Public Works Department - the Township of Lanark Highlands

About the TownshipHistoryIn 1812, The British Government designated all of Lanark Countyas a potential landing point for European immigrant settlers.With the establishment of Perth as a military town in 1816,Lanark Township, Dalhousie Township and North SherbrookeTownship were opened for even greater settlement in 1820. Fromthe outset, Lanark Village was designated to be the chief localadministrative base for Northern Lanark. Lavant and Darlingwere also opened for settlement over the following 20 years,in order to accommodate the increasing number of immigrantsfrom the British Isles.The earliest settlers were unemployed Scots who left the overpopulatedareas of Glasgow and Lanarkshire, following theNapoleonic war. In 1820, approximately 400 families arrivedin Lanark Village, bringing with them skills in cotton weaving,carpentry, blacksmithing and shoemaking. A similar influxof Irish settlers arrived during the 1830’s and 1840’s. However,the growth of the area was somewhat impeded by the muddy,rocky terrain and steep slopes, which prevented easy travel. As aresult, many settlers opted to reside in Perth, unwilling to makethe dangerous trek to Northern Lanark.Of the settlers who did arrive in the Village, all males over 21years of age were granted 100 acres divided up using the traditionalgrid system - a grid which is still evident in the currentland use pattern and property boundaries. Although the intentionof the original settlers were to farm each parcel of land, it soonbecame apparent that the only lands that could be cultivatedwere those located in floodplains, along rivers or adjacent tolakes. Consequently, most settlers opted to perform timber-relatedactivities instead. Early industrial activity typically includedgrist mills, flour mills, pork-packing and tanning establishments- soon followed by the introduction of maple syrup operations,lumbering, saw mills, furniture activities and fishing.Since the original settling of the area, events of key historicalsignificance include:1857 - The Crotch Lake disaster caused a flood from Crotch Laketo the Ottawa River. Many of the bridges across the MississippiRiver were swept away, including all three in Dalhousie and onein North Sherbrooke Townships.The flood also washed away theCurrie’s grist mill at the head of Dalhousie Lake (one of the first tobe built and operated on the Mississippi River).1862 - The Village of Lanark officially separated from theTownship of Lanark.1883 - The Township of Lavant separates from the Township ofDalhousie and North Sherbrooke1917 - A fire destroyed the Clyde Woolen Mills - the areas largestindustry and employer.1919-1920 - The Hydro Electric Power Commission constructeda Hydro Plant at the High Falls, upstream from Dalhousie Lake.The construction employed over 200 men from the area.1959 - A catastrophic fire in the Village destroyed 43 buildings(including the Town Hall, the Library, Memorial Clock and LegionHall), leaving more than 100 people homeless, and caused$1.5 million in damage. It is a commonly held view that the firehad a profound psychological impact on the spirit of the peopleof Lanark, causing a temporary depression.1975 - Lavant Township amalgamates with Dalhousie and NorthNorth Sherbrooke Township to form the “Township of Lavant,Dalhousie and North Sherbrooke”.1997 - May 14 - Lavant Dalhousie and North SherbrookeTownship, Lanark Township and Lanark Village amalgamate toform North West Lanark.www.lanarkhighlands.ca Highland Voice 2011Did You Know???Lanark Highlands is the largest municipality in Lanark County.Lanark Highlands .................................................. 1033 SQ KMSTay Valley ............................................................... 554 SQ KMSMississippi Mills ..................................................... 500 SQ KMSDrummond/North Elmsley .................................... 365 SQ. KMSMontague .............................................................. 283 SQ KMSBeckwith ................................................................ 242 SQ KMSPerth ...................................................................... 10 SQ KMSCarleton Place ........................................................ 9 SQ KMSSQ KMS = Square Kilometers1997 - July 1 - North West Lanark Township and Darling Townshipamalgamate to form ‘THE TOWNSHIP OF LANARK HIGHLANDS”.1998 - An ice storm affecting much of Eastern Ontario andSouthern Quebec created a national emergency. Thanks to thegenerosity of people, businesses and municipalities outsidethe affected area, normality returned to Lanark Highlands afterapproximately three weeks. Despite an absence of electricity forup to three weeks, and the considerable destruction of trees andforests, the incident was widely viewed as a unifying experiencefor the township.1998 - Flooding occurred along the Clyde and Mississippi Rivers.An emergency was declared. Flooding caused considerable strifefor a number of weeks.Recent HistoryThe Corporation of the Township of Lanark Highlands is anamalgamated Township formally created in 1997. The formermunicipalities of Lanark Township, Lanark Village and Lavant,Dalhousie and North Sherbrooke Township were amalgamatedon May 14, 1997. Darling Township completed the amalgamationby joining on July 1, 1997. Regardless of the time period, residentsof what is now Lanark Highlands have always been noted fortheir warm generosity. Whether in times of need or emergency,or if only to welcome a new resident or traveler, the people ofLanark Highlands Township have always been seen as waitingwith open arms for all, offering their services, their belongings,and their kindness.3