Port Dover in Norfolk County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Fishing Years
Photographed By Tim Boyd, November 16, 2023
1. The Fishing Years Marker
For much of the twentieth century, Port Dover was the heart of Canada's freshwater fishing industry. The industry had already begun to grow by 1911 when William "Cap" Kolbe came from Eric, Pennsylvania to establish the town's first large scale fishery. At about the same time a number of experienced commercial fishermen were recruited from Great Britain and settled in Port Dover to help develop the industry. Other prominent local "fishing families" came to include the MacDonalds, Misners, Mummerys, Matthews, Murphys and others.
This stretch of the Lynn River was once lined on both sides with the net shanties, docks, and processing plants associated with these fisheries. Fishermen and shore workers maintained their boats, loaded and processed fish, made and mended nets and even built the boxes in which to ship their catches. By the 1970s Port Dover was home to the world's largest freshwater fishing fleet. In the following years commercial fishing operations gradually moved to the basin across from the pier.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.
Location. 42° 47.091′ N, 80° 11.906′ W. Marker is in Port Dover, Ontario, in Norfolk
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. “Midnight Herring” (a few steps from this marker); From Schooners to Steam Tugs (a few steps from this marker); My Kahlenberg Dream - Harry B. Barrett (within shouting distance of this marker); Kahlenberg Engine (within shouting distance of this marker); The Capture of Detroit / La Prise de Détroit (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Cliff Site National Historic Site (about 210 meters away); The Norfolk Tavern (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Railways (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Dover.
Also see . . . The Port Dover Harbour Museum.
The Port Dover Harbour Museum promotes and preserves the history of Port Dover, with focus on the community’s commercial fishing heritage along the north shore of Lake Erie.(Submitted on November 18, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)
Photographed By Tim Boyd, November 16, 2023
2. The Fishing Years Marker
Photographed By Tim Boyd, November 16, 2023
3. The Lynn River, Port Dover
1919
4. The Lynn River, Port Dover, 1919
Source: Toronto Public library
Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 18, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 106 times since then and 67 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 18, 2023, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
