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Vankleek.net - Vankleek Hill Tourism and Information Centre Welcomes - Guest


Vankleek Hill: Gingerbread Capital of Ontario!

Welcome to Vankleek Hill, a wonderful place to visit and live, full of friendly faces and picturesque views. Victorian gingerbread houses barely changed since their construction in the late 18th and 19th century dot the landscape, murals grace their walls, and warm smiles greet you at every store. Located in Prescott-Russell County in the Lower Ottawa Valley, Champlain Township, Vankleek Hill is a delightful rural community tucked away between Ottawa and Montreal.

Vankleek Hill grew from its humble beginnings a century before to become a thriving community in the 1890s. Electricity, telegraph, telephone, rail-progress arrived on the Hill with a bang, bringing new contacts from a larger world. New transportation lines gave local products a wider market. Local business and development received a vigorous boost.

Out of this prosperity came a desire for a singular identity. Incorporation, the legal weaning of a town from its township, was the next logical step in the development of Vankleek Hill. It was believed that a political identity, separate from that of West Hawkesbury Township, would attract more industry and enhance the town's image.

The first meeting of the town council of the new Corporation of Vankleek Hill was held on May 17th, 1897 with Colonel John Shields as Mayor. The public house of Simon Vankleek had officially matured into a town.

Main Street was the focal point of this new community. It was home to many of the town's businesses and fine brick buildings. Take a walk along Main Street as it was in 1897. Although some impressive buildings have disappeared, many of the buildings still exist today.

Victorian styled town/architecture. Variety of shops and boutiques along Main Street. Agricultural Fair. Merchant's Association/organized events. Three elementary schools and one high school. Arena/Park/Curling Club and Driving Range. Organized sports/ hockey/ tennis/ softball/ soccer just to name a few! Industrial Park. Board of Trade. Public Library. Museum. Three residential fully serviced subdivisions. Art Galleries and Murals.

Friday
09 May 2008
11:40
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