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In 1812, The British Government designated all of
Lanark County as 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 Sherbrooke Township were opened for even
greater settlement in 1820. From the outset, Lanark Village was designated
to be the chief local administrative base for Northern Lanark. Lavant and
Darling were also opened for settlement over the following 20 years, in
order to accommodate the increasing number of immigrants from the British
Isles.
The earliest settlers were unemployed Scots who left the overpopulated
areas of Glasgow and Lanarkshire, following the Napoleonic war. In 1820,
approximately 400 families arrived in Lanark Village, bringing with them
skills in cotton weaving, carpentry, blacksmithing and shoemaking. A similar
influx of 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 a result, many settlers opted
to reside in Perth, unwilling to make the dangerous trek to Northern Lanark.
Of the settlers who did arrive in the Village, all males over 21 years of
age were granted 100 acres divided up using the traditional grid system - a
grid which is still evident in the current land use pattern and property
boundaries. Although the intention of the original settlers were to farm each
parcel of land, it soon became apparent that the only lands that could be
cultivated were those located in floodplains, along rivers or adjacent to
lakes. Consequently, most settlers opted to perform timber-related
activities instead. Early industrial activity typically included grist
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 historical
significance include:
1857 - The Crotch Lake disaster caused a flood from Crotch Lake to the
Ottawa River. Many of the bridges across the Mississippi River were swept
away, including all three in Dalhousie and one in North Sherbrooke
Townships. The flood also washed away the Currie's grist mill at the head of
Dalhousie Lake (one of the first to be built and operated on the Mississippi
River).
1862 - The Village of Lanark officially separated from the Township of
Lanark.
1883 - The Township of Lavant separates from the Township of Dalhousie and
North Sherbrooke
1917 - A fire destroyed the Clyde Woolen Mills - the areas largest industry
and employer.
1919-1920 - The Hydro Electric Power Commission constructed a 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 Legion Hall), leaving more
than 100 people homeless, and caused $1.5 million in damage. It is a
commonly held view that the fire had a profound psychological impact on the
spirit of the people of Lanark, causing a temporary depression.
1975 - Lavant Township amalgamates with Dalhousie and North North Sherbrooke
Township to form the "Township of Lavant, Dalhousie and North Sherbrooke".
1997 - May 14 - Lavant Dalhousie and North Sherbrooke Township, Lanark
Township and Lanark Village amalgamate to form North West Lanark.
1997 - July 1 - North West Lanark Township and Darling Township amalgamate
to form 'THE TOWNSHIP OF LANARK HIGHLANDS".
1998 - An ice storm affecting much of Eastern Ontario and Southern Quebec
created a national emergency. Thanks to the generosity of people, businesses
and municipalities outside the affected area, normality returned to Lanark
Highlands after approximately three weeks. Despite an absence of electricity
for up to three weeks, and the considerable destruction of trees and
forests, the incident was widely viewed as a unifying experience for the
township.
1998 - Flooding occurred along the Clyde and Mississippi Rivers. An
emergency was declared. Flooding caused considerable strife for a number of
weeks.
Recent History
The Corporation of the Township of Lanark Highlands is an amalgamated
Township formally created in 1997. The former municipalities of Lanark
Township, Lanark Village and Lavant, Dalhousie and North Sherbrooke Township
were amalgamated on May 14, 1997. Darling Township completed the
amalgamation by joining on July 1, 1997.
Regardless of the time period, residents of what is now Lanark Highlands
have always been noted for their warm generosity. Whether in times of need
or emergency, or if only to welcome a new resident or traveler, the people
of Lanark Highlands Township have always been seen as waiting with open arms
for all, offering their services, their belongings, and their kindness.
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