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Settlement
On March 5, 1848, Allan Cameron and William Withers landed by ship at the site of the modern-day town, in that part of Upper Canada known only as the Queen's Bush, and founded a community called Penetangore. On January 1, 1850 the Queen's Bush was divided into counties, and the counties were divided into townships. Penetangore now found itself located within the Township of Kincardine in the County of Bruce. Both the township and the county were named after James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin and 12th Earl of Kincardine.
In the summer of 1851, the Durham Road finally reached its terminus at Penetangore, and allowed access to the settlement by land. The road would be considered nearly impassable by today's standards, but at the time represented a significant improvement in communication and trade. A post office was established at Penetangore in the same year.
In the early years of Bruce County, Kincardine was the only township with any appreciable settlement, and served as the seat of local government for the entire county. Tensions eventually rose to the point where this arrangement could no longer be maintained, and on January 1, 1854 several new municipalities were formed, leaving only Kinloss Township and Bruce Township in union with Kincardine. Kinloss subsequently separated in 1855, and Bruce in 1856.
Early development
Over this time, the name Penetangore had gradually fallen out of favour, and was officially discontinued (except with regard to the river) when the Village of Kincardine was incorporated on January 1, 1858. The first grammar school in the county was established at Kincardine in 1860.
During the years 1856 to 1866, a long and convoluted political battle was fought over the location of the county seat. Kincardine and Walkerton were the main contenders, and the latter finally emerged victorious. Kincardine would continue to dominate the county economically, but had clearly lost much of its early political primacy.
History of the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band
The Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band celebrates its centennial in 2008 and is believed to be the oldest street pipe band with unbroken service in Ontario. Founded in 1908, by Pipe Major William Young, the band first hit the street in late 1909 originally wearing the McKenzie Tartan and boasting a membership of 5 Pipers, 4 Drummers, and a Drum Major. For the first 20 years of their existence their ranks varied from 9-20 members and even included the renowned drummer, Albert Tucker, who had the honour of being chosen as the lead drum for the funeral of King Edward, in 1910. The band played at many occasions all over Ontario including Garden Parties, Reunions, Fall Fairs, Opening Ceremonies, Weddings, and Funerals. In 1922 the band changed to the Golden Tartan, which they wore until 1994.
By 1929, Pipe Major Young retired due to failing health and Donald MacDonald became the new Pipe Major. During his leadership years, the band played on the radio out of London, Ontario, traveled with the Kincardine Fire Brigade to their field days, and, in 1935, led the parade when the Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable R.B. Bennett, came to Kincardine.
In 1939, James Irvine took over as Pipe Major, and barely kept the band together through the war years. After the war the Renowned Kincardine Saturday Night Parades started. In 1947, the band elected their first executive, the president being Paul MacKay, and secretary Ernie Fisher. The Legion was a big help as sponsor to the band by providing some equipment, and uniforms.
In 1950 the Kincardine merchants outfitted the band with new Gordon Tartans. Henry Lamont became Pipe Major at this time and the band had their own hat badge designed by a well known band member, Mac Webster. Henry led the band till 1992 and took the band to places like Florida, California, and Scotland, where they played at Edinburgh Castle.
Watson Morris, a student of Henry’s, took over as Pipe Major in 1992, and served for 2 years before joining a competition band in Toronto. At that time the band consisted of six pipers, three snare drummers, two tenor drummers and a bass drummer. Watson deserves many thanks for taking on the band at such a difficult time when much of the expertise retired at the same time. 1992 marked the beginning of our annual "Gathering of the Bands", which takes place on the weekend before Labour Day. The Band invites pipers and drummers to Kincardine to take part in a "Gathering" and a massed band parade.
Basil McCarthy was elected to the position of Pipe Major in 1994 and with the help of Paul McClelland the band set out to encourage membership by developing guidelines for piping and drumming instruction. In 1995 the band had become a charitable organization, pipe and drum instruction was a priority, the membership had nearly doubled and the band began wearing the Kincardine Tartan. In 1996, in honour of Donald Sinclair (a legendary early piper and settler to Kincardine) the band introduced the Phantom piper who plays atop the Kincardine Lighthouse every sunny summer evening (excluding Saturdays) at sunset. The first few years of the new millennium saw the Cairn erected at Victoria Park in honour of past, present and future pipers & drummers, the commemoration of the Phantom Piper rock in honour of the legendary Donald Sinclair at the base of the lighthouse and new leadership under the direction of Jennifer Farrell as Pipe Major.
