Port Hope, Ontario
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Port Hope (2006 population 16,500) is a picturesque town in the Canadian province of Ontario, Canada, about 70 km east of Toronto city limits or 100 km from downtown Toronto. Located on the north shore of Lake Ontario (+43° 56' 54.96", -78° 17' 36.96") and situated at the extreme western end of Northumberland County, Port Hope's nearest neighbour (7 km to the east) is the marginally larger Cobourg, Ontario.
"Ganaraska" was the name attributed to the area by the natives of the region. In 1793 United Empire Loyalists became the first permanent settlers in Port Hope, which was then known as Smith's Creek after a former fur trader. After being renamed, briefly, Toronto, it was renamed again in 1817 after Colonel Henry Hope, lieutenant governor of Quebec, and in 1834 Port Hope was incorporated as a town. Relatively slow growth throughout its history has resulted in much of its original architecture not being demolished in the name of progress. In 2001, the original Town amalgamated with Hope Township to form the Municipality of Port Hope.
Port Hope is celebrated as having the best preserved 19th century streetscape in Ontario. The town's Heritage Board and Associatation (HBA) is arguably the most active group of its type in the province and advises on restoration and preservation of the architecturally significant and/or historic buildings in the area. With over 250 heritage designated buildings throughout the municipality, Port Hope has a higher per capita rate of preservation than any other town or city in Canada. Downtown businesses are tightly regulated by the HBA. Luminescent, neon, or otherwise unnaturally bright lights are banned from being displayed in windows, on the street, or any where else in the Heritage District. There are stringent decorating procedures businesses must follow, signs must be made from natural materials. No plastic, metallic, or vinyl is allowed to be displayed. Many business have difficulty operating to their full potential due to the strict guidelines they must follow, set out by the HBA.
The Capitol Theatre is Canada's last functioning atmospheric theatre, the main auditorium of which is styled after an outdoor medieval courtyard where rolling clouds are projected onto the ceiling. The town recently spent in excess of 3 million dollars renovating and upgrading the theatre in 2004/2005. The Capital theatre is currently in very serious debt, having a poor turn over during the recent seasons.
Port Hope is home to various industries. The town is well-known as a destination for antique stores and other specialty shopping. Recent and projected growth points to the town's role in elder care (in the form of adult-lifestyle centred housing, retirement and nursing homes).
The Ganaraska River (affectionately known as "The Ganny"), which bisects the original town, is well-known to area anglers for annual salmon and trout runs.
Port Hope hosts many attractions and events throughout the year, including:
- Ganaraska Forest Centre
- Ganaraska Trail
- Canadian Firefighters Museum
- Port Hope Yacht Club
- Vintage Film Festival
- Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny (a "race" in honour of a previous flood)
- Port Hope Festival Theatre
- Port Hope & District Agricultural Fall Fair
- The All Canadian Jazz Festival
- Christmas Festival of Trees
- various artisan, house and garden tours
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Education
- St. Mary's, Catholic JK-3
- St. Anthony's, Catholic 4-8
- Beatrice Strong PS, Public JK-6
- Dr. L. B. Powers, Public JK-6 (to be closed June 30, 2006)
- Central Public School, Public JK-6 (to be closed June 30, 2006)
- Howard Jordan Public School, Public JK-6
- George Hamilton Public School, Public JK-6
- Port Hope High School, Public Gr 7-12 High school
- Port Hope High School Student to Work Transition Program (SWOT Campus), Public Grade 9-12.
- Trinity College School, Private Gr 5-12 school.
Major Industries
- Cameco Corporation, which recently (2006) bought out local industry giant Zircatec.
- Textron Automotive
- St Elizabeth Health Care
- Northumberland Package Handling
- Collins & Aikman
- ESCO Limited
- Sterling Truss Company
Demographics
Racial Composition
- 96.5% White
- 1.5% Aboriginal
- 0.6% Black
- 0.5% Korean
Religious Groups
- 56.7% Protestant
- 19.7% Catholic
- 2.7% other Christian
External links
Updated by a local resident, Feb 2006.af:Port Hope