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Amherstburg

Amherstburg is a town near the mouth of the Detroit River in Essex County, Ontario, Canada. In 1796, Fort Malden was established here, stimulating growth in the settlement. The fort has been designated as a National Historic Site.

Amherstburg
Town of Amherstburg
Sandwich St. at Richmond St
Amherstburg
Amherstburg
Coordinates: 42°06′N 83°05′W / 42.100°N 83.083°W / 42.100; -83.083
CountryCanada
ProvinceOntario
CountyEssex
Government
 • MayorMichael Prue
 • MPChris Lewis (Conservative)
 • MPPAnthony Leardi (PC)
Area
 • Land183.76 km2 (70.95 sq mi)
 • Urban
13.70 km2 (5.29 sq mi)
Population
 (2021)[3][4]
 • Town (lower-tier)23,524
 • Density128/km2 (330/sq mi)
 • Urban
15,177
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Forward sortation area
Area codes519 and 226
Websitewww.amherstburg.ca
Dalhousie St. between Murray and Richmond Sts.
Main Street, Amherstburg, 1865.

The town is approximately 25 kilometres (16 mi) south of the U.S. city of Detroit, Michigan, facing Wyandotte, Grosse Ile Township, Brownstown Charter Township, Trenton, and Gibraltar, Michigan. It is part of the Windsor census metropolitan area.

Communities Edit

The town of Amherstburg comprises a number of villages and hamlets, including the following communities: Amherst Point, Bar Point, Busy Bee Corners, Edgewater Beach, Erieview Beach, Glen Eden, Lake Erie Country Club, Lakewood Beach, Malden Centre, McGregor (partially), River Canard (partially), Sunset Beach, Willow Beach, Willowood; Golfview, Kingsbridge, Pointe West; Auld, Gordon, Loiselleville, North Malden, Quarries, Southwick, Splitlog; Good Child Beach, The Meadows & Boblo Island

History Edit

French colonists had settled along what became the Canadian side of the Detroit River during the colonial era, establishing small farms. The Petite Côte settlement was founded along the river to the north.

In 1796, after losing the Thirteen Colonies following the American Revolutionary War, the British established Fort Malden as a military fort overlooking the river's mouth at Lake Erie. It was occupied as a garrison. This stimulated development in the area, as did the Crown granting land in Upper Canada to Loyalists (now known as United Empire Loyalists) in compensation for losses in the Thirteen Colonies, or as payment for service in the military during the war.

 
Park House Museum, Amherstburg Ontario, c. 1796
 
Amherstburg, Gordon House, 1798
 
Belle Vue, c. 1816

The Crown also wanted to increase population and development in Upper Canada. The new settlers built many of their houses in the French style of a century before, giving the new town a historic character. French-speaking colonists also settled here, some of whom were descendants of soldiers and traders associated with Fort Detroit, or other early colonists. They were known as Fort Detroit French, in contrast to later migrants of the 19th century from Quebec, who became known as Canadian French.[5] St. Jean was their Catholic church.

During the days of the Underground Railroad before the American Civil War, refugee African-American slaves often crossed the Detroit river to escape to freedom in Canada, after the Crown abolished slavery. Although Michigan was a free state, slavecatchers went to Detroit trying to capture slaves and take them to owners for bounty. Detroit abolitionists William Lambert and especially George DeBaptiste were key to helping the slaves escape. DeBaptiste owned a lake steamboat that he used to offload refugees in town while docked ostensibly to load lumber.[6] They used Fort Malden as one of several entry points to Canada. The town is mentioned in Uncle Tom’s Cabin as the entry point of George and Eliza, after escaping from slavery in the United States.[7]

By 1869, the town of Amherstburg in the Township of Malden, County of Essex had a population of 2,500. When the fort was no longer needed for military purposes, the government adapted it for use as a provincial "lunatic asylum". Its main building was later used as a Port of Entry, Money Order office, Post Office & savings bank.[8]

Amherstburg was incorporated as a town in 1878. The town is named after Jeffery Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst, commander of the British forces and first British Governor General of the Province of Quebec (1760).[9]

In 1998, The Town of Amherstburg absorbed the neighbouring Township of Anderdon (to its northeast) and Township of Malden (to its southeast) to form a larger Town of Amherstburg.

At 20:01 Eastern Daylight Time on April 19, 2018, a magnitude 3.6 earthquake (with a depth of 7.8 kilometres (4.8 mi)) occurred in Amherstburg, between the main portion of town and McGregor. No damage was reported, but the 30-second shaking was felt in Windsor, Downtown Detroit, and the Downriver communities across the river, such as Grosse Ile, Michigan. Some minor shaking was felt as far away as Toledo, Ohio along Lake Erie and Ann Arbor in the interior of Michigan.[10][11][12][13][14][15]

 
Amherstburg Police Force showing Chief Addison and Chief Detective Renaud, [ca. 1912]

The Amherstburg Police Service was dissolved at the end of 2018, with its officers and responsibilities transferred to a detachment of the Windsor Police Service.[16]

Education Edit

The local public high school in Amherstburg is North Star High School. Up until 2022 the high school was General Amherst High School, named after Jeffrey Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst. Although North Star High School is located in the town, some youth residents choose to attend St. Thomas of Villanova Catholic Secondary School, located near the neighbourhood of River Canard. French-speaking students in Amherstburg may also attend École Secondaire E.J. Lajeunesse, located in Windsor, Ontario.

Tourist attractions Edit

Amherstburg is home to several tourist attractions, including Fort Malden and the Amherstburg Freedom Museum (formerly the North American Black Historical Museum). This explores the history of African-American refugees in western Ontario, who sought freedom from slavery and made their homes here.