Financial support from the Friends of the Kincardine Scottish, contributions to the Wishing Well and numerous local businesses and Kincardinites have afforded the opportunity to maintain the dress in the Kincardine Tartan.
Paddy Walker
When densely forested lands, in what was called the Queen's Bush, were opened for settlement in the middle of the 19th century, it brought a tide of humanity to the eastern shore of Lake Huron.
In the forefront were a number of entrepreneurs who had recognized that many of the land seekers would require accommodation and suppliers as they prepared to trek into the wilderness of Canada West.
Among these enterprising individuals was a native of Sligo, Ireland, Francis 'Paddy' Walker, who arrived in Kincardine (Then Penetangore) driving from Goderich on the ice along the Lake Shore, in a horse drawn cutter in the spring of 1850.
He brought with him his wife, Jane and their seven sons. The Walker House Hotel was built that same year, overlooking the Penetangore River. The sand flats later became the harbour and the center of intense commercial and industry activity.
An outstanding example of the pioneer entrepreneurs who helped create strong communities, Mr. Walker also operated a schooner Mud Turtle, and was a contractor on the Durham Road as it was cut eastward through the bush from Kincardine.
Political feelings ran deep and strong in the pioneer settlements. Undaunted, and reputed to be armed with an unmatched vocabulary of profanity, Mr. Walker took an active part in the community and was a member of the first council of the United Townships of the County of Bruce in 1852.
The Walker House was the sense of political activity, including a riot in a fierce controversy over a money bylaw intended to finance the creation of a harbour at Kincardine.
Among many tales of Paddy Walker is one about the night he supplied shovels and refreshments to a bunch of boys to have a bend in the Penetangore River straightened so its confluence with Lake Huron would bring arrivals nearer the front door of the Walker House.
Of course, whiskey was not stranger to the Walker House. From the day Paddy Walker opened his hotel, it offered a glass of cheer to tired pioneers, sailors, drovers, teamsters and hard-working townsmen.
Francis Walker was a well-to-do, landed gentleman when he died in Kincardine a quarter century after he arrived. His body rests in the Kincardine Cemetery. The Walker House remains a cherished memorial to the pioneer spirit not only of Paddy Walker but also the many who passed that way in search of a new life in Bruce.
History and Photo Courtesy of The Paddy Walker Historical Society
BLINKY KIDNAPPED!
How many Towns have a Lighthouse for a mascot? I would presume not that many. While Blinky the Lighthouse isn’t technically the Town’s mascot he has over the years become a favourite with children following the Kincardine Scottish parades on Saturday night during the summer. Blinky doesn’t just march in every parade…he appears at virtually every event that happens in Kincardine. Blinky, has, over time, become as synonymous with Kincardine as the Pipe Band.
In 1998 just days before the Sesquicentennial Reunion I awoke to the news that Blinky had disappeared. The next day the horror of the disappearance had even made the front pages of the Toronto Star. How convenient I thought to myself…the organizers of the Reunion have manufactured a fantastic publicity stunt. I thought it was brilliant. Oh, the denials came fast and furious but c’mon Blinky disappearing right before the biggest parade of his life? I thought not.
Miraculously, Blinky was found just in time to participate in the Callithumpian Parade on the Saturday of the Sesqui. He had been found, bruised and a tad battered down in the Penetangore Ravine. Triumphantly, he led the parade with a few battle scars but none the worse for wear. The children screamed with delight when they saw him coming because up until that Saturday morning nobody was quite sure who would be in front of the parade. I was impressed.
Truth is though, Blinky really was kidnapped. The organizers of the Reunion had nothing to do with it. A couple of pranksters had orchestrated the whole thing. I can only hope that I can come up with an equally successful PR coup before the ’08 Reunion.
Laura Haight
The Kincardine Reunion Song
Click here for the lyrics to the 1936 Reunion Song.
Alan Boileau
Canadian artist, Alan Boileau now lives in Kelowna B.C. Here he is surrounded by the landscape, lakes and forests that inspire his beautiful works of art. Over time Alan’s talent as a woodworker merged with his artistic vision, and he developed a technique to create his wood wall sculptures.
Brenley MacEachern of madviolet
The blond-haired half of the fab fiddle-tinged alt-pop duo. Read more....
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