Lanark, Ontario, is a charming unincorporated community nestled in the heart of Lanark Highlands, Lanark County, in Eastern Ontario, Canada. This former village is a testament to the resilience and industrious spirit of its inhabitants, offering a rich history and a variety of recreational activities.
Lanark was first settled in 1820 by Scottish immigrants who named it after their hometown in Scotland. The village quickly established its first post office in 1823, becoming a significant hub for the lumbering and textile industries. Both industries utilized the Clyde River, which runs through the village, as a power source and a transportation route to transport logs east to the Ottawa River.
The textile industry thrived for about 170 years before succumbing to the influx of cheap Asian textiles into North America. As a result, jobs in the textile industry moved overseas. Logging, however, has continued, albeit in a much reduced manner. Wood is now harvested chiefly for the pulp industry or for firewood.
In 1959, a major fire destroyed many of the main commercial structures and a number of homes in the village's centre. Most buildings were inadequately insured, and the replacement buildings are highly functional in their design. The village is home to the Lanark and District Museum, which features exhibits of local history.
Until the late 1990s, the major employer in the village was the Glenayr Kitten Mill, which produced clothing and offered their products at several factory outlet stores in the village. Several of the buildings are still known by their numbers (e.g. Kitten Factory #1) to local residents. The Clyde Woolen Mills was the founder of these properties.
Lanark has been the proud host of the Canadian Big League Baseball Championships in the past. This prestigious baseball tournament features 18-year-old players from across the country, who come to play at Clyde Memorial Park.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Lanark had a population of 803 living in 364 of its 382 total private dwellings, a change of 3.2% from its 2016 population of 778. With a land area of 4.77 km2 (1.84 sq mi), it had a population density of 168.3/km2 (436.0/sq mi) in 2021.
The 2001 Statistics Canada Census reported the following:
The racial makeup of Lanark, Ontario, is predominantly White (98.5%), with Aboriginal (1.1%), Asian (0.2%), and Black (0.2%) communities also represented.