An Ontario Historical Plaque was erected in Amherstburg by the province to commemorate Bellevue House. Built c. 1816-19, it was the home of Catherine Reynolds, a landscape painter, and her brother Robert Reynolds.[17] Additional tourist attractions include the Park House Museum and King's Navy Yard Park, both of which are located in the heart of old Amherstburg.

The Gibson Gallery is located in a former Michigan Central Railroad Station (c. 1896), which has been fully restored. The gallery operates year-round, featuring exhibits by local artists, the permanent collection of the Art Gallery of Windsor, travelling exhibits from Ontario museums and galleries, and student art/photography exhibits. A restored Essex Terminal railway caboose is operated as a railway museum.[18] Gordon House was built in 1798 as a residence overlooking the Detroit River. Since being restored, it houses a Marine exhibit.[19]

 
Postcard depicting the Old Eliott Home, Amherstburg, Ontario, [ca. 1910]

The Holiday Beach Conservation Area is one of the best fall birding sites in North America for viewing migratory birds. The 546-acre (2.21 km2) nature reserve contains over 2,000 feet (610 m) of beaches, picnic areas, a 2-kilometre (6,600 ft) trail along the edge of Big Creek Marsh. Holiday Beach is considered a premiere spot to view the fall migration of raptors (birds of prey). A 'Festival of Hawks' event takes place in September.[20]

BobLo Island, which has been developed into a 240-acre private residential community, also has white sand beaches, full-service marina, nature trails, the BobLo Island Beach House Restaurant, Captain Bob‘s Island Ice Cream and Coffee Cabin and South Beach Water Sports. BobLo is accessible via a 10-minute private ferry ride, which runs every 20 minutes, 365 days per year.[21]

Economy Edit

Amherstburg is a town of trade and services to support regional agriculture. It has also become known for several wineries in the area. Amherstburg Farmers' Market is open every Saturday, from 8:30am to 3:30pm. The Farmer's Market is located at the end of Howard Avenue near County Rd 20.

Amherstburg also has a high proportion of retirement residences and second homes.

Local industry includes Diageo, a whiskey bottling plant for the Crown Royal Canadian whiskey, Windsor Mold's Precision Plastics, one of Ontario's largest full-service suppliers of industrial plastics and thermoplastic, and Honeywell Performance Materials and Technology. Marathon Oil has a coke storage site near the river.

Chemical plant history Edit

The production at the Honeywell plant of hydrofluoric acid (HF) was suspended in October 2013 in favour of a plant in Geismar, Louisiana.[22][23][24] The Honeywell plant is used in the production of fuels, refrigerants, and other materials.[25] HF is a precursor to numerous pharmaceuticals, as well as being used to produce Teflon, fluoropolymers and fluorocarbons. Because of its highly corrosive nature, HF is also used to dissolve glass, in glass etching and frosting, and is used in quartz purification, chemical milling, steel pickling and cleaning silicon wafers. It is produced by treating the mineral fluorite with sulfuric acid, which produces hydrogen fluoride and calcium sulfate. The plant, which is located at 395 Front Rd, North, had previously suspended its operations between 1992 and 1996. There is hope locally that production will resume at some future time.[23]

The plant's gypsum pond was identified in 2008 as the source of high levels of arsenic pollution in the area, which have been a provincial Ministry of the Environment concern since 2006.[26]

Honeywell now owns the adjacent Brunner Mond chemical plant and soda ash settling basins site, whose former owners, General Chemical Industrial Products, declared bankruptcy in 2005.[23][27][28] This site was used since 1920 to manufacture calcium chloride and other chemicals, which were shipped from a deep water port on the Detroit River.[27] The site has been since April 2012 the subject of remediation work, supervised by CH2M Hill.[27]

The plant was once part of Allied Chemical, which retained it when it sold the soda ash and calcium chloride operations and Amherst Quarries to General Chemical. The plant is composed of three separate parcels connected through rights of way and easements. In 1999, Allied Signal merged with the much smaller Honeywell Inc. but chose to carry on the newly expanded corporation under the Honeywell name.

Transportation Edit

In September 2022, Transit Windsor began a providing service between Amherstburg and Windsor (the nearest local metropolis), on a two-year pilot project.

Commercial rail service is provided through Essex Terminal Railway, which operates a 35 km line to Windsor.

The former Michigan Central Railway/CASO railway linking Amherstburg to Essex was converted into the Cypher Systems Group Greenway rail trail in stages beginning in 2007, with the two stream bridges being rehabilitated for public use again in 2017.

Small boats are welcome to call at any one of three local marinas that serve Lake Erie and the Detroit River.

Amherstburg Ferry Company operates private ferry service to Bob-Lo Island community. The ferry service once operated MS Windmill Point, a car ferry acquired in 1960s after the Ogdensburg–Prescott Ferry service closed following the opening of the Ogdensburg–Prescott International Bridge.[29] In July 2020, the Amherstburg Ferry Company acquired the Daldean Ferry which had been operating on the St. Clair River between since 1951.[30]

Sports Edit

Amherstburg is home to the following competitive sports teams:

  • Amherstburg Admirals Jr. C Hockey
  • Amherstburg Stars Minor Hockey
  • Amherstburg Cardinals Baseball
  • Amherstburg Timberwolves Football
  • North Star High School Wolves (various Men's and Women's sports teams)

The Amherstburg North Stars Midget "B" hockey team were winners of the 1976 OMHA playdowns and winners of the town's first-ever OMHA All-Ontario title for any age group.

The Amherstburg North Stars Juvenile "BB" hockey team were the winners of the 1977 OMHA playdowns and winners of the town's first-ever OMHA All-Ontario title for that age group.

The Amherstburg Stars Midget "A" hockey team were winners of the 2010 and 2011 OMHA playdowns and winners of the town's first-ever OHF title.

