1000 Islands Tourism

Built on an Industrial Past

BUILT ON AN INDUSTRIAL PAST

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Gananoque was founded by Joel Stone, a United Empire Loyalist in 1789. A prosperous entrepreneur, he started with 700 acres and a flour mill, and then saw potential to develop our industrial foundation with more mills, a port on the river and factories.

In our Industrial past water power turned the wheels of Gananoque’s industries as early as 1792. Lumbering, mining, and milling, the Gananoque River was lined with factories on both banks from its mouth to the upper falls, and these establishments depended on water as a prime source of energy. By the early 19th century numerous mills, a tannery, tool manufacturing plant and harness and carriage factory were thriving industries.

The main industry today is tourism, with many income generating activities such as cruise lines, fishing, scuba diving, golf, cycling, theatre, and visits to resort hotels and restaurants.