Lost Village

The Lost Villages of Ontario: A Submerged History The Lost Villages refer to a group of communities in Ontario, Canada, that were permanently submerged due to the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway and the accompanying Hydro Electric Power Project in the late 1950s. Located along the St. Lawrence River, near Cornwall, these villages were deliberately flooded as part of the massive engineering project aimed at improving navigation on the river and generating hydroelectric power. Villages Submerged A total of ten communities were either fully or partially submerged. These are often collectively referred to as the Lost Villages, and they include: 1. Aultsville 2. Farran’s Point 3. Moulinette 4. Milles Roches 5. Wales 6. Dickinson’s Landing 7. Woodlands 8. Santa Cruz 9. Maple Grove 10. Sheek’s Island These villages were part of a thriving rural community, home to thousands of residents who farmed, worked, and lived along the St. Lawrence River before their towns were sacrificed for the development of the seaway and power dam. The St. Lawrence Seaway Project The St. Lawrence Seaway, completed in 1958, was a joint project between Canada and the United States. The project aimed to allow larger ships to navigate the St. Lawrence River from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, improving trade routes. To build the seaway, certain sections of the river needed to be widened and deepened. Additionally, the construction of the Moses-Saunders Power Dam required flooding a large portion of land along the river. The decision to flood the area resulted in the displacement of over 6,000 people and the loss of farms, homes, schools, and businesses. To accommodate the residents who were displaced, two new towns were constructed—Ingleside and Long Sault—while other residents moved to nearby communities. The Flooding of the Villages On July 1, 1958, known as “Inundation Day”, water from the St. Lawrence River was diverted into the newly created Lake St. Lawrence, a reservoir formed by the construction of the power dam. Over the course of several hours, the water levels rose, and the villages were slowly submerged. Buildings that could be salvaged were moved to higher ground, but many structures were simply abandoned and left to be overtaken by the rising waters. Roads, railways, and bridges were also relocated or abandoned. Some homes were moved intact to the newly established communities, but many buildings were destroyed, and entire streets vanished beneath the water. What Remains Underwater Although the towns themselves are gone, remnants of the Lost Villages still lie beneath the surface of Lake St. Lawrence. Foundations of buildings, sections of old roadways, and various other artifacts remain submerged. Some of these underwater ruins have become popular destinations for divers, offering a unique glimpse into a world that was submerged over 60 years ago. Preservation of Memory To preserve the history of the Lost Villages, the Lost Villages Museum was established near Long Sault, Ontario. The museum includes several relocated heritage buildings, artifacts, and displays that tell the story of the communities that once thrived along the St. Lawrence River. The museum features: • Restored buildings: Including a schoolhouse, a church, and a general store, which were moved to the museum site before the flooding. • Exhibits and archives: Providing historical information about the Lost Villages and the people who lived there. • Walking tours: Visitors can explore the recreated village and learn about the daily life of the residents before the inundation. In addition to the museum, the Lost Villages Historical Society works to preserve the memories of the villages and provide information to the public through events, publications, and research. Legacy and Impact The flooding of the Lost Villages marks one of the most significant engineering and environmental transformations in Ontario’s history. While it allowed for the creation of the St. Lawrence Seaway and hydroelectric power generation, it also led to the displacement of communities and the permanent alteration of the landscape.