Festivals Edit

In the first week of every August, Amherstburg holds a heritage festival, consisting of activities at several locations around town. At Fort Malden, re-enactors depict eras ranging from the Roman Empire to the Second World War, establishing camps and performing battle demonstrations.

Since 2006, Amherstburg has held an annual Shores of Erie Wine Festival. As of 2017, the event has been cancelled indefinitely after a liquor breach fine and the death of a teenager in 2014.[31]

Amherstburg also celebrates Canada Day with a yearly fireworks display and a day of family activities.

Art by the River (established in 1967), is an annual two-day arts and craft festival that takes place the weekend before Labour Day weekend on the grounds of the Fort Malden National Historic Site.

Other festivities include:

  • Spring Wine N' Hop (May)
  • Beef In the Burg Barbecue (June)
  • Firefighters "J Wimpy" Volleyball Tournament (June)
  • Open Streets Amherstburg (Fridays at 3pm - Sundays at 3pm, June-September)
  • Canada Day Celebrations/Ice Cream Festival (July 1)
  • Gone Crazy Car Show (July)
  • Ribfest (July)
  • The Uncommon Festival (August)
  • Woofa Roo Pet Festival (August)
  • Cancer Walk-a-thon (October)
  • Christmas Parade (Late November)
  • River Lights (November through December)
  • Amherstburg Christmas Pub Crawl (December)

Climate Edit

Climate data for Amherstburg (1981−2010)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 15.0
(59.0)
19.0
(66.2)
24.5
(76.1)
30.0
(86.0)
33.0
(91.4)
36.0
(96.8)
38.0
(100.4)
37.0
(98.6)
34.0
(93.2)
28.5
(83.3)
23.0
(73.4)
18.0
(64.4)
38.0
(100.4)
Average high °C (°F) 0.5
(32.9)
2.1
(35.8)
7.1
(44.8)
14.2
(57.6)
20.5
(68.9)
26.1
(79.0)
28.5
(83.3)
27.4
(81.3)
23.3
(73.9)
15.9
(60.6)
8.7
(47.7)
2.3
(36.1)
14.7
(58.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) −3.0
(26.6)
−1.8
(28.8)
2.3
(36.1)
8.9
(48.0)
15.0
(59.0)
20.8
(69.4)
23.2
(73.8)
22.3
(72.1)
18.1
(64.6)
11.3
(52.3)
5.1
(41.2)
−1.0
(30.2)
10.1
(50.2)
Average low °C (°F) −6.5
(20.3)
−5.7
(21.7)
−2.4
(27.7)
3.5
(38.3)
9.4
(48.9)
15.4
(59.7)
17.9
(64.2)
17.3
(63.1)
12.9
(55.2)
6.6
(43.9)
1.3
(34.3)
−4.2
(24.4)
5.5
(41.9)
Record low °C (°F) −28
(−18)
−22.5
(−8.5)
−20.5
(−4.9)
−8
(18)
−2.0
(28.4)
5.0
(41.0)
8.0
(46.4)
8.0
(46.4)
1.0
(33.8)
−5
(23)
−10.5
(13.1)
−22.5
(−8.5)
−28
(−18)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 66.2
(2.61)
54.9
(2.16)
62.5
(2.46)
89.4
(3.52)
96.8
(3.81)
79.6
(3.13)
81.2
(3.20)
81.9
(3.22)
85.6
(3.37)
74.2
(2.92)
71.1
(2.80)
62.7
(2.47)
906.0
(35.67)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 40.0
(1.57)
38.1
(1.50)
46.7
(1.84)
86.1
(3.39)
96.8
(3.81)
79.6
(3.13)
81.2
(3.20)
81.9
(3.22)
85.6
(3.37)
73.8
(2.91)
68.1
(2.68)
44.9
(1.77)
822.7
(32.39)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 26.2
(10.3)
16.7
(6.6)
15.9
(6.3)
3.3
(1.3)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.0
(0.0)
0.4
(0.2)
3.0
(1.2)
17.8
(7.0)
83.3
(32.8)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 12.0 9.1 11.7 13.6 12.8 10.1 10.5 10.0 9.2 10.4 11.8 12.4 133.5
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 6.6 5.5 8.8 12.8 12.8 10.1 10.5 10.0 9.2 10.4 10.7 7.8 115.1
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 6.6 4.6 4.1 1.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.16 1.4 5.8 24.3
Source: Environment Canada[32]

Demographics Edit

Historical populations
YearPop.±%
1841985—    
18711,936+96.5%
18812,672+38.0%
18912,279−14.7%
19012,222−2.5%
19112,560+15.2%
19212,769+8.2%
19312,759−0.4%
19412,853+3.4%
19513,638+27.5%
19564,099+12.7%
19614,452+8.6%
19715,169+16.1%
19815,685+10.0%
19918,921+56.9%
199619,273+116.0%
200120,339+5.5%
200621,748+6.9%
201121,556−0.9%
201621,936+1.8%
202123,524+7.2%
[33]

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Amherstburg had a population of 23,524 living in 9,193 of its 9,548 total private dwellings, a change of 7.2% from its 2016 population of 21,936. With a land area of 183.76 km2 (70.95 sq mi), it had a population density of 128.0/km2 (331.6/sq mi) in 2021.[34]

Canada census – Amherstburg community profile
202120162011
Population23,524 (+7.2% from 2016)21,936 (1.8% from 2011)21,556 (-0.9% from 2006)
Land area183.76 km2 (70.95 sq mi)185.61 km2 (71.66 sq mi)185.68 km2 (71.69 sq mi)
Population density128/km2 (330/sq mi)118.2/km2 (306/sq mi)116.1/km2 (301/sq mi)
Median age45.6 (M: 44.4, F: 46.4)42.2 (M: , F: )42.2 (M: 41.6, F: 42.8)
Private dwellings9,190 (total)  8951 (total)  8600 (total) 
Median household income
References: 2021[35] 2016[36] 2011[37] earlier[38][39]

