Holland Landing, Ontario
Encyclopedia
Holland Landing is a village in the town of East Gwillimbury, located in the northern part of the Regional Municipality of York, in south-central Ontario
, Canada
. Its major road is Yonge Street
(bypassed by the former Highway 11
) and the village has bus service by GO Transit
and York Region Transit
. The East Gwillimbury GO train station is in the southeast corner of Holland Landing, providing weekday commuter train service. The East Holland River
runs through the village and has several marina
s for recreational boats.
Most of Holland Landing's internal economy is based on the service industry, and some manufacturing. The village has three primary schools, Holland Landing Public School
(YRDSB
), Park Avenue Public School (YRDSB) and Good Shepherd Catholic School (YCDSB
).
came across what would be the future site of Holland Landing, then known as St. Albans, and believed this area would make an ideal shipping and defence point between York
(now Toronto
) and Georgian Bay
. Holland Landing was named after Samuel Holland
, first Surveyor-General of British North America
, who had served on HMS Pembroke
, under Captain John Simcoe, for whom Lake Simcoe
is named.
Holland Landing was the northernmost point on the original alignment of Yonge Street. North of the town the Holland River is easily navigable, and the location was selected as a well sited inland port for Lake Simcoe, via the river. It was intended that Yonge Street, in combination with the similar Penetanguishene Road further north, would provide access to the upper Great Lakes
from the city of York. Holland Landing would be a major point on this route.
However, it never served this intended role in any real capacity. The closest it came was during the War of 1812
, when the British decided to retake the entire lake system through the construction of a number of first-rate ships in Kingston
and Penetanguishene. A large anchor, over fifteen feet (roughly 4.6 m) long and weighing approximately 4000 lbs (about 1 816 kg), for the frigate
under construction at Penetanguishene was shipped from England and had made it as far as Holland Landing when the war ended. Today it serves as the gate guard at Anchor Park.
The town proper was not formed until the early 19th century, settled by the same Quaker immigrants as nearby Newmarket
and Aurora
. In 1815, a population of settlers from Selkirk, Manitoba
arrived in Holland Landing after a conflict between them and the Métis
.
Samuel Lount
, a martyr of the 1837 Rebellion
led by William Lyon Mackenzie
, farmed and operated a smithy here. Lount was captured later, convicted of treason, and hanged on April 12, 1838.
The idea for a canal
linking to Lake Simcoe and the Trent-Severn Waterway
was approved and construction started in 1906. Holland Landing would connect Newmarket and Bradford. It was almost complete in the summer of 1912 – three lift locks, three swing bridges and a turning basin – when the new government of Robert Borden
cancelled the project.
The project was abandoned, earning it the name "The Ghost Canal". It continues to serve as a historical landmark and popular tourist location.
The population estimate is based on the census population of East Gwillimbury, and the town's data which indicate 41% of its residents are in Holland Landing.
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
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...
. Its major road is Yonge Street
Yonge Street
Yonge Street is a major arterial route connecting the shores of Lake Ontario in Toronto to Lake Simcoe, a gateway to the Upper Great Lakes. It was formerly listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the longest street in the world at , and the construction of Yonge Street is designated an "Event of...
(bypassed by the former Highway 11
Highway 11 (Ontario)
King's Highway 11 is a provincially maintained highway in the Canadian province of Ontario. At , it is the second longest highway in the province after Highway 17. Highway 11 begins at Highway 400 in Barrie, and arches through northern Ontario, around Lake Superior, to the Ontario–Minnesota border...
) and the village has bus service by GO Transit
GO Transit
GO Transit is an inter-regional public transit system in Southern Ontario, Canada. It primarily serves the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area conurbation, with operations extending to several communities beyond the GTHA proper in the Greater Golden Horseshoe...
and York Region Transit
York Region Transit
York Region Transit is the public transit operator in York Region, Ontario, Canada. Its headquarters are in Richmond Hill, at 50 High Tech Road....
. The East Gwillimbury GO train station is in the southeast corner of Holland Landing, providing weekday commuter train service. The East Holland River
East Holland River
The East Holland River is a river in Ontario, Canada that is part of the Holland River watershed that empties into Cook's Bay in Lake Simcoe. The headwaters of the East Holland River rise in the Oak Ridges Moraine...
runs through the village and has several marina
Marina
A marina is a dock or basin with moorings and supplies for yachts and small boats.A marina differs from a port in that a marina does not handle large passenger ships or cargo from freighters....
s for recreational boats.
