Bracebridge | |
|---|---|
| Town of Bracebridge | |
 View of the road into central Bracebridge. | |
| Motto: The Heart of Muskoka | |
  Bracebridge | |
| Coordinates:45°02′N79°18′W / 45.033°N 79.300°W /45.033; -79.300 | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| District | Muskoka |
| Incorporated | 1875 (village) |
| Incorporated | 1889 (town) |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Rick Maloney |
| • Governing Body | Bracebridge Town Council |
| • Federal riding | Parry Sound-Muskoka |
| • Prov. riding | Parry Sound—Muskoka |
| Area | |
| • Land | 628.22 km2 (242.56 sq mi) |
| Population (2021)[1] | |
• Total | 17,305 |
| • Density | 28.1/km2 (73/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Forward sortation area | |
| Area code(s) | 705, 249, and 683 |
| Highways |  Highway 11 Highway 118 |
| Website | www.bracebridge.ca |
Bracebridge is a town and the seat of theDistrict Municipality of Muskoka inOntario, Canada.
The town was built around a waterfall on theMuskoka River in the centre of town and is known for its other nearby waterfalls (Wilson's Falls, High Falls, etc.). It was first incorporated in 1875.[2]
The town is the seat of the district government and a centre of tourism for the Muskoka area and has several historical sites, such as the Clock Tower, Woodchester Villa, and the Silver Bridge, which joins Manitoba Street with Ecclestone Drive. The Silver Bridge was repaired in 2002.
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The character of the town of Bracebridge is shaped by its proximity toLake Muskoka to which it is connected by 10 km (6.2 mi) of the Muskoka River, and by the promise of abundant water power afforded by the great waterfall at the foot of the downtown.[2] Early growth of the town occurred in proximity to the falls which powered the first factory. The arrival of the Grand Trunk Railway cemented the town's role as a transportation hub for the area.
Modern settlement of the town began in the 1860s, beginning at first with a few log huts. The Muskoka colonization road had been completed to the first falls on the north branch of the Muskoka River by 1862. Entrepreneurs began to take advantage of the area's water power. With the advent of steamship service on Lake Muskoka a few years later, Bracebridge prospered as the main distribution centre for the region.[3]
By 1869, Bracebridge was a village with a population of 160 in the Township of Macaulay,Victoria County. (In 1868 Macauley and six additional townships had been detached from the County and transferred to the new District of Muskoka, but were not withdrawn for municipal purposes until 1877.) The village was established on the Muskoka River. There were stages in winter and boats in summer from Barrie to Washago. The average price of wild land was $2 to $5 an acre while improved land was $10 per acre.[4]
By 1870 the village had a population of about 400, growing to reach a total of about 2,000 by the turn of the 20th century.[2] The village was incorporated in 1875 and became a town under an Act of Parliament in 1889. In 1894 Bracebridge became the first town in Ontario to have its own hydro generating station. In 1971 Macaulay Township was merged into Bracebridge.
The municipal boundaries of Bracebridge also encompass the smaller communities of Clear Lake, Falkenburg (ghost town), Falkenburg Station, Fraserburg, Germania, Lakewood, Matthiasville, Monsell (ghost town), Purbrook, Rocksborough, Springdale Park, Stoneleigh, Uffington and Vankoughnet.
Bracebridge is immediately adjacent to Highway 11, a major provincial highway that connects the community to Greater Toronto in under 2 hours, as well as to markets in Northern Ontario.Muskoka Airport, which serves general aviation and scheduled flights fromBilly Bishop Toronto City Airport, is located 5 km south of Bracebridge.
While rail service to Bracebridge has been discontinued, the community is serviced by coach bus lineOntario Northland Motor Coach Services that departs from the Bracebridge Quality Inn and takes passengers south to Toronto and north to North Bay. In 2016, the municipality launched Bracebridge Transit, a one-hour single-route schedule that gets residents around the urban core. Bracebridge Mobility also offers door-to-door service to individuals who are unable to access the regular transit service due to mobility issues. The site of theBracebridge station, with the waiting station, remains.