Population trend for former municipalities:[40]

  • Population in 2001: 20,339
    • Amherstburg (former town): 10,822
    • Anderdon (former township): 6331
    • Malden (former township): 3186
  • Population total in 1996: 19,273
    • Amherstburg (town): 10,245
    • Anderdon (township): 5730
    • Malden (township): 3298
  • Population total in 1991: 17,577
    • Amherstburg (town): 8921
    • Anderdon (township): 5502
    • Malden (township): 3155

Notable people Edit

See also Edit

References Edit

  1. ^ Statistics Canada (April 26, 2022). "Amherstburg Census Profile". 2021 Census of Population. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  2. ^ Statistics Canada (April 27, 2022). "Amherstburg (Population Centre) Census Profile". 2021 Census of Population. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  3. ^ Statistics Canada (April 26, 2022). "Amherstburg Census Profile". 2021 Census of Population. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  4. ^ Statistics Canada (April 27, 2022). "Amherstburg (Population Centre) Census Profile". 2021 Census of Population. Retrieved June 21, 2022.
  5. ^ Jack D. Cécillon, Prayers, Petitions, and Protests: The Catholic Church and the Ontario Schools Crisis in the Windsor Border Region, 1910-1928, McGill-Queen's University Press, 2013, Chap 1: "Early Struggles for Bilingual Schools and the French Language in the Windsor Border Region", in pp. 16-41
  6. ^ Tobin, Jacqueline L. From Midnight to Dawn: The Last Tracks of the Underground Railroad. Anchor, 2008. p200-209
  7. ^ "Uncle Tom's Cabin". Liberal Studies Guides. Institute for Liberal Studies. Retrieved August 15, 2019.
  8. ^ The Province of Ontario Gazetteer and Directory. H. McEvoy, Editor and Compiler, Toronto : Robertson & Cook, Publishers, 1869
  9. ^ "What's in a name? Questions raised about Amherstburg namesake's history with Indigenous people". CBC News. September 14, 2017. Retrieved February 1, 2018.
  10. ^ "M 3.4 - 2km E of Amherstburg, Canada". US Geological Survey. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  11. ^ Ainsworth, Amber (April 19, 2018). "Metro Detroit shakes after 3.6 magnitude earthquake hits Canada". ClickOnDetroit. Graham Media Group. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  12. ^ Ainsworth, Amber (April 19, 2018). "Canadian earthquake that rocked Metro Detroit is most significant in region since 2015 quakes". ClickOnDetroit.com. Graham Media Group. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  13. ^ Bacon, Gord (April 19, 2018). "Amherstburg Mayor Says Earthquake Sounded Like Something Exploded". AM800 CKLW. Bell Media. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  14. ^ "3.6 magnitude earthquake hits Amherstburg Ont., felt across Windsor-Essex". CBC News. April 19, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  15. ^ "No damage or injuries reported after minor earthquake hit southwestern Ontario". CTV News. The Canadian Press. April 19, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  16. ^ Hill, Sharon (January 2, 2019). "Windsor police officially take over Amherstburg policing". The Windsor Star. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
  17. ^ ""Bellevue" 1816". OntarioPlaques.com. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  18. ^ "The Gibson Gallery". WorldWeb.com. Retrieved April 15, 2011.
  19. ^ "Amherstburg Historic Sites & Interpretive Centres". WorldWeb.com. Retrieved April 15, 2011.
  20. ^ "Festival of Hawks 2019 | Holiday Beach". Eyes on Windsor. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  21. ^ "In the Spotlight // Boblo Island – Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce". amherstburgchamber.com. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
  22. ^ "Honeywell suspends Amherstburg operations, lays off 75". cbc.ca. CBC News. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  23. ^ a b c "Honeywell suspends operations in Amherstburg". The Windsor Star. October 21, 2013. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  24. ^ "Honeywell Plans $208 Million Expansion At Its Four Louisiana Production Plants - Area Development". areadevelopment.com. July 15, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  25. ^ . rivertowntimes.com. October 23, 2013. Archived from the original on May 6, 2014.
  26. ^ , Canada.com, February 21, 2008
  27. ^ a b c Daily Commercial News: "Amherstburg, Ontario chemical plant set to come down piece by piece," April 26, 2012 May 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  28. ^ "Remediation of Amherstburg’s former General Chemical plant on schedule" April 29, 2013 May 6, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  29. ^ "Bridge or Ferry? > Thousand Islands Life Magazine > Thousand Islands Life Magazine All Archives". www.thousandislandslife.com. Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  30. ^ Romphf, Jake (July 8, 2020). "Popular family-run Sombra ferry sold over two years after causeway damaged by ice". Sarnia Observer. Postmedia Network. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  31. ^ "Shores of Erie Wine Festival finished after $66K liquor breach fine and teen death | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved August 15, 2018.
  32. ^ "Amherstburg". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment Canada. October 31, 2011. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
  33. ^ "Population. Volume 1. General characteristics, households and families". Dominion Bureau of Statistics. 1956. Retrieved November 21, 2020.
  34. ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Ontario". Statistics Canada. February 9, 2022. Retrieved March 30, 2022.
  35. ^ "2021 Community Profiles". 2021 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. February 4, 2022. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
  36. ^ "2016 Community Profiles". 2016 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. August 12, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2017.
  37. ^ "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. March 21, 2019. Retrieved August 8, 2012.
  38. ^ "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. August 20, 2019.
  39. ^ "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian Census. Statistics Canada. July 18, 2021.
  40. ^ Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011, 2016 census

