The Rideau Waterway
Constructed 1826-32 by the British government for military purposes, but used principally for commerce, the Rideau waterway, together with the lower Ottawa River, was the first canalized route from Montreal to the Great Lakes. Although eastbound traffic continued to use the St. Lawrence, westbound traffic, including many thousands of immigrants, utilized the new route to avoid the hazards and delays of upstream navigation on that river. With the completion, in 1846, of the St. Lawrence canals, use of the Rideau as a commercial thoroughfare declined sharply. However, it remained vitally important to the region by providing its agriculture and industry with economic access to markets. In time the Rideau became one of Ontario's major recreational waterways.
Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board, Department of Public Records and Archives of Ontario.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.
Location. 44° 53.759′ N, 76° 1.38′ W. Marker is in Smiths Falls, Ontario, in Lanark County. Marker is at the intersection of Lombard Street and Aberdeen Avenue, on the left when
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Grant Amy (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); World War I Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Evergreen Avenue (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rideau Waterway / Voie navigable du Canal Rideau (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Water Works / Station de Production d'Eau Potable (about 120 meters away); Smiths Falls and the Dam / Smiths Falls et le Barrage (about 120 meters away); Centennial Park (about 120 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Smiths Falls.
Also see . . .
1. History of the Rideau Canal. (Submitted on November 1, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Visit the Rideau Canal. (Submitted on November 1, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Destination: Rideau Canal. (Submitted on November 1, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 1, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 109 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 1, 2019, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
