Port Stanley, Ontario, is a charming community nestled in the Municipality of Central Elgin, Elgin County, Canada. It is beautifully situated on the north shore of Lake Erie at the mouth of Kettle Creek. As of 2016, Port Stanley was home to 2,148 residents.
Port Stanley, Ontario, boasts a rich history dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The site was a crucial route from Lake Erie to other inland waterways for a series of explorers and travelers. It served as a significant landing point and camping spot.
Notable figures such as Adrien Jolliet, brother of Louis Jolliet, landed here in 1669 during the first exploration of the Great Lakes by Europeans. Other distinguished visitors included François Dollier de Casson and René de Bréhant de Galinée (1670), Jean-Baptiste Céloron de Blainville (1749), and Sir William Johnson (1761).
In 1923, a site bounded by Bridge, Main, and Colbourne Streets was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in honor of its historical significance. Lieutenant-Colonel John Bostwick received the first land grant and settled in what is now Port Stanley in 1804. The community was renamed Port Stanley around 1824 after Edward Smith-Stanley, 14th Earl of Derby, who had visited nearby Port Talbot.
Port Stanley, Ontario, is a tourist haven with a plethora of attractions. These include a large sandy beach, the King George VI Lift Bridge (a lifting bridge across Kettle Creek opened in May 1939), marinas, restaurants, hotels, and shops.
The Port Stanley Festival Theatre, located in the former town hall building on Bridge Street, and the Port Stanley Terminal Rail, which operates a tourist train between St. Thomas, Ontario, and Port Stanley, are also popular attractions.
In 1926, the L&PS Pavilion, later renamed the Stork Club, opened. It was famous for swing dance and big band and attracted several big names to play there. The club was closed in 1973 but reopened in 1974 after renovations. The last event was a performance by Day Break on New Year's Eve of 1978/79.
Port Stanley, Ontario, experiences a humid continental climate, which is somewhat modified by the waters of Lake Erie. This climate contributes to the area's natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination for tourists and history enthusiasts alike.