External links Edit

  • Official website

amherstburg, town, near, mouth, detroit, river, essex, county, ontario, canada, 1796, fort, malden, established, here, stimulating, growth, settlement, fort, been, designated, national, historic, site, town, lower, tier, town, sandwich, richmond, stflagsealsho. Amherstburg is a town near the mouth of the Detroit River in Essex County Ontario Canada In 1796 Fort Malden was established here stimulating growth in the settlement The fort has been designated as a National Historic Site AmherstburgTown lower tier Town of AmherstburgSandwich St at Richmond StFlagSealAmherstburgShow map of Essex CountyAmherstburgShow map of Southern OntarioCoordinates 42 06 N 83 05 W 42 100 N 83 083 W 42 100 83 083CountryCanadaProvinceOntarioCountyEssexGovernment MayorMichael Prue MPChris Lewis Conservative MPPAnthony Leardi PC Area 1 2 Land183 76 km2 70 95 sq mi Urban13 70 km2 5 29 sq mi Population 2021 3 4 Town lower tier 23 524 Density128 km2 330 sq mi Urban15 177Time zoneUTC 5 Eastern EST Summer DST UTC 4 EDT Forward sortation areaN9VArea codes519 and 226Websitewww amherstburg caDalhousie St between Murray and Richmond Sts Main Street Amherstburg 1865 The town is approximately 25 kilometres 16 mi south of the U S city of Detroit Michigan facing Wyandotte Grosse Ile Township Brownstown Charter Township Trenton and Gibraltar Michigan It is part of the Windsor census metropolitan area Contents 1 Communities 2 History 3 Education 4 Tourist attractions 5 Economy 5 1 Chemical plant history 6 Transportation 7 Sports 8 Festivals 9 Climate 10 Demographics 11 Notable people 12 See also 13 References 14 External linksCommunities EditThe town of Amherstburg comprises a number of villages and hamlets including the following communities Amherst Point Bar Point Busy Bee Corners Edgewater Beach Erieview Beach Glen Eden Lake Erie Country Club Lakewood Beach Malden Centre McGregor partially River Canard partially Sunset Beach Willow Beach Willowood Golfview Kingsbridge Pointe West Auld Gordon Loiselleville North Malden Quarries Southwick Splitlog Good Child Beach The Meadows amp Boblo IslandHistory EditFrench colonists had settled along what became the Canadian side of the Detroit River during the colonial era establishing small farms The Petite Cote settlement was founded along the river to the north In 1796 after losing the Thirteen Colonies following the American Revolutionary War the British established Fort Malden as a military fort overlooking the river s mouth at Lake Erie It was occupied as a garrison This stimulated development in the area as did the Crown granting land in Upper Canada to Loyalists now known as United Empire Loyalists in compensation for losses in the Thirteen Colonies or as payment for service in the military during the war nbsp Park House Museum Amherstburg Ontario c 1796 nbsp Amherstburg Gordon House 1798 nbsp Belle Vue c 1816The Crown also wanted to increase population and development in Upper Canada The new settlers built many of their houses in the French style of a century before giving the new town a historic character French speaking colonists also settled here some of whom were descendants of soldiers and traders associated with Fort Detroit or other early colonists They were known as Fort Detroit French in contrast to later migrants of the 19th century from Quebec who became known as Canadian French 5 St Jean was their Catholic church During the days of the Underground Railroad before the American Civil War refugee African American slaves often crossed the Detroit river to escape to freedom in Canada after the Crown abolished slavery Although Michigan was a free state slavecatchers went to Detroit trying to capture slaves and take them to owners for bounty Detroit abolitionists William Lambert and especially George DeBaptiste were key to helping the slaves escape DeBaptiste owned a lake steamboat that he used to offload refugees in town while docked ostensibly to load lumber 6 They used Fort Malden as one of several entry points to Canada The town is mentioned in Uncle Tom s Cabin as the entry point of George and Eliza after escaping from slavery in the United States 7 By 1869 the town of Amherstburg in the Township of Malden County of Essex had a population of 2 500 When the fort was no longer needed for military purposes the government adapted it for use as a provincial lunatic asylum Its main building was later used as a Port of Entry Money Order office Post Office amp savings bank 8 Amherstburg was incorporated as a town in 1878 The town is named after Jeffery Amherst 1st Baron Amherst commander of the British forces and first British Governor General of the Province of Quebec 1760 9 In 1998 The Town of Amherstburg absorbed the neighbouring Township of Anderdon to its northeast and Township of Malden to its southeast to form a larger Town of Amherstburg At 20 01 Eastern Daylight Time on April 19 2018 a magnitude 3 6 earthquake with a depth of 7 8 kilometres 4 8 mi occurred in Amherstburg between the main portion of town and McGregor No damage was reported but the 30 second shaking was felt in Windsor Downtown Detroit and the Downriver communities across the river such as Grosse Ile Michigan Some minor shaking was felt as far away as Toledo Ohio along Lake Erie and Ann Arbor in the interior of Michigan 10 11 12 13 14 15 nbsp Amherstburg Police Force showing Chief Addison and Chief Detective Renaud ca 1912 The Amherstburg Police Service was dissolved at the end of 2018 with its officers and responsibilities transferred to a detachment of the Windsor Police Service 16 Education EditThe local public high school in Amherstburg is North Star High School Up until 2022 the high