Grenadier Island (Saint Lawrence River)
Encyclopedia
Grenadier Island is one of the island
s of the Thousand Islands
located on the St. Lawrence River in Leeds County, Ontario
, Canada
.
to establish a mission at Oswego
. On his way, he stopped at the village of Toniata where he observed native Mississauga Indians fishing for eel. The site of Toniata is believed to have been on Grenadier Island.
During the Seven Years War, Captain Francois Pouchot of the French Navy also visited Grenadier Island. In his memoirs, he wrote
Pouchot claimed the meaning of Toniata is "Beyond the Point".
, Grenadier Island hosted a watch post. By 1818, fourteen farms had been established. The island was preferable to the mainland for farming because it was less rugged and had good soil. During the 19th century, steamboat
traffic increased dramatically.
Since the early 1870s Grenadier Island has become a popular summer retreat.
in 1905, one year after the park was established. Since that time other parts of the island were purchased or donated. In May 1999, 70.2 acres (284,089.6 m²) of ecologically sensitive wetland along Brooker's Creek on the north side of Grenadier Island became part of the park. The property is physically connected with other wetland property in the Park. It is protected as a wetland of high importance for conservation and high resource sensitivity. Two bird species found here, the Least Bittern
and Red Shouldered Hawk, are rated as species of special concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
. The swamp woods and marshes found here are home to numerous species of breeding birds and are alive with bird song in migration seasons. Reptiles such as the stinkpot turtle and Blanding's turtle
and several amphibian species including a variety of frogs and salamanders thrive in this highly productive habitat.
The property is not easily accessible by the public and is protected as highly sensitive lands.
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
s of the Thousand Islands
Thousand Islands
The Thousand Islands is the name of an archipelago of islands that straddle the Canada-U.S. border in the Saint Lawrence River as it emerges from the northeast corner of Lake Ontario. They stretch for about downstream from Kingston, Ontario. The Canadian islands are in the province of Ontario, the...
located on the St. Lawrence River in Leeds County, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Early history
In 1654, Pere Simon le Moyne, a Jesuit Priest, made the first recorded voyage of a European through the upper St. Lawrence. He was sent from MontrealMontreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
to establish a mission at Oswego
Oswego
Oswego is a word from the Iroquois language, meaning "The Outpouring". The word may refer to:-Place names:In the United States:*Oswego, Illinois, a village in Kendall County*Oswego, Indiana, an unincorporated place in Kosciusko County...
. On his way, he stopped at the village of Toniata where he observed native Mississauga Indians fishing for eel. The site of Toniata is believed to have been on Grenadier Island.
During the Seven Years War, Captain Francois Pouchot of the French Navy also visited Grenadier Island. In his memoirs, he wrote
At five leagues from Point au Baril is the Island of Toniata. The main channel of the river is between this island and the south shore. The north part of the river is filled with rushes, and in summer, it is famous for a thriving eel fishery.
M. de Frontenac gave this island to an Iroquois, and the latter sold it for four pots of Brandy to a Canadien, who would have in turn sold it back for a beaver skin.
Pouchot claimed the meaning of Toniata is "Beyond the Point".
1800s
The island remained under native control until the United Empire Loyalists arrived in the early 19th century. During the War of 1812War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
, Grenadier Island hosted a watch post. By 1818, fourteen farms had been established. The island was preferable to the mainland for farming because it was less rugged and had good soil. During the 19th century, steamboat
Steamboat
A steamboat or steamship, sometimes called a steamer, is a ship in which the primary method of propulsion is steam power, typically driving propellers or paddlewheels...
traffic increased dramatically.
Since the early 1870s Grenadier Island has become a popular summer retreat.
1900s
The west end of Grenadier Island became part of St. Lawrence Islands National ParkSt. Lawrence Islands National Park
St. Lawrence Islands National Park is located in the Thousand Islands Region of the Saint Lawrence River. The islands are actually the worn-down tops of ancient mountains...
in 1905, one year after the park was established. Since that time other parts of the island were purchased or donated. In May 1999, 70.2 acres (284,089.6 m²) of ecologically sensitive wetland along Brooker's Creek on the north side of Grenadier Island became part of the park. The property is physically connected with other wetland property in the Park. It is protected as a wetland of high importance for conservation and high resource sensitivity. Two bird species found here, the Least Bittern
Least Bittern
The Least Bittern is a small wading bird, the smallest heron found in the Americas.This bird's underparts and throat are white with light brown streaks. Their face and the sides of the neck are light brown; they have yellow eyes and a yellow bill. The adult male is glossy greenish black on the...
and Red Shouldered Hawk, are rated as species of special concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada ; French: Le Comité sur la situation des espèces en péril au Canada, is an independent committee of wildlife experts and scientists whose "raison d’être is to identify species at risk" in Canada...
. The swamp woods and marshes found here are home to numerous species of breeding birds and are alive with bird song in migration seasons. Reptiles such as the stinkpot turtle and Blanding's turtle
Blanding's Turtle
Blanding's turtle is a semi-aquatic turtle of the family Emydidae. It is considered to be an endangered species throughout much of its range.-Taxonomy:...
and several amphibian species including a variety of frogs and salamanders thrive in this highly productive habitat.
The property is not easily accessible by the public and is protected as highly sensitive lands.