Merrickville-Wolford, Ontario

Infobox City
official_name = Village of Merrickville-Wolford
native_name =
nickname =
motto = Jewel of the Rideau.

---

imagesize =
image_caption = Rideau Canal locks in Merrickville


image_



mapsize =
map_caption =
image_dot_

image_



mapsize =
map_caption =
image_dot_

---

dot_mapsize = 250px
dot_map_caption = Location of PAGENAME
dot_x = 227 |dot_y = 165
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Canada
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = Ontario
subdivision_type2 =
subdivision_name2 =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = J. Douglas Struthers
leader_title1 = Governing Body
leader_name1 = Merrickville Village Council
leader_title2 =
leader_name2 =
leader_title3 =
leader_name3 =
established_title = Settled
established_date = 1794
established_title2 = Incorporated (Merrickville-Wolford)
established_date2 = January 1, 1998
established_title3 =
established_date3 =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 213.77
area_total_sq_mi =
area_land_km2 =
area_land_sq_mi =
area_water_km2 =
area_water_sq_mi =
area_water_percent =
area_urban_km2 =
area_urban_sq_mi =
area_metro_km2 =
area_metro_sq_mi =
population_as_of = 2006
population_note =
population_total = 2867
population_density_km2 = 13.4
population_density_sq_mi =
population_metro =
population_density_metro_km2 =
population_density_metro_sq_mi =
population_urban =
Racial Groups = =
timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = Eastern (EDT)
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_m =
elevation_ft =
postal_code_type =
postal_code =
website = [http://www.village.merrickville-wolford.on.ca/ Village of Merrickville-Wolford]
footnotes =

Merrickville-Wolford (Canada 2006 Census population 2,867) [http://www12.statcan.ca/english/census06/data/popdwell/Table.cfm?T=301&SR=2793&S=1&O=A&RPP=100&SRCH=1 Statistics Canada] ] is a village-status municipality in Eastern Ontario, Canada, located in Leeds and Grenville United Counties. It spans both shores of the Rideau River.

The current municipality was incorporated on January 1, 1998 by amalgamating the former village of Merrickville with the former township of Wolford.

The Rideau Canal locks at Merrickville with three locks have a total lift of twenty five feet. On the south side of the locks there is the old blockhouse, which has been restored by Parks Canada as a tourist site and museum operated by the Merrickville and District Historical Society.

In the last two decades, the region has seen a boom in the local economy mostly related to increased tourism. It is famous for its local crafts people and artists.

History

William Merrick founded the village of Merrickville in 1794. Attracted to the site by waterpower, he constructed a dam across the river and then built grist, saw and carding mills. It was not long before a community sprang up around the milling activity. In 1821, Merrick built a stone house overlooking his mills.

When the construction crews arrived in 1827 to build the Rideau Canal, the village of Merrick's Mills, as it was then known, was a thriving community of about 300. Unlike most of the pre-canal sites, Merrick's Mills was not destroyed by canal construction. After the canal was completed, the excess water once again turned the wheels of the mills and the improved transportation system caused a surge in commercial activity in the village. By 1851, Merrick's Mills was an impressive industrial centre.

Merrick's Mills continued to thrive into the mid-1860s. The end of the community's industrial growth is closely related to the decline of the commercial phase of the Rideau canal. The rise of the nearby town of Smiths Falls as a major railway hub displaced Merrick's Mills as an industrial leader in the region. Despite the decline, some industry continued in the community. In 1915 a power company was formed at Merrickville to provide electricity for the mills and a foundry, and the woolen mill continued to function until 1954.

Communities

In addition to Merrickville, the village comprises the smaller communities of Carleys Corners, Eastons Corners, Hemlock Corners, Jasper, Snowdons Corners, Wolford Centre and Wolford Chapel.

Attractions

Merrickville was acknowledged as Canada's Most Beautiful Village by Communities in Bloom in 1998, as its charming streets are lined with heritage architecture, artists' studios, specialty boutiques and restaurants. There is a thriving artisan community with more than 30 artists in the area.

Merrickville is considered by many historians to be Canada's best preserved and restored 19th century village,Fact|date=June 2008 with more than 100 historic and heritage properties. One of the oldest settlements along the Rideau canal, a major feature in the village is the set of three locks on the Rideau Canal. You will find these adjacent to the Blockhouse, built in 1832 to guard the locks against American attacks.

The Blockhouse, a National Historic Site of Canada, was built by Lt. Col. John By as part of a chain of four Blockhouses for the defense of the Rideau Canal. The Blockhouse Museum is open during peak summer season. Near the locks is the Industrial Heritage Complex Museum, the site of the original mills.

Merrickville artists include Pat Hardie - photographer & textile artist, Holly Dean - mixed media artist, Barbara Gibson-Dutton - watercolourist & china painter, Laura Starkey - acrylic artist, Martin Green - artist in various media, Pieter Doef - sculptor, Sue Boswell - potter, Jeannette Froese LeBlanc - potter & jewellery, Claudette Hart - the 'she's outta her gourd' lady and potter, [http://www.kevinrobertgray.com/ Kevin Gray Glassblowing] whose gallery is open every day for demonstrations, [http://www.david-paterson.com/ David Paterson Handblown Glass] , whose gallery is open daily, and glassblower Bronwyn McNight at Kiss My Glass.

The [http://www.merrickvilleartists.com/ Merrickville Artists Guild Studio Tour] , the last weekend of September and first weekend in October, is Eastern Ontario's original artists' tour,Fact|date=June 2008 and features the work of over 30 artists each year.

Gardening enthusiasts have two complimentary gardens to choose from: Rideau Woodland Ramble, declared one of Canada's Top Garden DestinationsFact|date=June 2008 with a huge range of rare and exotic plants, trees and shrubs, and Down to Earth Gardens, with walking trails, display gardens and animals, both located just south of the village of Burritt's Rapids.

As Merrickville is much more than just a day trip, there are a number of delightful B&Bs, as well as two Inns to overnight at. Restaurants range from pubs, cafés and diners to fine gourmet meals featuring local specialties, family Italian cooking and home made gelato and ice cream.

Merrickville is also home to the 1st Merrickville Scout Group. Founded in 1908, and still thriving with over 70 youth involved, it is the oldest scout group in North America.Fact|date=June 2008

References

External links

* [http://www.village.merrickville-wolford.on.ca/ Village of Merrickville-Wolford]
* [http://www.merrickvillehistory.org/ Merrickville and District Historical Society]
* [http://realmerrickville.ca/ Merrickville Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://merrickville.mobi/ Merrickville Mobile site]
*wikitravelpar|Merrickville
* [http://merrickville-is-hot.com/ Merrickville-Is-Hot.com] - Find out whats happening today and this week in Merrickville. With a complete list of restaurants and attractions. Updated weekly.