school was General Amherst High School named after Jeffrey Amherst 1st Baron Amherst Although North Star High School is located in the town some youth residents choose to attend St Thomas of Villanova Catholic Secondary School located near the neighbourhood of River Canard French speaking students in Amherstburg may also attend Ecole Secondaire E J Lajeunesse located in Windsor Ontario Tourist attractions EditAmherstburg is home to several tourist attractions including Fort Malden and the Amherstburg Freedom Museum formerly the North American Black Historical Museum This explores the history of African American refugees in western Ontario who sought freedom from slavery and made their homes here An Ontario Historical Plaque was erected in Amherstburg by the province to commemorate Bellevue House Built c 1816 19 it was the home of Catherine Reynolds a landscape painter and her brother Robert Reynolds 17 Additional tourist attractions include the Park House Museum and King s Navy Yard Park both of which are located in the heart of old Amherstburg The Gibson Gallery is located in a former Michigan Central Railroad Station c 1896 which has been fully restored The gallery operates year round featuring exhibits by local artists the permanent collection of the Art Gallery of Windsor travelling exhibits from Ontario museums and galleries and student art photography exhibits A restored Essex Terminal railway caboose is operated as a railway museum 18 Gordon House was built in 1798 as a residence overlooking the Detroit River Since being restored it houses a Marine exhibit 19 nbsp Postcard depicting the Old Eliott Home Amherstburg Ontario ca 1910 The Holiday Beach Conservation Area is one of the best fall birding sites in North America for viewing migratory birds The 546 acre 2 21 km2 nature reserve contains over 2 000 feet 610 m of beaches picnic areas a 2 kilometre 6 600 ft trail along the edge of Big Creek Marsh Holiday Beach is considered a premiere spot to view the fall migration of raptors birds of prey A Festival of Hawks event takes place in September 20 BobLo Island which has been developed into a 240 acre private residential community also has white sand beaches full service marina nature trails the BobLo Island Beach House Restaurant Captain Bob s Island Ice Cream and Coffee Cabin and South Beach Water Sports BobLo is accessible via a 10 minute private ferry ride which runs every 20 minutes 365 days per year 21 Economy EditAmherstburg is a town of trade and services to support regional agriculture It has also become known for several wineries in the area Amherstburg Farmers Market is open every Saturday from 8 30am to 3 30pm The Farmer s Market is located at the end of Howard Avenue near County Rd 20 Amherstburg also has a high proportion of retirement residences and second homes Local industry includes Diageo a whiskey bottling plant for the Crown Royal Canadian whiskey Windsor Mold s Precision Plastics one of Ontario s largest full service suppliers of industrial plastics and thermoplastic and Honeywell Performance Materials and Technology Marathon Oil has a coke storage site near the river Chemical plant history Edit The production at the Honeywell plant of hydrofluoric acid HF was suspended in October 2013 in favour of a plant in Geismar Louisiana 22 23 24 The Honeywell plant is used in the production of fuels refrigerants and other materials 25 HF is a precursor to numerous pharmaceuticals as well as being used to produce Teflon fluoropolymers and fluorocarbons Because of its highly corrosive nature HF is also used to dissolve glass in glass etching and frosting and is used in quartz purification chemical milling steel pickling and cleaning silicon wafers It is produced by treating the mineral fluorite with sulfuric acid which produces hydrogen fluoride and calcium sulfate The plant which is located at 395 Front Rd North had previously suspended its operations between 1992 and 1996 There is hope locally that production will resume at some future time 23 The plant s gypsum pond was identified in 2008 as the source of high levels of arsenic pollution in the area which have been a provincial Ministry of the Environment concern since 2006 26 Honeywell now owns the adjacent Brunner Mond chemical plant and soda ash settling basins site whose former owners General Chemical Industrial Products declared bankruptcy in 2005 23 27 28 This site was used since 1920 to manufacture calcium chloride and other chemicals which were shipped from a deep water port on the Detroit River 27 The site has been since April 2012 the subject of remediation work supervised by CH2M Hill 27 The plant was once part of Allied Chemical which retained it when it sold the soda ash and calcium chloride operations and Amherst Quarries to General Chemical The plant is composed of three separate parcels connected through rights of way and easements In 1999 Allied Signal merged with the much smaller Honeywell Inc but chose to carry on the newly expanded corporation under the Honeywell name Transportation EditIn September 2022 Transit Windsor began a providing service between Amherstburg and Windsor the nearest local metropolis on a two year pilot project Commercial rail service is provided through Essex Terminal Railway which operates a 35 km line to Windsor The former Michigan Central Railway CASO railway linking Amherstburg to Essex was converted into the Cypher Systems Group Greenway rail trail in stages beginning in 2007 with the two stream bridges being rehabilitated for public use again in 2017 Small boats are welcome to call at any one of three local marinas that serve Lake Erie and the Detroit River Amherstburg Ferry Company operates private