Penetanguishene in Simcoe County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Penetanguishene/Pénétanguishene

Penetanguishene (<i>marker east side • English</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 7, 2024

1. Penetanguishene (marker east side • English)

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

[English] The Attignawantan ("Bear Nation") of the Huron confederacy occupied the Penetanguishene peninsula prior to their dispersal in 1649 by the Iroquois. In 1793, Lieutenant-Governor Simcoe chose Penetanguishene as the terminus of a military route from Toronto. Construction of a naval base began in 1814. British troops were transferred here in 1828 when Drummond Island was returned to the United States. With them came families of French-Canadian voyageurs and Métis. George Gordon, Dédin Révol and Dr. David Mitchell were among the first settlers to build homes at Penetanguishene. The military and naval establishments stimulated the community's early economic growth; later, fishing and lumbering became important industries. In 1882, Penetanguishene was incorporated as a town.

[Français] Les Attignawantan (« nation de l'ours ») de la confédération huronne occupent la péninsule de Pénétanguishene avant d'être dispersés par les Iroquois en 1649. En 1793, le lieutenant-gouverneur Simcoe choisit Pénétanguishene comme destination d'une route militaire partant de Toronto.

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La construction d'une base navale commence en 1814. Des troupes britanniques sont transférées ici en 1828 lorsque l'île Drummond est rendue aux États-Unis. Des familles de voyageurs canadiennes-français et de Métis de l'île Drummond arrivent avec eux. George Gordon, Dédin Révol et le docteur David Mitchell sont parmi les premiers colons à construire leurs maisons à Pénétanguishene. L’établissement militaire et la base navale stimulent la croissance économique des premiers temps; plus tard, la pêche et l'exploitation forestière devinrent les industries importantes. Pénétanguishene devient une ville en 1882.

Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Recreation/Fondation du patrimoine ontarien, Ministère de la Culture, du Tourisme et des Loisirs.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.

Location. 44° 46.335′ N, 79° 56.229′ W. Marker is in Penetanguishene, Ontario, in Simcoe County. It is on Main Street just north of Brock Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is

Pénétanguishene (<i>marker west side • Français</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 7, 2024

2. Pénétanguishene (marker west side • Français)

located beside the sidewalk, in Penetanguishene Rotary Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Penetanguishene ON L9M 1S6, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Ontario Cottage Country

and specifically in Georgian Bay Country.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Penetanguishene Tercentenary Polar Sea Expedition (within shouting distance of this marker); “Bound Together” (Huron Wendat Canoe) / Étroitement liés (canot huron-wendat) (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Wendat (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Champlain in Ontario, 1615 (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); The Meeting / La rencontre (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Brûlé (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Métis (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Joseph Le Caron (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Penetanguishene.

Also see . . . Penetanguishene (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: In 1793, John Graves Simcoe, the first Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, visited the area and saw the location's potential as a Royal Navy naval base. He wanted to use the bay to shelter warships to protect Upper Canada, which had coasts on lakes Huron, Erie and Michigan opposite the Northwest Territory and New York State of the United States of America, from American military aggression and territorial expansion. The Penetanguishene Naval Yard was built by the Royal Navy in 1813. In
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 7, 2024

3. Penetanguishene/Pénétanguishene Marker
Looking west across Penetanguishene Rotary Park from Main Street.
1817, naval units from Michilimackinac and Schooner Town (near modern-day Wasaga Beach) were consolidated at the Penetanguishene Naval Yard. In 1828, the main British military establishment on the Upper Lakes moved from Drummond Island to Penetanguishene. In the 1840s, French-speaking families from Canada East (mainly from the area immediately east of Montreal), attracted by promises of cheap and fertile land, joined the French-speaking Drummond Island settlers already in the area. Many of Penetanguishene's families today are descended from the Québécois settlers who arrived in the 1800s, giving the town a marked bilingual nature.

(Submitted on November 4, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 196 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 4, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.