| Climate data for Bracebridge, Ontario (Muskoka Airport) 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1938–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record highhumidex | 12.0 | 13.4 | 25.9 | 34.0 | 38.8 | 41.7 | 44.4 | 44.0 | 44.9 | 34.6 | 25.0 | 23.0 | 44.9 |
| Record high °C (°F) | 13.9 (57.0) | 12.0 (53.6) | 26.7 (80.1) | 30.2 (86.4) | 33.8 (92.8) | 35.0 (95.0) | 35.2 (95.4) | 35.0 (95.0) | 34.4 (93.9) | 28.5 (83.3) | 24.4 (75.9) | 18.8 (65.8) | 35.2 (95.4) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −4.6 (23.7) | −3.1 (26.4) | 2.5 (36.5) | 10.4 (50.7) | 18.4 (65.1) | 23.1 (73.6) | 25.3 (77.5) | 24.4 (75.9) | 20.1 (68.2) | 12.5 (54.5) | 5.1 (41.2) | −1.0 (30.2) | 11.1 (52.0) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −10 (14) | −9.1 (15.6) | −3.3 (26.1) | 4.4 (39.9) | 11.5 (52.7) | 16.7 (62.1) | 19.1 (66.4) | 18.1 (64.6) | 13.8 (56.8) | 7.4 (45.3) | 0.9 (33.6) | −5.4 (22.3) | 5.3 (41.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −15.3 (4.5) | −15.1 (4.8) | −9.0 (15.8) | −1.6 (29.1) | 4.7 (40.5) | 10.1 (50.2) | 12.8 (55.0) | 11.8 (53.2) | 7.5 (45.5) | 2.2 (36.0) | −3.4 (25.9) | −9.7 (14.5) | −0.4 (31.3) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −40.0 (−40.0) | −41.5 (−42.7) | −34.3 (−29.7) | −21.1 (−6.0) | −7.8 (18.0) | −2.2 (28.0) | 1.7 (35.1) | −1.1 (30.0) | −5.0 (23.0) | −11.1 (12.0) | −23.3 (−9.9) | −41.1 (−42.0) | −41.5 (−42.7) |
| Record lowwind chill | −49.7 | −50.7 | −43.2 | −27.6 | −11.4 | −5.9 | 0.0 | −4.3 | −8.8 | −16.9 | −30.2 | −48 | −50.7 |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 93.0 (3.66) | 64.7 (2.55) | 73.3 (2.89) | 76.6 (3.02) | 102.4 (4.03) | 85.5 (3.37) | 93.7 (3.69) | 82.2 (3.24) | 111.9 (4.41) | 105.2 (4.14) | 116.2 (4.57) | 100.4 (3.95) | 1,105.1 (43.51) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 26.5 (1.04) | 19.7 (0.78) | 38.0 (1.50) | 61.8 (2.43) | 101.8 (4.01) | 85.5 (3.37) | 93.7 (3.69) | 82.2 (3.24) | 111.9 (4.41) | 100.4 (3.95) | 81.2 (3.20) | 29.7 (1.17) | 832.2 (32.76) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 87.2 (34.3) | 57.6 (22.7) | 40.6 (16.0) | 15.5 (6.1) | 0.7 (0.3) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 5.2 (2.0) | 40.3 (15.9) | 91.1 (35.9) | 338.1 (133.1) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.2 mm) | 20.4 | 15.9 | 14.4 | 13.9 | 14.4 | 12.8 | 11.7 | 12.7 | 14.0 | 16.2 | 18.5 | 20.5 | 185.4 |
| Average rainy days(≥ 0.2 mm) | 4.7 | 4.1 | 6.7 | 10.8 | 14.3 | 12.8 | 11.7 | 12.7 | 14.0 | 15.2 | 12.0 | 6.5 | 125.4 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.2 cm) | 18.8 | 14.5 | 10.4 | 5.0 | 0.25 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.04 | 1.8 | 9.2 | 17.2 | 77.1 |
| Averagerelative humidity (%)(at 15:00 LST) | 72.4 | 64.6 | 57.3 | 53.1 | 51.7 | 55.5 | 55.9 | 58.1 | 61.1 | 65.3 | 73.0 | 76.6 | 62.0 |
| Source:Environment Canada (precipitation/rainfall/snowfall 1981–2010)[5][6][7] | |||||||||||||
Bracebridge is served by several elementary schools and two high schools:Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School, andSaint Dominic Catholic Secondary School. Public education is administered by theTrillium Lakelands District School Board,[8] and Catholic education is administered by theSimcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board.[9]
Georgian College operates a satellite campus in the town with programming that supports the local labour market. Nipissing University operated in Bracebridge for over 21 years but chose to consolidate its operations in 2016 resulting in the closure of the local campus. The facility was purchased in 2018 by a private institute.
