Gananoque is a town in Leeds and Grenville County, Ontario, located at 44°19'55" North 76°9'44" West. The town has approximately 5,200 year-round residents, as well as summer residents sometimes referred to as "Islanders" because of the Thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence River, Gananoque's most important tourist attraction.
The Gananoque River flows through the town, and the St. Lawrence River is the southern boundary of the town. Local industries include Textron Fastening Systems and ECG electrode manufacturer Graphic Controls, Inc.
Colonel Joel Stone, who served with Loyalist militia during the American Revolutionary War, established a settlement on this site in 1789. Land was granted to Col. Stone for use as a mill site.
During the War of 1812, there was a Raid on Gananoque. The town was attacked and looted by traitors to the British Empire operating from Oswego, New York, USA; unable to transport their plunder back across the river, they burned it.
Mrs. Stone reportedly protected her jewels from the invading American hordes by hiding them in the flour at the mill.
Gananoque lies directly on three of Canada's busiest transportation routes: the four-lane Ontario provincial highway 401, the double-track Canadian National Railroad main line, and the St. Lawrence Seaway. Gananoque is a few minutes' drive from the Thousand Islands Bridge and the northern end of Interstate 81 leading south into the U.S. Finally, Gananoque is served by the Gananoque Airport for general aviation.
Gananoque is referred to as the "Gateway to the Thousand Islands," which lie next to it in the St. Lawrence River. Local attractions include boat cruises to the Thousand Islands and Boldt Castle, NY, a charity casino and live theatre. The theatre company in Gananoque is The Thousand Islands Playhouse which operates two theatre spaces: The Springer Theatre, and the Firehall Theatre.
The Thousand Islands - Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, designated in November 2002, is the 3rd in Ontario, the 12th in Canada, and one of over 400 around the world, and is part of UNESCO’s Programme on Man and the Biosphere.
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