Most of Holland Landing's internal economy is based on the service industry, and some manufacturing. The village has three primary schools, Holland Landing Public School
Holland Landing Public School
Holland Landing Public School is an elementary school. It is one of two public schools located in the town of Holland Landing, East Gwillimbury, Ontario, and serves students in Junior Kindergarten through grade 8. there were 525 students enrolled. the principal is Mr. Bill Cober...
(YRDSB
York Region District School Board
The York Region District School Board, also known as YRDSB, is the English-language public school board for York Regional Municipality located in Ontario, Canada. The York Region District School Board is currently the province's third largest school board, with an enrollment of over 115,000 students...
), Park Avenue Public School (YRDSB) and Good Shepherd Catholic School (YCDSB
York Catholic District School Board
The York Catholic District School Board is the publicly funded English-language Catholic school district authority for the Regional Municipality of York in Ontario, Canada. Its head office is in Aurora....
).
History
In 1793, Governor John Graves SimcoeJohn Graves Simcoe
John Graves Simcoe was a British army officer and the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada from 1791–1796. Then frontier, this was modern-day southern Ontario and the watersheds of Georgian Bay and Lake Superior...
came across what would be the future site of Holland Landing, then known as St. Albans, and believed this area would make an ideal shipping and defence point between York
York, Upper Canada
York was the name of Old Toronto between 1793 and 1834. It was the second capital of Upper Canada.- History :The town was established in 1793 by Governor John Graves Simcoe, with a new 'Fort York' on the site of the last French 'Fort Toronto'...
(now Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
) and Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay
Georgian Bay is a large bay of Lake Huron, located entirely within Ontario, Canada...
. Holland Landing was named after Samuel Holland
Samuel Holland
Samuel Johannes Holland was a Royal Engineer and first Surveyor General of British North America.-Life in the Netherlands:...
, first Surveyor-General of British North America
British North America
British North America is a historical term. It consisted of the colonies and territories of the British Empire in continental North America after the end of the American Revolutionary War and the recognition of American independence in 1783.At the start of the Revolutionary War in 1775 the British...
, who had served on HMS Pembroke
HMS Pembroke
Nine ships and a number of shore establishments of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Pembroke.-Ships: was a 28-gun ship launched in 1655 and lost in a collision off Portland in 1667. was a 32-gun fifth rate launched in 1690, captured by the French in 1694 and subsequently wrecked. was a 60-gun...
, under Captain John Simcoe, for whom Lake Simcoe
Lake Simcoe
Lake Simcoe is a lake in Southern Ontario, Canada, the fourth-largest lake wholly in the province, after Lake Nipigon, Lac Seul, and Lake Nipissing. At the time of the first European contact in the 17th century the lake was called Ouentironk by the Huron natives...
is named.
Holland Landing was the northernmost point on the original alignment of Yonge Street. North of the town the Holland River is easily navigable, and the location was selected as a well sited inland port for Lake Simcoe, via the river. It was intended that Yonge Street, in combination with the similar Penetanguishene Road further north, would provide access to the upper Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
from the city of York. Holland Landing would be a major point on this route.
However, it never served this intended role in any real capacity. The closest it came was during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, when the British decided to retake the entire lake system through the construction of a number of first-rate ships in Kingston
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
and Penetanguishene. A large anchor, over fifteen feet (roughly 4.6 m) long and weighing approximately 4000 lbs (about 1 816 kg), for the frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
under construction at Penetanguishene was shipped from England and had made it as far as Holland Landing when the war ended. Today it serves as the gate guard at Anchor Park.
The town proper was not formed until the early 19th century, settled by the same Quaker immigrants as nearby Newmarket
Newmarket, Ontario
Newmarket is a town in Southern Ontario located approximately 50 km north of downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area and is connected to Toronto by freeway, and is served by three interchanges along Highway 404. It is also connected to Highway 400 via Highway 9...
and Aurora
Aurora, Ontario
Aurora is an affluent town in York Region, approximately 20 km north of Toronto. It is partially situated on the Oak Ridges Moraine, and is a part of the Greater Toronto Area and Golden Horseshoe of Southern Ontario.Many Aurora residents commute to Toronto and surrounding communities.In the...