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1871 | 700 | — |
| 1891 | 1,419 | +102.7% |
| 1901 | 2,479 | +74.7% |
| 1911 | 2,776 | +12.0% |
| 1921 | 2,451 | −11.7% |
| 1931 | 2,436 | −0.6% |
| 1941 | 2,341 | −3.9% |
| 1951 | 2,684 | +14.7% |
| 1961 | 2,927 | +9.1% |
| 1971 | 6,903 | +135.8% |
| 1981 | 9,063 | +31.3% |
| 1991 | 12,308 | +35.8% |
| 2001 | 13,751 | +11.7% |
| 2006 | 15,652 | +13.8% |
| 2011 | 15,414 | −1.5% |
| 2016 | 16,010 | +3.9% |
| 2021 | 17,305 | +8.1% |
| Note: 2011 census population corrected by Statistics Canada[10] | ||
In the2021 Census of Population conducted byStatistics Canada, Bracebridge had a population of17,305 living in7,233 of its9,053 total private dwellings, a change of8.1% from its 2016 population of16,010. With a land area of 615.2 km2 (237.5 sq mi), it had a population density of28.1/km2 (72.9/sq mi) in 2021.[11]
| 2021 | 2016 | 2011 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,305 (+8.1% from 2016) | 16,010 (3.9% from 2011) | 15,414[10] (-1.5% from 2006) |
| Land area | 615.20 km2 (237.53 sq mi) | 628.22 km2 (242.56 sq mi) | 625.66 km2 (241.57 sq mi) |
| Population density | 28.1/km2 (73/sq mi) | 25.5/km2 (66/sq mi) | 24.6/km2 (64/sq mi) |
| Median age | 51.2 (M: 49.6, F: 52.4) | 50.0 (M: 48.5, F: 51.2) | 47.2 (M: 45.6, F: 48.5) |
| Private dwellings | 9,053 (total) 7,233 (occupied) | 8,874 (total) | 8,519[10] (total) |
| Median household income | $85,000 | $69,461 |
The Town of Bracebridge built a Sportsplex in 2006 which contains a rock climbing wall, indoor track, eight-lane swimming pool and fitness studio. The town partnered with the Muskoka Limberettes Gymnastics Club to create a gymnastics facility in the same building. The Sportsplex is part of the same complex including the Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School and Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre.[15]
Bracebridge also opened a new 3.75 Million dollar softball venue called Peake Fields at Verena Acres. This facility supports a Men's League, Women's League, and Minor Ball, as well as slow pitch. The Men's fastball League has been running for some 35 years, and has produced 4 Ontario Intermediate Fastball Championships, and 3 Canadian Championships, with all local players.
Plans are currently in place for a new Arena/Fieldhouse/Library complex that is now currently under construction with an expected opening of the facility in March 2023[16]
Bracebridge is the home of Santa's Village, aChristmas theme park, established in 1955. It was inspired by the town's location at 45 degrees latitude, halfway between theequator and theNorth Pole. In 2016, Bracebridge held its first annual Fire and Ice Festival.
Local newspapers includeBracebridge Examiner,District Weekender,Muskoka Sun andMuskoka Advance.
The first newspaper in Bracebridge was theNorthern Advocate begun in 1870 by Thomas McMurray. It was joined in 1872 by theFree Grant Gazette owned by E.F. Stephenson. TheAdvocate ceased publication in 1874 and was bought out by Stephenson. Competition resumed, however, in 1878 when Mr Gaffe and Mr Oaten founded theMuskoka Herald.[2]
| Frequency | Call sign | Branding | Format | Owner | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FM 98.3 | CIIG-FM | Muskoka Information Radio | Community radio/tourist information | Instant Information Services | [17][18] |
| FM 99.5 | CFBG-FM | Moose FM | hot adult contemporary | Vista Broadcast Group | |
| FM 102.3 | CJMU-FM | Country 102 | Country music | Bayshore Broadcasting. |
Other radio stations from Barrie, Orillia, Huntsville including the surrounding areas can also be heard in the Bracebridge and Gravenhurst areas.(See also:Central Ontario Radio)
Media related toBracebridge, Ontario at Wikimedia Commons
Bracebridge, Ontario travel guide from WikivoyagePlaces adjacent to Bracebridge, Ontario | |
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