Hastings, Ontario, a community within the municipality of Trent Hills, Northumberland County, is a charming destination nestled on the Trent-Severn Waterway and the Trans Canada Trail. Known as "The Hub of the Trent," Hastings is a major centre for tourists, boaters, and fishermen, offering a rich history and a vibrant community life.
Hastings is conveniently accessible from Highway 401 by exiting at exit 474 at Cobourg and going north on County Road 45. Alternatively, it can be reached from Highway 7 at the Norwood exit going south, also on County Road 45.
With a population of 1,208 at the 2001 Census, Hastings is the second most substantial population centre in the municipality of Trent Hills. The community is symbolized by a tall, blue water tower perched prominently on high ground in the northern portion of the community.
In November 2017, Hastings councillor and deputy mayor Robert Crate assumed the position of mayor of Trent Hills, following the death of Hector Macmillan who had served as mayor since 2003. Businessman Michael Metcalf replaced Bob Crate as Ward 3 Hastings councillor.
Hastings boasts a bustling waterfront, enhanced by a marina that was built in the community. In 2009, a Hastings Waterfront & Downtown Improvement Plan was prepared, continuing the street-scape design theme from the new Hastings Village Marina. The same year, the local Chamber of Commerce was revived after a four-year break.
Hastings hosts the largest annual event in the community, the Canada Day celebrations, which includes a parade through downtown during the day and a fireworks display at the waterfront at dusk. Despite being a relatively small community, the fireworks display has been considered one of the best in Ontario, attracting an increasing number of spectators in recent years.
In 2012, Hastings was named Canada's Ultimate Fishing Town by the World Fishing Network. The community is abundant with various fish species, including muskie, pickerel, pike, walleye, large and smallmouth bass, catfish, perch, crappie, and bluegill.
The first European presence in the area dates back to 1615 when Samuel de Champlain visited Huronia. In 1810, James Crooks purchased 1,050 acres of land on the north and south shores of the rapids at the top of Rice Lake, Ontario. The settlement of Crooks' Rapids was named in 1820 and later became Hastings.
The Fowlds family had a significant influence on the village of Hastings in its early history. Henry Fowlds bought and renamed the settlement of Crooks' Rapids to Hastings, naming it after Lady Flora Hastings, a boyhood acquaintance. His family played significant roles within the community, such as reeve (now the term "mayor" is used in most communities), and also started small businesses.
The Trent River, part of the Trent-Severn Waterway, is crucial for local boat transportation as well as recreation. The river connects directly to Lake Ontario, which is south of Hastings, making Hastings easily accessible by boat.
In 2001, Hastings' population totaled 1,208, increasing by 6% from 1996 to 2001. The majority of Hastings' full-time residents are Christian, although about 25% reported that they have no religious affiliation.
The Lang-Hastings Trail is a 33 km rail trail that runs between Peterborough and Hastings, and passes through Keene and other areas. It is part of the Trans-Canada Trail, the longest trail build in the country.
Because of the influence of the Great Lakes, Ontario experiences smaller variations in temperature and higher precipitation than would otherwise be expected for a region in the heart of a continent. The last snowfall of the winter season is often experienced in spring. In the early portion of spring, climate can remain much like winter in Hastings, with possible snowstorms, lake effect snow, and cold temperatures.