ferry service to Bob Lo Island community The ferry service once operated MS Windmill Point a car ferry acquired in 1960s after the Ogdensburg Prescott Ferry service closed following the opening of the Ogdensburg Prescott International Bridge 29 In July 2020 the Amherstburg Ferry Company acquired the Daldean Ferry which had been operating on the St Clair River between since 1951 30 Sports EditAmherstburg is home to the following competitive sports teams Amherstburg Admirals Jr C Hockey Amherstburg Stars Minor Hockey Amherstburg Cardinals Baseball Amherstburg Timberwolves Football North Star High School Wolves various Men s and Women s sports teams The Amherstburg North Stars Midget B hockey team were winners of the 1976 OMHA playdowns and winners of the town s first ever OMHA All Ontario title for any age group The Amherstburg North Stars Juvenile BB hockey team were the winners of the 1977 OMHA playdowns and winners of the town s first ever OMHA All Ontario title for that age group The Amherstburg Stars Midget A hockey team were winners of the 2010 and 2011 OMHA playdowns and winners of the town s first ever OHF title Festivals EditIn the first week of every August Amherstburg holds a heritage festival consisting of activities at several locations around town At Fort Malden re enactors depict eras ranging from the Roman Empire to the Second World War establishing camps and performing battle demonstrations Since 2006 Amherstburg has held an annual Shores of Erie Wine Festival As of 2017 the event has been cancelled indefinitely after a liquor breach fine and the death of a teenager in 2014 31 Amherstburg also celebrates Canada Day with a yearly fireworks display and a day of family activities Art by the River established in 1967 is an annual two day arts and craft festival that takes place the weekend before Labour Day weekend on the grounds of the Fort Malden National Historic Site Other festivities include Spring Wine N Hop May Beef In the Burg Barbecue June Firefighters J Wimpy Volleyball Tournament June Open Streets Amherstburg Fridays at 3pm Sundays at 3pm June September Canada Day Celebrations Ice Cream Festival July 1 Gone Crazy Car Show July Ribfest July The Uncommon Festival August Woofa Roo Pet Festival August Cancer Walk a thon October Christmas Parade Late November River Lights November through December Amherstburg Christmas Pub Crawl December Climate EditClimate data for Amherstburg 1981 2010 Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec YearRecord high C F 15 0 59 0 19 0 66 2 24 5 76 1 30 0 86 0 33 0 91 4 36 0 96 8 38 0 100 4 37 0 98 6 34 0 93 2 28 5 83 3 23 0 73 4 18 0 64 4 38 0 100 4 Average high C F 0 5 32 9 2 1 35 8 7 1 44 8 14 2 57 6 20 5 68 9 26 1 79 0 28 5 83 3 27 4 81 3 23 3 73 9 15 9 60 6 8 7 47 7 2 3 36 1 14 7 58 5 Daily mean C F 3 0 26 6 1 8 28 8 2 3 36 1 8 9 48 0 15 0 59 0 20 8 69 4 23 2 73 8 22 3 72 1 18 1 64 6 11 3 52 3 5 1 41 2 1 0 30 2 10 1 50 2 Average low C F 6 5 20 3 5 7 21 7 2 4 27 7 3 5 38 3 9 4 48 9 15 4 59 7 17 9 64 2 17 3 63 1 12 9 55 2 6 6 43 9 1 3 34 3 4 2 24 4 5 5 41 9 Record low C F 28 18 22 5 8 5 20 5 4 9 8 18 2 0 28 4 5 0 41 0 8 0 46 4 8 0 46 4 1 0 33 8 5 23 10 5 13 1 22 5 8 5 28 18 Average precipitation mm inches 66 2 2 61 54 9 2 16 62 5 2 46 89 4 3 52 96 8 3 81 79 6 3 13 81 2 3 20 81 9 3 22 85 6 3 37 74 2 2 92 71 1 2 80 62 7 2 47 906 0 35 67 Average rainfall mm inches 40 0 1 57 38 1 1 50 46 7 1 84 86 1 3 39 96 8 3 81 79 6 3 13 81 2 3 20 81 9 3 22 85 6 3 37 73 8 2 91 68 1 2 68 44 9 1 77 822 7 32 39 Average snowfall cm inches 26 2 10 3 16 7 6 6 15 9 6 3 3 3 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 2 3 0 1 2 17 8 7 0 83 3 32 8 Average precipitation days 0 2 mm 12 0 9 1 11 7 13 6 12 8 10 1 10 5 10 0 9 2 10 4 11 8 12 4 133 5Average rainy days 0 2 mm 6 6 5 5 8 8 12 8 12 8 10 1 10 5 10 0 9 2 10 4 10 7 7 8 115 1Average snowy days 0 2 cm 6 6 4 6 4 1 1 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 1 4 5 8 24 3Source Environment Canada 32 Demographics EditHistorical populationsYearPop 1841985 18711 936 96 5 18812 672 38 0 18912 279 14 7 19012 222 2 5 19112 560 15 2 19212 769 8 2 19312 759 0 4 19412 853 3 4 19513 638 27 5 19564 099 12 7 19614 452 8 6 19715 169 16 1 19815 685 10 0 19918 921 56 9 199619 273 116 0 200120 339 5 5 200621 748 6 9 201121 556 0 9 201621 936 1 8 202123 524 7 2 33 In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada Amherstburg had a population of 23 524 living in 9 193 of its 9 548 total private dwellings a change of 7 2 from its 2016 population of 21 936 With a land area of 183 76 km2 70 95 sq mi it had a population density of 128 0 km2 331 6 sq mi in 2021 34 Canada census Amherstburg community profile 202120162011Population23 524 7 2 from 2016 21 936 1 8 from 2011 21 556 0 9 from 2006 Land area183 76 km2 70 95 sq mi 185 61 km2 71 66 sq mi 185 68 km2 71 69 sq mi Population density128 km2 330 sq mi 118 2 km2 306 sq mi 116 1 km2 301 sq mi Median age45 6 M 44 4 F 46 4 42 2 M F 42 2 M 41 6 F 42 8 Private dwellings9 190 total 8951 total 8600 total Median household incomeReferences 2021 35 2016 36 2011 37 earlier 38 39 Population trend for former municipalities 40 Population in 2001 20 339 Amherstburg former town 10 822 Anderdon former township 6331 Malden former township 3186 Population total in 1996 19 273 Amherstburg town 10 245 Anderdon township 5730 Malden township 3298 Population total in 1991 17 577 Amherstburg town 8921 Anderdon township 5502 Malden township 3155Notable people EditSally Ainse Oneida diplomat and fur trader Shelton Brooks songwriter composer Seth Bullock Wild West sheriff hardware store owner and U S Marshal Robert T Burton early Mormon leader and Utah pioneer born in Amherstburg Jay Nig Clarke Major