Scenic photography: P.K. Carter
Brockville has long been considered to be one of the prettiest
communities in Ontario. The natural beauty combined with its charming
historic character not only draws visitors but new residents as well.
First settled in 1785, Brockville is a Loyalist community. Originally
named Buell's Bay, after the founder William Buell. The settlement changed
its name to Brockville in 1812 in honour of a hero of the War of 1812,
Sir Isaac Brock. Brockville was Ontario's first incorporated community.
It has the distinction of possessing an authentic coat of arms, and is
one of the very few North American cities with its own flag.
Industry has always played an important role in the life of the city.
Brockville's first industrialist was Daniel Jones, who built a sawmill
on Buell's Creek in partnership with William Buell sometime between 1790-1795.
Other industry began to spring up such as tanneries, saddleries, tinsmiths
and shipbuilders.
Brockville grew rapidly in the first half of the 19th century. This expansion
can be attributed to its location on the St. Lawrence River and on the
Grand Trunk Railway line. Both river and rail enabled small businesses
in the area to export materials for business purposes. Larger businesses
lined the riverfront, such as the McNaughton Brewery, the R. P. Colton
Foundry, two wharves and the James Smart Manufacturing Co. Limited. Smart's
Foundry was established under the name Novelty Works which started its
long and plentiful history in Brockville. Smart's foundry was internationally
renowned, having won awards in Philadelphia, USA; Sydney, Australia; and
Paris, France. Apart from industry, King Street was home to nine hotels
alongside many shops and banks. Canada's oldest railway tunnel is one
of the most distinctive monuments of the city. Constructed between 1854
and 1860, the tunnel was officially opened for traffic on December 31,
1860. For almost 100 years steam locomotives traveled through the Brockville
Railway Tunnel which runs literally under the seat of city government.
Victoria Hall (City Hall) was constructed on top of the tunnel between
1862 and 1864. Brockville was also the location for a rather colourful
patent medicine industry in 1854 when W. H. Comstock formed a branch of
his drug company here. Comstock's patent drugs were famous for their Indian
Root Pills.
In 1889, another company emerged. G.T. Fulford made his fortune with Dr.
William's Pink Pills for Pale People. His home, Fulford Place, is now
a showcase to the success of the patent medicine products.
Brockville remains a comparatively small but dynamic industrial centre.
The City supports a diverse range of manufacturing industries, producing
such goods as power tools, chemical products, micro-electronic equipment,
cables and wires, pharmaceutical products and product packaging materials,
to name a few.