Amherstburg, Ontario
Encyclopedia
Amherstburg is a Canadian
town near the mouth of the Detroit River
in Essex County, Ontario
. It is approximately 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) south of the U.S. city of Detroit, Michigan.
, Sunset Beach, Willow Beach and Willowood.
, the town was permanently established as a British military fort in 1796. The town was developed by Loyalists, who were granted land in Ontario after the British lost the American Revolutionary War
.
During the days of the Underground Railroad
before the American Civil War
, fugitive African-American
slaves often crossed the river to escape to freedom. They entered Canada at the town. Amherstburg was incorporated as a town in 1878.
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
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
.
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. 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.
The restored Gordon House is another appreciated attraction of Amherstburg. It was built in 1798 overlooking the Detroit River, and houses a Marine exhibit.
For the outdoors enthusiast, Holiday Beach Conservation Area is one of the best fall birding sites in North America. The 546 acres (2.2 km²) nature reserve contains over 2000 feet (609.6 m) of beaches, picnic areas, a 2 kilometres (6,561.7 ft) 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.
Since 2006, Amherstburg has held an annual Shores of Erie Wine Festival. Each September, the four day Wine Festival 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 (established in 1967), is an annual two-day arts and craft festival that takes place the weekend before Labour Day weekend on the grounds of the Fort Malden National Historic Site.
Other festivities include:
Population trend:
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
town near the mouth of the Detroit River
Detroit River
The Detroit River is a strait in the Great Lakes system. The name comes from the French Rivière du Détroit, which translates literally as "River of the Strait". The Detroit River has served an important role in the history of Detroit and is one of the busiest waterways in the world. The river...
in Essex County, Ontario
Essex County, Ontario
Essex County is a county and census division located in Southwestern Ontario and covers an area at the southernmost tip of Canada. The administrative seat is Essex...
. It is approximately 25 kilometres (15.5 mi) south of the U.S. city of Detroit, Michigan.
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 CanardRiver Canard, Ontario
River Canard is a hamlet of roughly 500 people in Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada, approximately 12 miles south of Windsor, Ontario, situated on the Canard River. It is home to an attractive French-Canadian-style church, similar to St. Joachim Church in Lakeshore , and Ste. Anne's Church in Tecumseh...
, Sunset Beach, Willow Beach and Willowood.
History
Across the Detroit River from the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the town was permanently established as a British military fort in 1796. The town was developed by Loyalists, who were granted land in Ontario after the British lost the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
.
During the days of the Underground Railroad
Underground Railroad
The Underground Railroad was an informal network of secret routes and safe houses used by 19th-century black slaves in the United States to escape to free states and Canada with the aid of abolitionists and allies who were sympathetic to their cause. The term is also applied to the abolitionists,...
before the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, fugitive African-American
African American
African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...
slaves often crossed the river to escape to freedom. They entered Canada at the town. Amherstburg was incorporated as a town in 1878.
Weather
Amherstburg has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfa) with four distinct seasons. The summer brings heat & humidity, sometimes cooled by the proximity of the Detroit river and Lake Erie to the South. The area is known for a long growing season for canadian standards. Winter brings cool to cold conditions with rain & snow in the mix.Education
Schools in Amherstburg include: 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
The local public high school in Amherstburg is General Amherst High School, named after Jeffrey Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst
Jeffrey Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst
Field Marshal Jeffery Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst KCB served as an officer in the British Army and as Commander-in-Chief of the Forces.Amherst is best known as one of the victors of the French and Indian War, when he conquered Louisbourg, Quebec City and...
. Although General Amherst High School is located within the town, some teenage residents choose to attend Sandwich Secondary School
Sandwich Secondary School
Sandwich Secondary School is a school in LaSalle, Ontario. It has about 1100 students, and teaches about half of the students in LaSalle, along with St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Secondary School. The current principal is Mr. Manny Novelletto and the vice principal is Mr. Ash. Sandwich Secondary...
or St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Secondary School, located in the neighbouring town of LaSalle, Ontario
LaSalle, Ontario
LaSalle is a town in Essex County, Ontario, Canada, on the Detroit River. It is a bedroom community of the City of Windsor and part of the Windsor Census Metropolitan Area, and is located south of that city. LaSalle, along with Windsor, is the oldest French settlement area in Southwestern 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
Windsor, Ontario
Windsor is the southernmost city in Canada and is located in Southwestern Ontario at the western end of the heavily populated Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. It is within Essex County, Ontario, although administratively separated from the county government. Separated by the Detroit River, Windsor...
.
Tourist attractions
Amherstburg is home to several tourist attractions, including Fort MaldenFort Malden
Fort Malden is a fort that stands on the remains of Fort Amherstburg in Amherstburg, Ontario. The original fort was abandoned by the British/Canadians in 1813 when Southwest Ontario fell into American hands. The Americans began building a smaller replacement fort on the same site, but this was...
and the North American Black Historical Museum
North American Black Historical Museum
The Nazrey African Methodist Episcopal Church National Historic Site and North American Black Historical Museum are located in Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada....
. 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. Additional tourist activities include the Park House Museum
Park House Museum
Park House is a historic house museum, located in Amherstburg, Ontario, Canada. It was built in 1796 in Detroit, but moved to Amherstburg in 1799. It has had many owners, the best-known being the Park family who owned it 102 years...
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.
The restored Gordon House is another appreciated attraction of Amherstburg. It was built in 1798 overlooking the Detroit River, and houses a Marine exhibit.
For the outdoors enthusiast, Holiday Beach Conservation Area is one of the best fall birding sites in North America. The 546 acres (2.2 km²) nature reserve contains over 2000 feet (609.6 m) of beaches, picnic areas, a 2 kilometres (6,561.7 ft) 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
In the first week of every August Amherstburg holds 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 held an annual Shores of Erie Wine Festival. Each September, the four day Wine Festival 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 (established in 1967), is an annual two-day arts and craft festival that takes place the weekend before Labour Day weekend on the grounds of the Fort Malden National Historic Site.
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)
Demographics
| 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 |
Population trend:
- Population in 2006: 21,748
- Population in 2001: 20,339
- Population total in 1996: 19,273
- Amherstburg (town): 10,245
- Anderdon (township): 5730
- Malden (township): 3298
- Population in 1991:
- Amherstburg (town): 8921
- Anderdon (township): 5502
- Malden (township): 3155