Arkona, Ontario, a charming community nestled in the municipality of Lambton Shores, is a hidden gem in southwestern Ontario. Located near the Lambton–Middlesex county line, Arkona is situated beside the Ausable River and is roughly halfway between Thedford and Watford.
The site of Arkona, Ontario, is steeped in history, dating back to the retreat of the Wisconsin Glacier some 16,000 years ago. The village is located at the base of the Wyoming Moraine, which formed along the shores of the ancient Lake Arkona. The nearby Hungry Hollow reveals rich deposits of fossils, providing a glimpse into the area's prehistoric past.
Evidence of early human habitation has been found just a kilometre south of Arkona, with Paleo hunting camps dating back some 11,000 years. As the climate and vegetation changed, migrations of Archaic and Woodland peoples moved into the area. Signs of this long-standing habitation are frequently discovered in the fields surrounding the current village.
The first known permanent settlers of European background in Arkona, Ontario, were Asa Townsend and his wife Huldah Barstow. They settled east of present-day Arkona on the banks of the Ausable River in what later became Bosanquet Township in Lambton County. The Townsends were joined by Henry Utter, who settled on a farm in the recently surveyed Warwick Township. A settlement gradually grew up that straddled the Warwick-Bosanquet Township line.
The village was surveyed in 1851 and known variously as Bosanquet Corners, Eastman Corners, and Smithfield. In 1857, it was renamed 'Arkona' after the rugged cape on the Baltic Island of Rügen. The community incorporated in June 1876, and despite failing to attract a railway, Arkona remained an important service centre for the surrounding rural farming district.
The advent of the automobile led to gradual yet dramatic changes to Arkona's makeup, especially in the post-World War II era. Its school closed in 1973 and all village students then attended Bosanquet Township Central School. Despite the changes and loss of many local enterprises, the community still boasts a dental office, optometrists, a medical clinic, a grocery store, gas station, and several retail outlets.
Rock Glen Conservation Area, located just north of the village, continues to attract tourists to the area. Villagers celebrated the centennial of their community's incorporation in July 1976, with some two thousand people in attendance. A smaller celebration marked the 125th anniversary in 2001.
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Arkona had a population of 648 living in 279 of its 283 total private dwellings, a change of 2.2% from its 2016 population of 634. With a land area of 2.53 km2 (0.98 sq mi), it had a population density of 256.1/km2 (663.4/sq mi) in 2021.
Arkona, Ontario, is a community rich in history and natural beauty. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or just looking for a peaceful place to visit, Arkona offers a unique blend of past and present that is sure to captivate you.
