Arnprior, Ontario, a charming town nestled in the eastern part of Southern Ontario, Canada, is a place where history and modernity coexist. Located 65 km west of Downtown Ottawa, Arnprior is situated at the confluence of the Madawaska River and the Ottawa River in the Ottawa Valley. The town has seen significant growth in recent years, thanks to the expansion of the 417 Provincial Highway.
The land that Arnprior now occupies was once the traditional territory of the Algonquin nation of indigenous North Americans. The first European explorers, led by Samuel de Champlain, visited the area in May 1613. In 1823, a 1,200-acre block was ceded to Archibald McNab and named McNab Township. The town was named Arnprior in 1831, after McNab's ancestral home in Scotland.
Arnprior, Ontario, has a rich history in the lumber industry, thanks to businessmen like Daniel McLachlin, who built a massive sawmill at the confluence of the Madawaska and Ottawa rivers. The town was incorporated as a village in 1862 and as a town thirty years later in 1892.
The history of Arnprior is preserved and documented at the Arnprior and District Museum and the Arnprior and McNab/Braeside Archives.
Arnprior has attracted new businesses to Eastern Ontario, thanks to its proximity to Ottawa, easy access to highway 417, and full services and infrastructure. The town is home to multinational corporations such as Arnprior Aerospace Inc, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy Canada Inc, and Nylene Canada Inc, among others.
The lumber trade, a significant part of Arnprior's history, continued with the Gillies sawmill until its closing in 1993. Other significant employers in Arnprior include Sullivan and Sons and Smith Construction companies.
Agriculture has been a fixture in Arnprior since the arrival of McNab's Scottish immigrants. The farming tradition is celebrated annually at the Arnprior Fair, which has been held since 1854.
Arnprior is located on the Trans-Canada Highway system and is served by the Arnprior Airport and the nearby Arnprior Water Aerodrome. The town has a long history with railways, with the Canada Central Railway reaching Arnprior in 1864.
Arnprior's central location between the National Capital Region and the Ottawa Valley makes it an ideal destination for tourists. The town offers a blend of historical landmarks and modern conveniences, including shopping, recreation, restaurants, water sport facilities, and beaches.
Arnprior's recreation facilities include walking trails, a marina, civic centre, curling rink, municipal beaches, parks, and an airport. The town also hosts several cultural groups and events, including live theatre, chamber music, dance and choir performances, and art exhibits.
Some of the main attractions in Arnprior include the Arnprior Market, Robert Simpson Park, the Millennium trails and Macnamara Trail, the Arnprior & District Museum, and the annual Priorpalooza Music Festival and White Pine Festival.
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Arnprior had a population of 9,629 living in 4,308 of its 4,458 total private dwellings, a change of 9.5% from its 2016 population of 8,795. With a land area of 13.04 km2, it had a population density of 738.4/km2 in 2021.
Arnprior, Ontario, is a town that beautifully blends history and modernity, offering residents and visitors a unique experience. Whether you're interested in history, industry, agriculture, transportation, or tourism, Arnprior has something for everyone.
