Cornwall

### **Category: Cornwall, Ontario** #### **Overview** **Cornwall, Ontario**, is a historic city along the **St. Lawrence River**, located in **eastern Ontario** near the **U.S. border**. It is a key part of the **Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System**, with a strong history in **shipping, hydroelectric power, and industry**. Cornwall also has deep **Indigenous, military, and maritime heritage**, making it a significant location for **Canadian history and trade**. #### **Geography & Location** - Located in **eastern Ontario**, directly across the **St. Lawrence River from Massena, New York**. - Situated along the **St. Lawrence Seaway**, an essential shipping corridor. - **Close to the Akwesasne Mohawk Territory**, an important Indigenous community. - Home to **Cornwall Canal remnants**, which were part of early Seaway development. #### **Maritime & Shipping History** - Cornwall played a major role in early **fur trade routes**, as it was a key portage site along the St. Lawrence River. - The **Cornwall Canal (1843-1959)** was built to bypass the **Long Sault Rapids**, which once posed a major navigation hazard. - With the opening of the **St. Lawrence Seaway in 1959**, large vessels could bypass the rapids using **modern locks**, eliminating the need for the canal. - Today, large **Great Lakes freighters ("lakers") and ocean-going vessels ("salties")** pass Cornwall regularly en route to the **Great Lakes and Atlantic Ocean**. #### **Diving & Shipwrecks** - The **Lost Villages**: When the St. Lawrence Seaway was built, several towns and villages were **flooded** to create a navigable channel. These **submerged towns** remain **underwater ghost villages**, drawing interest from divers. - **Sunken canal structures and old lock systems** from the **Cornwall Canal** can still be explored. - **Historic wreck sites** may exist near former rapids and industrial areas. #### **Tourism & Attractions** - **St. Lawrence Power Development Visitor Centre** – Explores the history of hydroelectric power and Seaway construction. - **The Lost Villages Museum** – Preserves the history of communities that were flooded for the Seaway. - **Long Sault Parkway** – A scenic drive connecting **islands that were formed when the Seaway flooded low-lying areas**. - **Akwesasne Mohawk Cultural Sites** – Explore **Indigenous history, art, and traditions**. - **Cornwall Waterfront Trail** – A great place to **watch ships pass on the St. Lawrence Seaway**. #### **Environmental & Navigational Challenges** - **Water Level Management**: The **International Joint Commission** regulates water flow for hydroelectric dams and navigation. - **Strong Currents**: Some areas near Cornwall have **swift-moving water**, requiring caution for boaters and divers. - **Winter Shipping Closures**: The Seaway **closes in late December**, affecting local trade and tourism. ### **Why It Matters** Cornwall is **one of the most historically significant cities along the St. Lawrence Seaway**, with deep ties to **shipping, industry, and Indigenous heritage**. Its role in the **Lost Villages, Seaway expansion, and hydroelectric power production** makes it a vital point of interest for those studying the impact of maritime development on **Canadian communities and waterways**.