Amherstview, Ontario

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Amherstview is an unincorporated hamlet of the Corporation of Loyalist Township, in the province of Ontario. Amherstview is nestled on the shore of Lake Ontario and has a population of approximately 6,000. It borders the city of Kingston. Amherstview is named for its picturesque view of Amherst Island, visible directly to the south in Lake Ontario. When the community was first established in the 1950's, it was known as "Amherst View".

The community is the Eastern Gate of the Loyalist Parkway, a stretch of Highway 33 that travels along Lake Ontario, in an area in which many United Empire Loyalists settled.

Since Amherstview is officially part of Loyalist Township, Amherstview has no legal boundaries. It is generally agreed that the hamlet is bounded by Lake Ontario to the south, the Canadian National rail line to the north, Coronation Boulevard to the west (the City of Kingston boundary), and Lennox and Addington County Road 6 to the east.

[edit] The Hon. William J. Henderson (Founder of Amherstview)

The Honourable William J. Henderson, MBE, QC, LLD, CD (1916 - 2006) founded Amherstview and ultimately served as a justice of the Supreme Court of Ontario. After returning from active service in World War II, Judge Henderson recognized that returning servicemen would require affordable housing and would prefer fully detached new homes on decent sized lots. Looking out over property he owned west of Kingston that he was planning to develop as a subdivision, he determined that the land's best quality was its beautiful view of Amherst Island on Lake Ontario. Judge Henderson was an active developer and philanthropist. As a member of Parliament for Kingston and the Islands he was influential in developing the Kingston Memorial Centre. He donated the land to build the W.J. Henderson Recreation Centre on Amherst Drive in Amherstview, recognized as one of the finest community recreation facilities in the area.

[edit] Ryan Malcolm (Winner: Canadian Idol 1)

The family of Ryan Malcolm (winner of Canadian Idol 1) operate a restaurant in Amherstview. Ryan performed regularly at the restaurant prior to his Idol win.