Nestled on the York River in Hastings County, Bancroft, Ontario, is a charming town with a rich history and an abundance of natural beauty. With a population of 3,881 as per the 2016 Census, Bancroft is a vibrant community that attracts over 150,000 visitors annually.
Bancroft's history dates back to the 1850s when it was first settled by United Empire Loyalists and Irish immigrants. The town was initially a hub for mining from the mid-1950s to 1982. In 1999, Bancroft merged with Dungannon Township, forming the Town of Bancroft.
The government purchased nearly two million acres of land from the Chippewa and Mississaga First Nations by 1823, including a tract on the York River in Hastings County. The first family to build a cabin here was the Clarks in 1853, who took advantage of the fur trade. Over the years, the settlement grew rapidly, with 89 families by 1868.
The early settlers were attracted to the area by the offer of free 100-acre parcels advertised in Great Britain. The settlement was connected by several colonization roads built in the 1850s–70s, making Bancroft a significant crossroads.
The settlement underwent various name changes over the years, including York Mills, York River, and York Branch. In 1879, Senator Billa Flint renamed the settlement Bancroft, after his wife's maiden name, Elizabeth Ann Clement Bancroft.
As per the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Bancroft had a population of 4,065 living in 1,801 of its 2,007 total private dwellings. This was a 4.7% increase from its 2016 population of 3,881. The majority of the population speaks English as their first language.
In 2021, MoneySense ranked Bancroft as the best place in Canada to buy real estate, making it an attractive destination for potential homeowners.
Located south on Highway 28, Silent Lake Provincial Park offers local camping opportunities. The park is known for its rocky and undeveloped shoreline, mixed forest, and marshes full of birds and wildlife.
About an hour away on Highway 62 N - Highway 127 N - Highway 60 W, Algonquin Provincial Park provides camping and hiking opportunities, beautiful forest, and outdoor scenery. The park is also home to the Canadian Moose.
Egan Chutes Provincial Park, located 15 km east of Bancroft on highway 28, is a nature reserve known for its local plants and minerals. The park features a main waterfall - Egan Chute.
Eagle's Nest Park is a scenic lookout in Bancroft, Ontario. It offers stunning views of the town, the York River, and Bancroft Airport.
Bancroft is a hub for artists and artisans, winning TVOntario's "Most Talented Town in Ontario" contest in 2004. The Art Gallery of Bancroft hosts 11-12 exhibitions per year, celebrating the work of local and regional artists and artisans. The town is also home to the Village Playhouse, a theatre that has been hosting sold-out plays, musicals, and concerts since the early 1990s.
Bancroft lies at the intersection of two provincial highways, Highway 28 and Highway 62. The town is served by the Jack Brown Airport, a Transport Canada Registered Aerodrome (CNW3), with a 2,200-foot (670 m) crushed gravel runway.
Bancroft, Ontario, experiences a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The town's location in the Canadian Shield allows it to experience some of the most vibrant fall colors in Canada.
Bancroft, Ontario, is a town that beautifully blends history and natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination for travelers.
