Bracebridge, Ontario

Bracebridge
—  Town  —
View of central Bracebridge.
Motto: The Heart of Muskoka
Bracebridge
Coordinates: 45°02′N 79°18′W
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
District	Muskoka
Incorporated	1875 (village)
Incorporated	1889 (town)
Government
• Mayor	Graydon Smith
• Governing Body	Bracebridge Town Council
• Federal riding	Parry Sound—Muskoka
• Prov. riding	Parry Sound—Muskoka
Area
• Land	625.66 km2 (241.57 sq mi)
Population (2011)
• Total	15,409
• Density	24.6/km2 (64/sq mi)
Time zone	EST (UTC−5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC−4)
Postal code FSA	P1L
Area code(s)	705
Website	www.bracebridge.ca

Bracebridge is a town and the seat of the Muskoka District Municipality in Ontario, Canada.

The town was built around a waterfall on the Muskoka River in the centre of town, and is known for its other nearby waterfalls (Wilson's Falls, High Falls, etc.). It was first incorporated in 1875. It was named after a book, Bracebridge Hall by Washington Irving, that the postmaster in charge of naming towns was reading at the time.^{[citation needed]} The same novel also provided the name for nearby Gravenhurst.^{[citation needed]}

The town is the seat of the district government, a centre of tourism for the Muskoka area, and home to several historical sites, such as the Inn at the Falls, Woodchester Villa, and the Silver Bridge, which joins Manitoba Street with Ecclestone Drive. The Silver Bridge was repaired in 2002. Bracebridge is also the home of the Muskoka Cottage Brewery.

Graydon Smith is the current mayor.

History

View down Manitoba Street in Bracebridge circa 1910

The character of the town of Bracebridge is shaped by its proximity to Lake Muskoka to which it is connected by 6 miles of the Muskoka River, and by the promise of abundant water power afforded by the great waterfall at the foot of the town. Early growth of the town occurred in proximity to the falls which powered the first factory. The arrival of the Grand Trunk Railway cemented the town's role as a transportation hub for the area.

Modern settlement of the town began in the 1860s, beginning at first with a few log huts. The Muskoka colonization road had been completed to the first falls on the north branch of the Muskoka River by 1862. Entrepreneurs began to take advantage of the area's water power. With the advent of steamship service on Lake Muskoka a few years later, Bracebridge prospered as the main distribution centre for the region.

By 1870 the village had a population of about 400, growing to reach a total of about 2,000 by the turn of the 20th century. The village was incorporated in 1875 and became a town under an Act of Parliament in 1889. In 1894 Bracebridge became the first town in Ontario to have its own hydro generating station.

The municipal boundaries of Bracebridge also encompass the smaller communities of Clear Lake, Falkenburg (ghost town), Falkenburg Station, Fraserburg, Germania, Lakewood, Matthiasville, Monsell (ghost town), Purbrook, Rocksborough, Springdale Park, Stoneleigh, Uffington and Vankoughnet.

Transportation

The Bracebridge Towne Express trolley, sponsored by Santa's Village, provides the town with local public transport. However, it only makes trips to Santa's Village on Sunday afternoons during the summer season.

The Bracebridge railway station receives service six times per week by the Ontario Northland Northlander line. Bracebridge also receives coach bus service departing from the Riverside Inn that takes passengers as far south as Toronto and as far North as North Bay. Bracebridge is the home and main hub of Muskoka Transport, a successful shipping and receiving company owned and operated by the Hammond family.

Education

Bracebridge is served by several elementary schools and two high schools: Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School, and Saint Dominic Catholic Secondary School. Public education is administered by the Trillium Lakelands District School Board, and Catholic education is administered by the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board.

Nipissing University and Georgian College have a shared satellite campus in the town. Both Georgian College and Nipissing University expanded their campuses in 2008. Georgian has moved into the town's former swimming pool/recreation centre, the "Centennial Centre" on Wellington Street. Georgian's grand opening date was September 11, 2007. Nipissing University opened its doors next to Georgian the following year for the 2008 semester. Nipissing University has also completed a multi-million dollar, on-campus expansion of its facilities by adding a 52-bed residence building. The residence also doubles as a hotel during the tourist busy summer months while school is out.

Demographics

Census	Population
1871	700
1891	1,419
1901	2,479
1911	2,776
1921	2,451
1931	2,436
1941	2,341
1951	2,684
1961	2,927
1971	6,903
1981	9,063
1991	12,308
2001	13,751
2006	15,652
2011	15,409

Sports

The town of Bracebridge built a state of the art Sportsplex in 2006 which contains a rock climbing wall, indoor track, eight-lane swimming pool and fitness studio.^{[citation needed]} The town partnered with the Muskoka Limberettes Gymnastics Club to create a gymnastics facility in the same building.^{[citation needed]} The Sportsplex is part of the same complex including the Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School and Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre.^{[citation needed]} Bracebridge also opened a new 3.75 Million dollar softball venue called Peake Fields at Verena Acres. This facility supports a Mens League, Women's League, and Minor Ball, as well as slow pitch. It was opened this summer on August 15. The Mens fastball League has been running for some 35 years, and has produced 4 Ontario Intermediate Fastball Championships, and 3 Canadian Championships, with all local players.

Attractions and venues

Bracebridge is the home of Santa's Village, a Christmas theme park, established in 1955. It was inspired by the town’s location at 45 degrees latitude, halfway between the equator and the North Pole. Bracebridge also contains Woodchester Villa, an unusual octagonal house.

Media

Bracebridge is served by the local radio station, CFBG 99.5 FM, a hot adult contemporary station that uses the on-air brand "Moose FM" owned by the Haliburton Broadcasting Group.^{[citation needed]} Local newspapers include Bracebridge Examiner, District Weekender, Muskoka Sun and Muskoka Advance.

The first newspaper in Bracebridge was the Northern Advocate begun in 1870 by Thomas McMurray. It was joined in 1872 by the Free Grant Gazette owned by E.F. Stephenson. The Advocate ceased publication in 1874 and was bought out by Stephenson. Competition resumed, however, in 1878 when Mr Gaffe and Mr Oaten founded the Muskoka Herald.

Notable people of Bracebridge

• Irvin "Ace" Bailey, Hockey Hall of Famer
• Patrick Boyer (born 1945), politician - born in Bracebridge
• Rene Caisse (born 1888), nurse, developed a cancer treatment, based on an Indian herbal remedy, which she name Essiac - born in Bracebridge
• Frank Carson, former NHL player
• Roger Crozier, former NHL hockey goalie
• Marty Gervais, writer, journalist, historian
• Molly Kiely, cartoonist
• Kris King, former NHL player
• Deric Ruttan, Canadian country music singer/songwriter
• Liisa Savijarvi, downhill skiier who competed at the 1984 Olympics
• Mike Greene, broadcast radio personality who got his start at Moose FM

External links

• Town of Bracebridge
• Town of Bracebridge portal