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

Site of the Village of Kempenfelt

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2024

1. Site of the Village of Kempenfelt Marker

Inscription.
The Penetanguishene Road, surveyed by Samuel Wilmot, was cut through from Kempenfelt to Georgian Bay during the War of 1812, under supervision of “Tiger” Dunlop. Settlement along this road began in 1819. The Government reserved 300 acres here at its south end for a town. Known as the Village of Kempenfelt, it had a boat landing, log barracks, stores, tavern, brewery and brickyard.

In 1831 a petition was sent to Lieut.-Gov. Sir John Colborne, asking that Kempenfelt be chosen as the County Town. But two years later the Government purchased land at the present site of Barrie which became the County Town in 1837.

Erected 1976 by Simcoe County Historical Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers • War of 1812. A significant historical year for this entry is 1819.

Location. 44° 23.636′ N, 79° 38.999′ W. Marker is in Barrie, Ontario, in Simcoe County. It is at the intersection of Shanty Bay Road (County Road 20) and Penetanguishene Road, on the right when traveling west on Shanty Bay Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal

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address: 286 Shanty Bay Road, Barrie ON L4M 1E6, 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,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in 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 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Lost Village of Kempenfelt (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Early Settlement (approx. 2.2 kilometers away); The Ice Industry (approx. 2.2 kilometers away); Black Settlement in Oro Township / La Colonie Noire du Canton d'Oro (approx. 2.2 kilometers away); Andrew Frederick Hunter (approx. 2.8 kilometers away); The East End — 1900s (approx. 2.8 kilometers away); The East End — 1800s (approx. 2.8 kilometers away); Lakeview Dairy (approx. 2.8 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers

Marker detail: Village of Kempenfelt map — 1841 image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Village of Kempenfelt map — 1841

in Barrie.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Village of Kempenfelt

Also see . . . The village of Kempenfeldt (BarrieToday.com).

Excerpt: The village of Kempenfeldt (which included a 'd' in its original spelling) on the north shore of Kempenfelt Bay was the starting point of the old Penetanguishene Road. The British military had selected Penetanguishene as the site for its naval base in 1814 and determined a road was required from the military establishment to Kempenfelt Bay. Construction on Penetanguishene Road began late in 1814, its crew of soldiers led by Dr. William ‘Tiger’ Dunlop. Kempenfeldt was to be a military supply depot, with anticipated commercial growth in the surrounding area. And growth most certainly did follow, with the movement of settlers to Simcoe County. While Barrie only had two storage buildings in 1831, Kempenfeldt boasted four taverns, a general store, a brewery, a carpenter, a brick kiln, a wharf and a tailor as well as housing, including log barracks for military troops. Ferries to and from Kempenfeldt across the lake (or over the ice
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2024

3. Site of the Village of Kempenfelt Marker
The marker is located about 20 meters north of Shanty Bay Road and mounted on a chest-high boulder.
in the winter) to Holland Landing were part of the route for moving supplies, products and military personnel between the naval base and York.

(Submitted on November 19, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 29, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 19, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 216 times since then and 45 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 19, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.