Bracebridge, Ontario

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This article is about Bracebridge in Ontario, Canada. See Bracebridge Heath for the Bracebridge in Lincolnshire, UK. Bracebridge is also a suburb of Lincoln (also in Lincolnshire, UK).

Bracebridge (2001 population 13,751) is a town and the seat of the Muskoka District Municipality of Ontario, Canada.

The town was built around a waterfall on the Muskoka River in the centre of town, and is known for its other nearby waterfalls (Wilson's Falls, High Falls, etc). It was first incorporated in 1875. It was named after a book, Bracebridge Hall by Washington Irving, that the postmaster in charge of naming towns was reading at the time. The same novel also provided the name for nearby Gravenhurst.

The town is the seat of the district government, a centre of tourism for the Muskoka area, and home to several historical sites, such as the Inn at the Falls, Woodchester Villa, and the Silver Bridge, which joins Manitoba Street with Ecclestone Drive. The Silver Bridge was repaired in 2002. Bracebridge is also the home of the Muskoka Cottage Brewery.

As of the Municipal Elections in November, 2006, Don Coates is the current Mayor.

1 Attractions and venues
2 Education
3 Media
4 Notable people of Bracebridge
5 External links

[edit] Attractions and venues

Bracebridge is the home of Santa's Village, a Christmas theme park, established in 1955. Interestingly, the town is at 45 degrees latitude, halfway between the Equator and the North Pole.

Located just outside of Bracebridge is Spring Dale Park, which is the sketchiest road in Muskoka, according to local resident Brandon Oliver

[edit] Education

Bracebridge is served by several elemetary schools, and two high schools: Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School, and St. Dominic Catholic Secondary School.

Nipissing University and Georgian College have a shared satellite campus in the town.

There are also many summer camps and outdoor education centers around Bracebridge, notably Camp Muskoka.

[edit] Media

Bracebridge is served by the local radio station, CFBG 99.5FM, which is a contemporary hit radio format. Local newspapers include Bracebridge Examiner, District Weekender, Muskoka Sun and Muskoka Advance.