robert Reynolds.[1] Additional tourist activities include the Park House Museum and the charming Navy Yard Park, both of which are located in the heart of old Amherstburg.
An art and history fan would appreciate the charming Gibson Gallery. The Gallery building is a former Michigan Central Railroad Station (circa 1896) which has been fully restored to its original beauty. The gallery operates year-round, featuring exhibits by local artists, the permanent collection of the Art Gallery of Windsor, traveling exhibits from Ontario museums and galleries and student art/photography exhibits. A restored Essex Terminal railway caboose is now a railway museum that represents the nostalgia of Amherstburg's railroad history.[2]
The restored Gordon House is another appreciated attraction of Amherstburg. It was built in 1798 overlooking the Detroit River, and houses a Marine exhibit.[3]
For the outdoors enthusiast, Holiday Beach Conservation Area is one of the best fall birding sites in North America. The 546-acre (2.21 km2) nature reserve contains over 2,000 feet (610 m) of beaches, picnic areas, a 2 km trail along the edge of Big Creek Marsh. Holiday Beach is considered North America's premiere spot to view the fall migration of raptors (birds of prey). A 'Festival of Hawks' event takes place in September.
Festivals
Amherstburg is a town which takes pride in its history and on the first weekend of every August they hold a heritage festival consisting of activities at several locations around town. At Fort Malden, for example, they hold a military time-line event where re-enactors depicting eras ranging from the Roman Empire to the Second World War establish camp and perform battle demonstrations.
Since 2006, Amherstburg has attracted much attention with its annual Shores of Erie Wine Festival. Each September, the four day Wine Festival attracts many tourists, and features food, dancing, live entertainment, and wine tasting.
Amherstburg also celebrates Canada Day with a yearly fireworks display and day of family activities.
Art by the River, is an annual arts and craft festival that takes place the weekend before Labour Day weekend on the grounds of the Fort Malden National Historic Site. This two day festival, which began in 1967, attracts artists and artisans from all over Ontario.
Other festivities include:
- Annual Carnival (May)
- Beef In the Burg Barbecue (May - June)
- Firefighters "J Wimpy" Volleyball Tournament (June)
- Verdi Club Festival (July)
- Boblo International Jazz Festival (July)
- Canada Day Celerations (July 1st)
- Ice Cream Festival (July 1st)
- Gone Crazy Car Show (August)
- Ribfest (August)
- Shores of Erie International Wine Festival (September)
- Cancer Walk-a-thon (October)
- Pumpkinville (October)
- Christmas Parade (Late November)
- River Lights (November - December)
Education
Amherstburg Public Elementary School, Anderdon Public Elementary School, General Amherst High School, St. Bernard Catholic Elementary School, Stella Maris Catholic Elementary School, St. Jean the Baptiste Catholic French Elementary School, St. Theresa Catholic Elementary School, St Joseph Catholic Elementary School, Malden Public School
Communities
In addition to the primary urban area of Amherstburg, the town also includes the smaller communities of Amherst Pointe, Anderdon, Auld, Bar Point, Boblo, Edgewater Beach, Glen Eden, Holiday Beach, Lakewood Beach, Lukerville, Malden Centre, McGregor, North Malden, River Canard, Sunset Beach, Willow Beach and Willowood.
External links
- Town of Amherstburg Official Website
- Black Historical Museum Official Website
- Gibson Gallery Official Website
- Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce Official Website
References
| Grosse Ile, Michigan | LaSalle, Ontario | Tecumseh, Ontario | ||
| Grosse Ile, Michigan | Essex, Ontario | |||
| Amherstburg, Ontario | ||||
| Trenton, Michigan/Monroe, Michigan | Lake Erie | Essex, Ontario |
Categories: Municipalities in Essex County, Ontario | Populated places on the Great Lakes | Towns in Ontario | Underground Railroad locations
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