While summer weather sent many Ontarians headed to Muskoka and points north others flew to BC, Alberta and south into the US. I took the road less travelled—a four day road trip through South-western Ontario. In my road trip I discovered hidden gems of history and viewed fascinating but little-known parts of Ontario.
From Port Dover, my first stop, I drove along Front Road through a series of small ports, the wonderful sandy beach at Turkey Point and on to Port Rowan on Long Point Bay. Settlers arrived in this area in 1790. The inland part of this bay was largely sheltered from the wild storms that suddenly would appear on Lake Erie. During the war of 1812, American raiders burned the town and other ports along the shore.
Thousands of wooden schooners and steam-powered vessels plied the waters of Lake Erie during the 19th century. Dozens of these were built in the Inner Long Point Bay. However, the shallow nature of the bay and the 45 km long spit of land that constitutes Long Point contributed to storms beaching many ships. Even today storms bring to the surface relics of these old ships. One great storm drove a sailable hole through Long Point enabling ships to sail into the sheltered bay. However, “blackbirds” put up false lighthouses to lure ships onto the shore so they could be looted. Since the nearest law enforcement was in London, it remained a relatively lawless area.
In the sheltered bay, we find the village of Port Rowan with a much-reduced population from pioneer times. It remains a place where evidences of Erie’s maritime history are treasured.
What has not changed is the magnet this area has been to migrating birds and resident reptiles, and turtles. The marshes formed by the Long Point spit provide an ideal habitat for their sustenance. Thousands of tundra swans make their stop here on their migration north in the spring and south in the fall. Uncounted other species either reside here or stop on their journeys making it a magnet for bird watchers.
Fishermen and hunters come from far and near attracted by the enormous diversity of flora and fauna in this biosphere. A chart lists 18 distinct species of sport fish. Although the furthest part of Long Point is protected as a provincial park, cottagers have also settled along any part that is stable enough. What a fascinating time I had in Port Rowan and exploring Long Point.
I could have spent days exploring this rich biosphere, but time constraints moved me to head to my motel for the night. My stay in St. Thomas proved to be intriguing as well. (to be continued.)
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Country Inspiration 