Gananoque and the Admiralty Islands

Area 1 stretches from the Howe Island Ferry Road to Jackstraw Lane, including the Admiralty Islands and the Town of Gananoque.

Gananoque began as a mill town. Sir John Johnson, a well known Loyalist in Upper Canada, erected a mill on the east bank of the Gananoque River in 1789. Three years later, Joel Stone erected another mill on the west bank. The mills attracted more settlers, and soon many of the Admiralty Islands such as Hay, McDonald, Lindsay and Bostwick were cleared and farmed. Some of these islands were leased directly from the natives with agreements that granted ownership for "as long as the grass grows and the water runs, for the sum of five shillings a year". These islands are no longer farmed, and the abandoned fields are slowly returning to forest.

In terms of topography, the area is very rugged. The effects of glaciation are evident on both the islands and the mainland. In raised areas, bedrock was smoothed on one side as ice sheets advanced and steeped on the other as passing ice sheets plucked pieces of granite away This glacial action created a unique land form called a Roché Moutonée (or rock sheep). Friction cracks formed, gullies were scoured and large boulders from far off places were dropped here as the glaciers receded. It is hard to believe that these massive forces of change swept through the area less than 12 000 years ago!

The hospitality industry has played a large role in the development of this area. In the late 19th century, hotels were established on several islands, including Hay and Tremont, and in the town of Gananoque itself. The summer resort on Hay Island was built by Jacob Duetta in 1895. The Tremont Island House, a boarding house built by Captain Davis and his wife, was destroyed by fire in 1923. This was a fate that befell many of the old hotels in the area. Today, the tradition of accommodating tourists is alive and well in the town of Gananoque. Halfmoon Bay, at the south-east end of Bostwick Island, was created over 500 million years ago by a rushing torrent of water. Water flowing through the river shot through a cut at the end of the bay. Whirlpools formed. Spinning rocks and stones wore away the rock walls near the back of the bay. This action left a noticeable scalloped pattern. There are other potholes located farther back on the island. At a later date, these potholes were filled with soft, sedimentary rock. This softer rock was scraped away during glaciation. As the glaciers melted, the torrents of water poured through the potholes, scouring them clean once again.

Out of this rugged topography a wide variety of habitats has developed. Rare species such as pitch pine, which prefer windswept southwestern slopes, and the beach fern on ancient beaches can be found on the islands.

Many of the islands in the Admiralty Group are small and may not support large animal populations. However, a little patience may allow you a glimpse of a mink or raccoon prowling the shoreline. During the spring and fall migration, many birds stop over on the islands. Some of the larger islands support larger animals such as deer and coyotes. There have even been historic reports of moose crossing the river near Gananoque.