. In 1815, a population of settlers from Selkirk, Manitoba
Selkirk, Manitoba
Selkirk is a city in the western Canadian province of Manitoba, located about 22 km northeast of the provincial capital Winnipeg on the Red River, near . As of the 2006 census, Selkirk had a population of 9,515....
arrived in Holland Landing after a conflict between them and the Métis
Métis people (Canada)
The Métis are one of the Aboriginal peoples in Canada who trace their descent to mixed First Nations parentage. The term was historically a catch-all describing the offspring of any such union, but within generations the culture syncretised into what is today a distinct aboriginal group, with...
.
Samuel Lount
Samuel Lount
Samuel Lount was a businessman and political figure in the province of Upper Canada. He participated in the Upper Canada Rebellion of 1837....
, a martyr of the 1837 Rebellion
Upper Canada Rebellion
The Upper Canada Rebellion was, along with the Lower Canada Rebellion in Lower Canada, a rebellion against the British colonial government in 1837 and 1838. Collectively they are also known as the Rebellions of 1837.-Issues:...
led by William Lyon Mackenzie
William Lyon Mackenzie
William Lyon Mackenzie was a Scottish born American and Canadian journalist, politician, and rebellion leader. He served as the first mayor of Toronto, Upper Canada and was an important leader during the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion.-Background and early years in Scotland, 1795–1820:Mackenzie was...
, farmed and operated a smithy here. Lount was captured later, convicted of treason, and hanged on April 12, 1838.
The idea for a canal
Newmarket Canal
The Newmarket Canal is an abandoned canal project in Newmarket, Ontario.The idea for a canal linking to Lake Simcoe and the Trent-Severn Waterway was approved and construction started in 1906...
linking to Lake Simcoe and the Trent-Severn Waterway
Trent-Severn Waterway
The Trent–Severn Waterway is a Canadian canal system formerly used for industrial and transportation purposes and now for recreational and tourism purposes, connecting Lake Ontario at Trenton to the Georgian Bay portion of Lake Huron at Port Severn...
was approved and construction started in 1906. Holland Landing would connect Newmarket and Bradford. It was almost complete in the summer of 1912 – three lift locks, three swing bridges and a turning basin – when the new government of Robert Borden
Robert Borden
Sir Robert Laird Borden, PC, GCMG, KC was a Canadian lawyer and politician. He served as the eighth Prime Minister of Canada from October 10, 1911 to July 10, 1920, and was the third Nova Scotian to hold this office...
cancelled the project.
The project was abandoned, earning it the name "The Ghost Canal". It continues to serve as a historical landmark and popular tourist location.
Nearest communities
- BradfordBradford, OntarioBradford is the primary country urban area of the Town of Bradford West Gwillimbury, Ontario, in Canada. It overlooks a beautiful and prosperous farming community, known as The Holland Marsh, located on the Holland River that flows into Lake Simcoe...
, northwest - QueensvilleQueensville, OntarioQueensville is a village within the Town of East Gwillimbury, Ontario, Canada.Among the private homes, the village proper contains the Queensville Cemetery, a post office, a United Church of Canada, and a complex containing a fire hall, a community centre, a public park with softball diamond,...
, northeast - SharonSharon, OntarioSharon is a former village which has been incorporated into the municipality of the Town of East Gwillimbury, Ontario, Canada, formerly the Township of East Gwillimbury...
, east - NewmarketNewmarket, OntarioNewmarket is a town in Southern Ontario located approximately 50 km north of downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is part of the Greater Toronto Area and is connected to Toronto by freeway, and is served by three interchanges along Highway 404. It is also connected to Highway 400 via Highway 9...
, south - Kettleby, southwest
- AnsnorveldtAnsnorveldt, OntarioAnsnorveldt is a hamlet located at the northeastern edge of King Township, in Ontario, Canada. It is located in the Holland Marsh, north of Highway 9...
, west - KeswickKeswick, OntarioKeswick is a community in the south central portion of the Canadian province of Ontario. Located north of Toronto on Cook's Bay , Keswick is part of the Town of Georgina...
, north
Geography
- Population:
- 2006: about 8,500
The population estimate is based on the census population of East Gwillimbury, and the town's data which indicate 41% of its residents are in Holland Landing.