The Communities of Rideau Township

As described in some detail by William Tupper on the "About Rideau" page on this website (see tab in menu above), settlement in North Gower and Marlborough Townships (which would merge to become Rideau Township in 1974) began in the late 1700s. While the pace of settlement was initially modest, it picked up substantially with the construction of the Rideau Canal (1828 to 1832).

The communities that emerged in Rideau Township have experienced much change through their history; some have continued to evolve with the changing times, while others physically exist today only in the names of roads that once carried people and goods in and out of vibrant communities. Except for the artifacts.

Artifacts are the tangible evidence of the people, places and events that shaped the past. Individually, they can provide insight about some particular aspect of the past; considered together they can provide a more comprehensive understanding and appreciation of the life and times of our ancestors. Artifacts can take the form of photographs, written documents, furniture, tools, and stories passed down through generations.

Our hope is that this page becomes a "portal" to exploring the nature and details of life in the communities that emerged in Rideau Township. At the moment, our collection consists principally of community photographs; however, over time we will continue to add other content (records, stories, histories, etc.) for each of the communities listed below. We invite you to come back often to check on our progress.