Barrie in Simcoe County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Kempenfelt Kelly
| | Barrie Waterfront Heritage Trail | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2024
1. Kempenfelt Kelly Marker
Igopogo
A mysterious creature may live in the depths of Kempenfelt Bay, known to be the deepest part of Lake Simcoe. The scientific community calls it 'Igopogo' a legendary cryptozoological creature that is rumoured to dwell in Lake Simcoe. Sightings have been published in Lake Simcoe area newspapers since the mid-nineteenth century.
Mulcaster Wharf Sighting
The Northern Advance reported an appearance by the wharf at the foot of Mulcaster Street on May 3, 1900. Several boys fishing from the Mulcaster Street wharf saw a dark object in the water approaching them. As it came near, it lifted itself partly out of the water. The boys dropped their rods and bolted, attracting the attention of a passerby who followed them back to the scene.
Horse Head, Fan Tail
The creature lifted from the water a head like that of a horse, and flapped the surface from time to time with its huge fan like tail. Its length was not more than eight or ten feet. Some stones were thrown, but the sea creature took its time to finally sink beneath the surface and disappear in the bay. It was similar to a serpent seen at Raikes Point near Shanty Bay five
this page online
Barrie's Official Mascot
Sightings continued during the twentieth century in Lake Simcoe. To capture the imagination of local children, Barrie businessman Arch Brown commissioned a cartoon logo in 1967 that named the sea serpent as Kempenfelt Kelly, and became the official City of Barrie mascot in 1990. The legend continues to be celebrated in parkland around the waterfront today.
[photo & image captions]
Bathymetric map of Lake Simcoe showing depth contours in metres
Sea Serpent Sculpture, Heritage Park
Kempenfelt Kelly mascot in Centennial Park
Sea Serpent Climber, Minets Point Park
Erected by Barrie Waterfront Heritage Trail.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Parks & Recreational Areas • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Believe It or Not series list. A significant historical date for this entry is May 3, 1900.
Location. 44° 22.567′ N, 79° 41.265′ W. Marker is in Barrie, Ontario, in Simcoe County. It can be reached from Lakeshore Drive just north of Tiffin Street, on the right when traveling north. The
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 5, 2024
2. Kempenfelt Kelly Marker
Looking west along the Barrie Waterfront Heritage Trail.
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 Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Boats on the Bay (here, next to this marker); Steamboat J.C. Morrison (here, next to this marker); Steamboating on Lake Simcoe / La navigation ΰ vapeur sur le lac Simcoe (here, next to this marker); Allandale Railway Station (about 240 meters away, measured in a direct line); An Independent Village (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Train Town Kids (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Living in a Company Town (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Housing Shortages (approx. 0.3 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Barrie.
Also see . . . Kempenfelt Kelly: myth, real or simply just fun? (Barrie Today).
(by Shawn Gibson) Excerpt: Kempenfelt Kelly is the lesser known cousin of British Columbias Ogopogo in Okanagan Lake or the world famous Loch Ness Monster in Scotland. Not many have seen Kelly, or Igopogo as its sometimes referred to, but those who have describe it as having a stove-pipe neck with a head and face that slightly resembles a dog. One sighting has Kelly at a length of approximately 12 feet, but a couple sonar usages have a creature larger than some sightings have suggested. There have also been conflicting reports about whether the creature in the bay is serpentine in nature or more mammalian(Submitted on May 30, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on May 30, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 28, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 344 times since then and 99 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 29, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