League Baseball player Norman Hackett actor born in Amherstburg Terry Jones racing driver Malcolm Knight economist and financier Henry William McKenny politician Liberal member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta 1905 1917 Richard Peddie former President and CEO of Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment John Richardson military officer and author Anne M Squire 31st Moderator of the United Church of Canada Wesley Weber counterfeiter Kevin Westgarth Stanley Cup Champion and former NHL player Eugene Whelan politician Federal Minister of Agriculture born in Anderdon TownshipSee also EditList of municipalities in Ontario List of townships in OntarioReferences Edit Statistics Canada April 26 2022 Amherstburg Census Profile 2021 Census of Population Retrieved June 21 2022 Statistics Canada April 27 2022 Amherstburg Population Centre Census Profile 2021 Census of Population Retrieved June 21 2022 Statistics Canada April 26 2022 Amherstburg Census Profile 2021 Census of Population Retrieved June 21 2022 Statistics Canada April 27 2022 Amherstburg Population Centre Census Profile 2021 Census of Population Retrieved June 21 2022 Jack D Cecillon Prayers Petitions and Protests The Catholic Church and the Ontario Schools Crisis in the Windsor Border Region 1910 1928 McGill Queen s University Press 2013 Chap 1 Early Struggles for Bilingual Schools and the French Language in the Windsor Border Region in pp 16 41 Tobin Jacqueline L From Midnight to Dawn The Last Tracks of the Underground Railroad Anchor 2008 p200 209 Uncle Tom s Cabin Liberal Studies Guides Institute for Liberal Studies Retrieved August 15 2019 The Province of Ontario Gazetteer and Directory H McEvoy Editor and Compiler Toronto Robertson amp Cook Publishers 1869 What s in a name Questions raised about Amherstburg namesake s history with Indigenous people CBC News September 14 2017 Retrieved February 1 2018 M 3 4 2km E of Amherstburg Canada US Geological Survey Retrieved November 25 2018 Ainsworth Amber April 19 2018 Metro Detroit shakes after 3 6 magnitude earthquake hits Canada ClickOnDetroit Graham Media Group Retrieved November 25 2018 Ainsworth Amber April 19 2018 Canadian earthquake that rocked Metro Detroit is most significant in region since 2015 quakes ClickOnDetroit com Graham Media Group Retrieved November 25 2018 Bacon Gord April 19 2018 Amherstburg Mayor Says Earthquake Sounded Like Something Exploded AM800 CKLW Bell Media Retrieved November 25 2018 3 6 magnitude earthquake hits Amherstburg Ont felt across Windsor Essex CBC News April 19 2018 Retrieved November 25 2018 No damage or injuries reported after minor earthquake hit southwestern Ontario CTV News The Canadian Press April 19 2018 Retrieved November 25 2018 Hill Sharon January 2 2019 Windsor police officially take over Amherstburg policing The Windsor Star Retrieved January 2 2020 Bellevue 1816 OntarioPlaques com Retrieved December 9 2017 The Gibson Gallery WorldWeb com Retrieved April 15 2011 Amherstburg Historic Sites amp Interpretive Centres WorldWeb com Retrieved April 15 2011 Festival of Hawks 2019 Holiday Beach Eyes on Windsor Retrieved July 2 2019 In the Spotlight Boblo Island Amherstburg Chamber of Commerce amherstburgchamber com Retrieved July 2 2019 Honeywell suspends Amherstburg operations lays off 75 cbc ca CBC News Retrieved April 10 2018 a b c Honeywell suspends operations in Amherstburg The Windsor Star October 21 2013 Retrieved November 25 2018 Honeywell Plans 208 Million Expansion At Its Four Louisiana Production Plants Area Development areadevelopment com July 15 2013 Retrieved April 10 2018 Honeywell suspending HF production laying off 75 employees rivertowntimes com October 23 2013 Archived from the original on May 6 2014 Amherstburg arsenic levels shrinking residents told Canada com February 21 2008 a b c Daily Commercial News Amherstburg Ontario chemical plant set to come down piece by piece April 26 2012 Archived May 6 2014 at the Wayback Machine Remediation of Amherstburg s former General Chemical plant on schedule April 29 2013 Archived May 6 2014 at the Wayback Machine Bridge or Ferry gt Thousand Islands Life Magazine gt Thousand Islands Life Magazine All Archives www thousandislandslife com Retrieved April 10 2018 Romphf Jake July 8 2020 Popular family run Sombra ferry sold over two years after causeway damaged by ice Sarnia Observer Postmedia Network Retrieved November 21 2020 Shores of Erie Wine Festival finished after 66K liquor breach fine and teen death CBC News CBC Retrieved August 15 2018 Amherstburg Canadian Climate Normals 1981 2010 Environment Canada October 31 2011 Retrieved April 9 2014 Population Volume 1 General characteristics households and families Dominion Bureau of Statistics 1956 Retrieved November 21 2020 Population and dwelling counts Canada provinces and territories census divisions and census subdivisions municipalities Ontario Statistics Canada February 9 2022 Retrieved March 30 2022 2021 Community Profiles 2021 Canadian Census Statistics Canada February 4 2022 Retrieved April 27 2022 2016 Community Profiles 2016 Canadian Census Statistics Canada August 12 2021 Retrieved March 16 2017 2011 Community Profiles 2011 Canadian Census Statistics Canada March 21 2019 Retrieved August 8 2012 2006 Community Profiles 2006 Canadian Census Statistics Canada August 20 2019 2001 Community Profiles 2001 Canadian Census Statistics Canada July 18 2021 Statistics Canada 1996 2001 2006 2011 2016 censusExternal links EditOfficial website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Amherstburg amp oldid 1157702638, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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