Trout Creek, Ontario, is a charming community nestled in the municipality of Powassan, Parry Sound District in Northern Ontario, Canada. This unincorporated area, part of the Almaguin Highlands, is situated in the geographic South Himsworth Township. It is conveniently located on Ontario Highway 11, just 12 kilometres south of the town centre of Powassan.
The town of Trout Creek has a rich history that dates back to 1913. Initially, it was known as Little Bend of the South River, with Powassan referred to as the Big Bend. The town was later named Melbourne after the pioneer settlers arrived in 1868, possibly in honour of Melbourne, Australia. The Australian city was named in 1835 for Lord Melbourne, the British prime minister from 1834-41.
However, Trout Creek's post office was called Barkerton in 1887. The town was renamed Trout Creek three years later. The town is situated on a tributary of the South River, in Parry Sound District, 37 kilometres south of North Bay.
Trout Creek holds a special place in Canadian sports history. It was at "the Chalet" in Trout Creek that the first complete set of rules for the Canadian sport of ringette were presented. Mirl Arthur "Red" McCarthy developed these rules, which were presented to the Society of Directors of Municipal Recreation of Ontario (SDMRO) by the Northern Ontario Recreation Directors Association (NORDA) on May 31, 1965.
According to the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Trout Creek had a population of 458 living in 207 of its 216 total private dwellings. This represented a change of -14.9% from its 2016 population of 538. With a land area of 3.13 km2, Trout Creek had a population density of 146.3/km2 in 2021.
The Canadian National Railway transcontinental main line was the first transportation link constructed in the area during the late 19th century. In the early 20th century, the Ferguson Road, later becoming Ontario Highway 11, was constructed on a roughly parallel course to the rail line.
Ontario Highway 11 was rerouted around the community in 2002 following its expansion to a four-lane divided highway. Ontario Highway 522 assumed its former alignment south out of the community, reaching its terminus at McFadden Line and Interchange 301. The former northern alignment became Ontario Highway 522B, reaching its terminus at Hemlock Road and Interchange 306.
Trout Creek, Ontario, is a community steeped in history and modernity, offering a unique blend of the past and the present. Whether you're a history buff, a sports enthusiast, or simply looking for a charming community to explore, Trout Creek has something for everyone.
