Discover the Loyalist Parkway
The Loyalist Parkway is a memorial to the settlers who remained loyal to the British Crown and fled extreme persecution during the American War of Independence.
Beginning in 1784 they endured famine, sickness and severe privation to found a nation. The Loyalist Parkway Association is dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the heritage and natural beauty of the route along which their first major road was built.
The Loyalist Parkway is also dedicated to educating Canadians and others about the roots of the nation of Canada.
The Parkway passes through four municipalities along its route. We invite you to explore the history as you travel through each of the four regions.
Loyalist Township
The County of Lennox and Addington in Eastern Ontario stretches from Lake Ontario to the rugged, rocky terrain of the Canadian Shield. From the United Empire Loyalist settlers to the American and European pioneers, the County has a rich past and offers you a chance to explore on your own among some of Canada’s oldest genealogical archives. Loyalist Township is located in the southernmost part of Lennox and Addington, on the shores of Lake Ontario, midway between Toronto and Ottawa.
County of Lennox & Addington
The County of Lennox and Addington in Eastern Ontario stretches from Lake Ontario to the rugged, rocky terrain of the Canadian Shield. The 2,777 square kilometre County is 130 kilometres long and is neighbour to Renfrew, Hastings, Prince Edward and Frontenac Counties. From the United Empire Loyalist settlers to the American and European pioneers, the County has a rich past and offers you a chance to explore on your own among some of Canada’s oldest genealogical archives.
Loyalist Township
Loyalist Township is located in the southernmost part of Lennox and Addington, on the shores of Lake Ontario, midway between Toronto and Ottawa. Straddling the 401 corridor and encompassing an area of 342.27 square kilometers (132.16 square miles), the Township consists of a variety of living environments including the fully serviced areas of Amherstview, Odessa, and Bath. Farms, countryside residences, recreational areas and a short ferry ride to Amherst Island create a community like no other. Other hamlets include Wilton, Millhaven, Stella, Violet, and Switzerville.
The area was originally known as Second Town because it was surveyed after Kingston Township, but was renamed in 1784 after Prince Ernest, the fifth son of King George III. Ernesttown (original spelling ) was founded by disbanded members of Edward Jessups Corp of Rangers and the 2nd Battalion of the King’s Royal Yorkers.
In 1998, Ernestown Township amalgamated with the Village of Bath and Amherst Island to become part of the municipality (township) of Loyalist Township.
The eastern end of the Loyalist Parkway (Highway #33) begins in the shadow of William Fairfield Sr.’s house ( c.1793 ) and the Loyalist Parkway gates in Amherstview. The gates were opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1984. The parkway continues along the Lake Ontario shoreline past the floating bridge to the hamlet of Millhaven, past Amherst Island to the Village of Bath ( original Village of Ernesttown ).
The Loyalist Township portion of the parkway ends a few kilometres out of Bath at the Conrad Huffman House, which was built in 1811 with 6 courses of brick on the front to withstand American cannon shot.
Greater Napanee
Greater Napanee is the county seat of Lennox and Addington County. It is located on the eastern end of the Bay of Quinte. Greater Napanee municipality was created by amalgamating the old Town of Napanee with the townships of Adolphustown, North and South Fredericksburgh, and Richmond in 1999.
Greater Napanee is the county seat of Lennox and Addington County. It is located on the eastern end of the Bay of Quinte. Greater Napanee municipality was created by amalgamating the old Town of Napanee with the townships of Adolphustown, North and South Fredericksburgh, and Richmond in 1999.
The first recorded settlement in the area of Greater Napanee is Ganneious, an Iroquois village, settled temporarily by the Oneida from approximately 1660 to 1690. The village was located on or near the Hay Bay area and is one of seven Iroquois villages settled on the northern shores of Lake Ontario in the 17th century. The exact location of the village has not been determined.
The townships Fredericksburgh and Adolphustown were settled by members of the King’s Rangers, 2nd Battalion of the King’s Royal Yorkers and Associated Loyalists starting in 1784. As in the case of Ernesttown, these townships are named after George III's sons Frederick and Adolphus. The first Loyalists settlers arrived at Adolphustown on June 16, 1784. Their landing spot and site of the first Loyalist cemetery in the area has been preserved by the United Empire Loyalist. Association of Canada.
The Greater Napanee portion of the parkway starts at the Gap Park ( site of an Algonquin settlement and near the first windmill built in Upper Canada ). The stretch of the road is dotted with numerous 18th and 19th Century homesteads, including the Hay Bay Church (c.1789) and United Empire Loyalist Heritage Centre & Park site of the first landing. The eastern portion of the parkway ends at the Glenora Ferry in sight of the Van Alstyne Mills at Glenora.
Prince Edward County
A visit to Prince Edward County is time well spent – No matter what the season is. The island culture thrives during the offseason with festivals, ice skating and ice fishing. Make it more memorable and pare it with excellent cuisine and wine from area wineries.
A visit to Prince Edward County is time well spent – no matter what the season is. The island culture thrives during the offseason with festivals, ice skating and ice fishing. Make it more memorable and pare it with excellent cuisine and wine from area wineries. Spend time antiquing, boutique shopping, watching local theatre or visiting one of the five museums. Wherever you end up, the view is awesome, the people are friendly and you’re always within arm’s reach of something amazing to sample.
On January 1, 1998, the Town of Picton, the villages of Bloomfield and Wellington, and the townships of Ameliasburgh, Athol, Hallowell, Hillier, North Marysburgh, Sophiasburgh, and South Marysburgh amalgamated to form a new city with the official legal name of Prince Edward County. Each of the former municipalities is now a ward.
Quinte West
Just a short drive from Toronto (1.5 hours) and Ottawa (2.5 hours), Quinte West is a popular destination for the many outdoor activities it offers in all four seasons. Quinte West also offers cultural festivals, events, and attractions that honour the unique heritage of the area -- both the people who first settled here and the industries that nurtured its growth.
Just a short drive from Toronto (1.5 hours) and Ottawa (2.5 hours), Quinte West is a popular destination for the many outdoor activities it offers in all four seasons. Quinte West also offers cultural festivals, events, and attractions that honour the unique heritage of the area -- both the people who first settled here and the industries that nurtured its growth.
Whether you're planning an activity-filled intinerary or a more relaxed getaway, Quinte West has what you're looking for. If you're just passing through, we hope you'll come again and get to know us better.
