Port Dover

Understand

History

Port Dover's earliest known inhabitants, from around the year 1000 until approximately 300–350 years later, were the Algonquin nation. They were noted flint-workers and evidence of their skill in crafting arrowheads is still to be found in open worked field areas surrounding the village. The next wave of inhabitants were the Attawandaron nation, the Neutrals, who occupied the region from about 1350 until their absorption by the Iroquois in 1651. The last significant Indigenous nation to occupy the area was the Mississaugas. In 1670, French missionaries François Dollier de Casson and René Bréhant de Galinée became the first Europeans to winter at what is now Port Dover. Earthen remains and a plaque mark the spot near the fork of the Lynn River (Patterson's Creek to many older Port Doverites) and Black Creek where they and seven Frenchmen (the first Europeans known to have ascended the Great Lakes to Sault Ste. Marie) built a hut and chapel. The "Cliff Site" is designated as a National Historic Site of Canada. Just outside the community, a cross with the arms of France was erected on 23 March 1670, claiming the area for King Louis XIV over the Lake Erie region. By 1794 the first European settlers, a group of United Empire Loyalists, had established a hamlet known as Dover Mills (named for the English port of Dover). This community was attacked during the War of 1812, in May 1814. After making their landing on the shore, 750 American soldiers launched a surprise attack on the village's civilians. Scattered elements of nearby militia and regular units tried to defend the village without any success. The survivors of the war rebuilt the town of Port Dover further downstream on Patterson's Creek.

By 1842, the village's harbour, lighthouse and bridge across the river had been completed as had the road to Hamilton; there was a grammar school, a grist mill, a saw mill and a Presbyterian church in the course of construction. The Hamilton & Northwestern Railway

Getting there

The nearest intercity bus and train stations are 43 km (27 mi) away in Brantford. Port Dover is 143 km (89 mi) from Toronto. Take the Gardiner Expressway/Queen Elizabeth Way/Highway 403 to provincial Highway 6, and follow it south to Port Dover. Ride Norfolk provides on-demand transit service.

Getting around

By taxi Guido's Taxi, ☏ +1 519-427-4906 Dover Cab & Delivery, ☏ +1 519-909-9572

See

The pier down by the beach offers a great view of Lake Erie during nice weather. It is generally a draw for tourists in the area. 1 Lighthouse Festival Theatre, 247 Main St, toll-free: +1-888-779-7703. Theatre and concerts. (updated Aug 2018) 2 Port Dover Lighthouse (at the end of the west pier (break-wall), at the entrance to Port Dover Harbour). M-F 10AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-8PM. A good example of a building associated with the establishment of navigational aids on the Great Lakes. The construction of the Port Dover lighthouse was part of the Canadian response to improve the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence route, to compete with the American-built Erie Canal system that linked New York with Buffalo on Lake Erie. The wharf and light have been, and continue to be, the centre of Port Dover's economy, which is focused on commercial fishing and an active summer resort trade. This lighthouse is one of a number of square wooden towers built on the Great Lakes in the 19th century and is one of the oldest examples in Ontario of the small wooden lighthouses built in pre-Confederation years. (updated Aug 2018) 3 Port Dover Harbour Museum, 44 Harbour St, ☏ +1 519-583-2660, [email protected]. Sep-Jun: Tu-F 10AM-4:30PM, Sa noon-4PM, July-Aug: daily 10AM-4:30PM; closed Dec 23-31. Partially housed in an original fisherman's net shanty, it is dedicated to the history of Port Dover's commercial fishing industry. Permanent galleries present exhibits on the days of commercial sail, Lake Erie shipwrecks, shipbuilding, Long Point, rum running, and other aspects of lakeside life. Outdoor attractions include the 1932 fishtug Almidart, a 1912 lake-freighter wheelhouse, and access to the river along a picturesque wooden dock. There is also a major collection of artefacts from the 1852 wreck of the Steamer Atlantic near Long Point. (updated Aug 2018)

Do

Port Dover is a popular destination for anglers and generally maintains a "fishing community" feel. Although not a large enough town to enjoy much of a nightlife, many of the locals and people from surrounding communities tend to enjoy spending time at the pier and along the beaches. 'Dover is also a good place for sailing and most people with pleasure craft in the area tend to use the town as a port. There are scenic waterfalls nearby and tourists generally go to nearby Port Ryerse as a side trip. Local roads that originate from here often lead to the hamlets of Fishers Glen, Normandale and Turkey Point (which is another seasonal beach destination). Apple wine, produced by the local farmers themselves, can be purchased by anyone due to its lack of alcohol content. This product is available in the Port Dover area. On clear summer nights, the Port Dover lighthouse can be seen glimmering brightly with the moon.

1 Lynn Valley Trail. A trail on the former rail line that was established along the Pioneer River Trail in 1873 as the Lake Huron and Port Dover Railway. It is a multipurpose corridor that includes hiking and cycling. The 10-km trail connects the business districts of Simcoe and Port Dover. The trail passes through a number of different habitats including; mixed woods, wetlands, open grassland and agricultural land, all along the scenic Lynn River. Examples of Carolinian flora and fauna may be found along the trail: cardinals, bluebirds, red-tailed hawks, chipmunks, deer, raccoons, turtles and frogs. Plant life includes multi-flora rose, skunk cabbage and trilliums in the spring, lobelias, white snakeroot and Grass of Parnassus in the summer and asters, grasses and goldenrod in the fall. Benches, picnic tables, a portable washroom, fencing and signage. (updated Aug 2018) 2 Selkirk Provincial Park, 151 Wheeler’s Sideroad (East of town), ☏ +1 905-776-2600. A smaller, relatively quieter provincial park compared to the larger parks to the west of Port Dover. Gras

Buy

Port Dover has a fair number of tourist shops selling the usual fare of trinkets and odds & ends. You can find a number of shops dedicated to angling and sailing, and the town is a good place to go if you're in the market for a new boat or rod.

1 Frisky Beaver, 455 Radical Road, ☏ +1 519-900-1381. Jun-Sep: M-W 10AM-6PM, Th-Sa 10AM-8PM, Su 11AM-6PM; Oct-Dec: M-Sa 10AM-6PM, Su 11AM-5PM; Jan-May: M-Sa 10AM-5:30PM, Su noon-5PM. Sample their 6 wines for $5 (free if you buy a bottle). Bottles are in the range of $14. (updated Aug 2018)

Eat

The fish and chips available at most restaurants in Port Dover are absolutely excellent. Try the lake perch - sometimes hard to find but definitely worth it. Port Dover is also a good place to go for a hot dog. There are usual