The Blue Mountains, Ontario

The Blue Mountains
Town (lower-tier)
Town of The Blue Mountains

Thornbury harbour from the Royal Harbour Resort
The Blue Mountains
Coordinates: 44°29′N 80°23′W / 44.483°N 80.383°W / 44.483; -80.383Coordinates: 44°29′N 80°23′W / 44.483°N 80.383°W / 44.483; -80.383
Country Canada
Province Ontario
County Grey
Formed January 1, 2001
Government
 • Mayor John F. McKean
 • Federal riding Simcoe—Grey
 • Prov. riding Simcoe—Grey
Area[1]
 • Land 287.23 km2 (110.90 sq mi)
Population (2011)[1]
 • Total 6,453
 • Density 22.5/km2 (58/sq mi)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
Postal Code N0H 2P0
Area code(s) 519 & 226
Highways  Highway 26
Website www.thebluemountains.ca

The Blue Mountains is a town in Grey County, southwestern Ontario, Canada, located where the Beaver River flows into Nottawasaga Bay. It is named for the Blue Mountain, and hence the economy of the town is centred on tourism, particularly on the Blue Mountain ski resort and the private Craigleith and Alpine Ski Clubs.

The town was formed on January 1, 2001, when the Town of Thornbury was amalgamated with the Township of Collingwood. Thornbury is home to the architecturally unique L.E. Shore Memorial Library, named after the founding partner of the architectural practice of Shore Tilbe Irwin + Partners, and designed by the firm.

The Bruce Trail passes through sections of the town. The Kolapore area for mountain biking and cross-country skiing, Metcalfe Rock which is popular with rock climbers as well as the Duncan Crevice Caves Nature Reserve are in the area as well.

During the Southern Ontario Tornado Outbreak of 2009, a tornado passed through the Blue Mountains area on August 20. The F2 tornado passed by Thornbury and hit Craigleith before moving out onto Georgian Bay.

Ravenna is the setting for the novel Ravenna Gets by author Tony Burgess.

Recreation

The Blue Mountains has a host recreational activities for all the seasons. Most notably is the winter Skiing, Snowboarding, Snowshoeing and Cross-country Skiing. In the summer there is hiking, downhill/cross-country biking, an extravagant mini putt,[2] the Ridge Runner[3] and events such as Met Con Blue.[4] If physical activities are not what you are looking for, The Village at Blue Mountain[5] has a plethora of boutiques, coffee shops, restaurants, hotels and chalets, as well as golf courses within walking distance. Less than a 5-minute drive away there is the Scandinave Spa[6] which situated on 25 acres of natural Ontario birch, as well as the Scenic Caves[7] for those who want to experience a different kind of adventure.

Craigleith Provincial Park is located along Highway 26 near Blue Mountain resort.

Communities

The primary population centre is Thornbury. Additionally the town's territory also includes the communities of Banks, Collingwood, Camperdown, Castle Glen Estates, Christie Beach, Clarksburg, Craigleith, Duncan, Gibraltar, Swiss Meadows, Heathcote, Kolapore, Little Germany, Lora Bay, Loree, Ravenna, Red Wing, Slabtown, and Victoria Corners.

Thornbury

Thornbury was first incorporated in 1831 and divided from Collingwood Township in 1887 as a separate administration.[8] This existed until 2001 when it remerged with Collingwood Township to form The Blue Mountains municipality. The town was a shipping and processing centre for local agricultural produce especially apples through its harbour on Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. A small fishing fleet operated from the harbour. The coming of the railroad in 1855 further expanded trade and made the town a desirable summer resort for the wealthy from Toronto. Many large late nineteenth century houses on tree lined streets characterize the town suburbs.[9] Thornbury is home to the architecturally unique L.E. Shore Memorial Library, built in 1995 and named after the founding partner of the architectural practice of Shore Tilbe Irwin + Partners who designed it.[10]

Demographics

Canada census – The Blue Mountains, Ontario community profile
2011 2006
Population: 6453 (-5.5% from 2006) 6825 (11.6% from 2001)
Land area: 287.23 km2 (110.90 sq mi) 286.78 km2 (110.73 sq mi)
Population density: 22.5/km2 (58/sq mi) 23.8/km2 (62/sq mi)
Median age: 50.6 (M: 50.1, F: 51.0)
Total private dwellings: 6200 5619
Median household income: $59,061
References: 2011[1] 2006[11] earlier[12]

Population trend:[13]

Historical populations
YearPop.±%
19915,036—    
19965,667+12.5%
20016,116+7.9%
20066,825+11.6%
20116,453−5.5%
Canada 2006 Census Population % of Total population
Visible minority group
Source:[14] 		South Asian 0 0
Chinese 10 0.1
Black 15 0.2
Filipino 0 0
Latin American 0 0
Southeast Asian 0 0
Other visible minority 25 0.4
Total visible minority population 50 0.7
Aboriginal group
Source:[14] 		First Nations 0 0
Métis 15 0.2
Inuit 0 0
Total Aboriginal population 15 0.2
White 6,675 91.9
Total population 6,750 100

Notable residents

Images

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "The Blue Mountains census profile". 2011 Census of Population. Statistics Canada. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
  2. ↑ Cascade Putting Course
  3. ↑ Ridge Runner Mountain Coaster
  4. ↑ Met Con Blue Mountain Adventure Race
  5. ↑ Blue Mountain Village
  6. ↑ Scandinave Spa Blue Mountain
  7. ↑ Scenic Caves Nature Adventures
  8. ↑ "Thornbury BIA - 3". www.thornbury.ca. Retrieved 2016-07-11.
  9. ↑ "WE USED TO HAVE A RAILWAY RUNNING THROUGH THORNBURY" (PDF). http://beavervalleyprobus.com/. Retrieved July 2016. Check date values in: |access-date= (help); External link in |publisher= (help)
  10. ↑ "The Leonard E. Shore Memorial Library: A Living Legacy" (PDF). THE BLUE MOUNTAINS PUBLIC LIBRARY. 30 Nov 2012.
  11. ↑ "2006 Community Profiles". Canada 2006 Census. Statistics Canada. March 30, 2011. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
  12. ↑ "2001 Community Profiles". Canada 2001 Census. Statistics Canada. February 17, 2012.
  13. ↑ Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006 census
  14. 1 2 "Blue Mountains, Ontario (Town) Census Subdivision". Community Profiles, Canada 2006 Census. Statistics Canada.
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