This document summarizes the history along three prominent roads in the Bay of Quinte region: the Loyalist Parkway, Highway 2, and Highway 62. It describes key locations and events along each road, including Champlain's 1615 military expedition near the mouth of the Trent River along the Loyalist Parkway, several impressive post office buildings designed by architect Thomas Fuller along Highway 2, and the ghost town of West Huntingdon and Eldorado's first gold mine along Highway 62. Each road provides a unique historic narrative of the communities in the Bay of Quinte region.

1. 50 / BAY OF QUINTE 2016-2017
ARTS, CULTURE & EVENTS
Historic
Routes
Grand architecture, famous people, important
moments, and historic places are found along
roads of the Bay of Quinte. Here are three
prominent roads with significant stories to tell.
LOYALIST PARKWAY
HIGHWAY 33
-
A Journey Into Canada’s Past
Champlain’s War Party, 1615
Begin your journey on historic Route 33 at the mouth of the
Trent River, where Samuel de Champlain launched a military
expedition in 1615 against the Iroquois. From this historic site,
Champlain’ssmallpartyofFrenchmen,alongwithfivehundred
Hurons, crossed Lake Ontario and entered the Oneida River
to launch an attack upon the Oneida village. In the battle,
Champlain was injured and his party was forced to flee.
The Glenora Ferry
Since the days when Loyalists first began to settle in Prince
Edward County, there has been a ferry service connecting
GlenoratoAdolphustown.TheGlenoraFerrycrossingprovides
an unexpected scenic perk for anyone traveling along the
historic Loyalist Parkway. On a clear summer day or a starry
winter night, the Glenora Ferry crossing provides a grand
photo opportunity.
The Murray Canal
As you enter Prince Edward County, you will travel across the
Murray Canal located in Carrying Place. Prior to the completion
of the Murray Canal in 1889, ships would have to travel the
dangerous waters of Lake Ontario around Prince Edward
County. The eight kilometre canal, connecting Lake Ontario
with the Bay of Quinte, provided travelers an alternative route
between Prince Edward County and the main land, effectively
creating an island in the process.
Escape of the Royal George
Where Loyalist Parkway meets Highway 21, one can look out
from the shores of Lake Ontario between the tip of Prince
EdwardCountyandAmherstIslandandcanobservethescene
of one of the most daring escapes in Canadian naval history.
It was here, through this gap, during the war of 1812, where
the Royal George outran a fleet of seven American ships and
found refuge in Kingston’s harbour.
Each road has its own story to tell, providing
a unique and historic narrative about the
communities they pass through. The Bay
of Quinte region boasts several such historic
routes. There is something for everyone
looking to journey down our historic roads.
Writer John R. Moodie takes a road trip across the region, delving
into the history of highways dating back to the Bay of Quinte’s roots. By John R. Moodie

2. REGIONAL TOURISM GUIDE / 51
ARTICLE GENRE
Sir John A. MacDonald in Picton
Anyone with a passion for history must visit Picton, where
Canada’s first Prime Minister began his career as a lawyer.
Nineteen-year-old John A. MacDonald won his first court
case at the Picton Courthouse in 1833: his bronze statue can
be found in downtown Picton today.
HIGHWAY 2
-
The Historic Mail Road
Trenton, Clock Tower
Those travelling on Highway 2 will discover many examples
ofhistoricarchitecturealongtheway.Onceknownasthe“mail
road,” the post offices in the towns spanning Highway 2 are
someofthemostimpressivebuildingsalongtheroute.Anyone
passing through Trenton on Highway 2 cannot miss the iconic
ClockTower.TheTower,oncepartofTrenton’spostoffice,was
built in 1888. The post office was designed by Thomas Fuller,
the man better known as the architect of Canada’s Parliament
Buildings. Though the post office no longer stands, the Clock
Tower has been preserved and is a landmark worth taking in.
Deseronto, Post Office
Anyone passing through Deseronto should take note of its
commanding post office. The imposing Romanesque building
was built in 1901 and was also designed by Thomas Fuller.
Napanee, Post Office
The Napanee post office is yet another creation of architect
Thomas Fuller. The majestic building has been a landmark
of main street Napanee since it was erected in 1888. The
historic building served as the town’s post office until 1969.
HIGHWAY 62
-
The Main Artery to the North
West Huntingdon, Ghost Town
Those in search of a unique historic experience can venture
to the former community of West Huntingdon in Hastings
County,nearIvanhoe.In the1880s,thishamlethadasuccessful
farmingcommunitywithapopulationofabouttwohundred.
As surrounding towns became increasingly connected by
roadsandrailways,theresidentsofWestHuntingdonbegan
to move away. Today, the community has grown over, and
all that remains are several abandoned buildings.
Eldorado, Ontario’s First Gold Mine
When historic gold mines are brought up, the Klondike Gold
Rush of 1896 immediately comes to mind. However, Ontario
experienced its own gold rush decades earlier. In 1866, gold
was discovered north of Madoc at what is now the village of
Eldorado. Within a year of the discovery, Ontario’s first gold
minewouldbeopened.Thenewsofgoldbroughtanestimated
four thousand prospectors from far and wide with dreams of
striking it rich. Several mines were established throughout
the region, but the deposits depleted a few years later and
the mines closed.
For more historical tour ideas, check out the blog at:
bayofquinte.ca/tourism/culture-heritage
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