midland on
Great-Lakes-Sailing.com
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Midland, ON Lat: 44° 45.258 Long: 072° 53.428 |
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DESCRIPTION Midland ON is an area that is soaked in Ontario history. Long the home of the Wendat or Huron First Nation, this became the site of the first permanent European settlement in Ontario. Ste. Marie Among the Hurons was established by Jesuit missionaries in 1639. Destroyed in 1649 during the wars with the Iroquiois, thissite has been faithfully reconstructed and now attracts scholars and visitors from around the world. With the destruction of Ste. Marie, European presence all but disappeared. However, by the late 1700's, British military officers had travelled throughout the area. A naval base was constructed in nearby Penetanguishene. Following the War of 1812, settlers began to move into the area. In 1871, Midland was selected as the northern terminus of a railroad linking Georgian bay to Lake Ontario at Port Hope. This transformed Midland, as it became a very important grain transhipment point and the community experienced significant growth. During World War II, Midland ON became a shipbuilding centre which lasted into the mid-1950's. The economy today is broadly diversified and tourism is a large and important sector. It is an amateur historian's delight to explore. |
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APPROACHES Midland ON lies at the head of Midland Bay. The approaches to Midland are clear and unobstructed. Take note of the charted Midland Shoal marked with a Fl RED light. |
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MARINAS, YACHT CLUBS, MOORINGS, ANCHORAGES Midland Harbour (705) 526-4210 VHF 68 Midland Harbour is the municipal dock. Owned by the town, it has over 4 dozen slips plus berthing along its 2 665 ft/187 m seawalls. There is no fuel dock or pumpout station. There are restrooms, showers and laundry facilities available in the Administration Building. Amenities include covered picnic areas and internet service. The downtown commercial district is steps away. Central Marin (705) 526-4251 VHF 68 Central Marine is located adjacent to the town docks. They have 96 slips with many available for transient sailors. There is a fuel dock (gasoline only) and a pumpout station. This is a full-service marina with certified mechanics able to carry out engine, electrical, mechanical, fibreglass and prop repairs. Water and power are available at each slip. There are washrooms and shower facilities. There is also a well-stocked ship's store. The downtown is steps away. Bay Port Yachting Centre (705) 527-7678 Bay Port Yachting Centre is located in the northwest corner of Midland Bay. This is a large marina with over 700 slips.There are 4 dozen+ slips for transient sailors. There is a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline) and pumpout is available at every slip. This is a full-service marina, capable of carrying out a full range of engine, mechanical, electrical, fibreglass and canvas repairs. Each slip has water, power and power hookups. There are washrooms and showers (35!) and laundry facilities. There is a large, well-stocked chandlery. Additional amenities include a heated swimming pool, decks, gazebos and picnic grounds. Wye Heritage Marina (705) 526-0155 VHF 68 Wye Heritage Marina is located at the head of Tiffin Bay. Tiffin Bay is south of Midland Bay, about 1.5 nm from Midland Harbour. This is a large marina with 800 slips. There are 100 slips set aside for transient sailors. There is a fuel dock (diesel and gasoline) and pumpout service at each slip. This is a full-service marina capable of carrying out engine, mechanical, electrical, and fibreglass repairs. There is water and power. There are 26 washrooms with showers and laundry facilities. There is a lounge with internet access and a ship's store. They also offer a free shuttle service to downtown Midland 5 mi/8 km away. Anchorage There is an anchorage on the north shore of Midland Bay. The anchorage ground is north of Bay Port Yachting Centre, in front of Gawley Park. |
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REPAIRS & MAINTENANCE, PROVISIONING, BANKS/ATM's Bay Port Yachting Centre (See above) Central Marine (See above) Wye Heritage Marina (See above) Ciboulette Et Cie is a 'food shop' that specializes in local farm-fresh products. They also have a cafe featuring great coffee and mouth-watering, freshly-made soups, salads and more. It's located about 2 blocks from the municipal marina. Valu Mart is a full-service grocery store located about 4 blocks from the municipal marina. Several major banks are located in Midland. The closest to the municipal marina is the Bank of Montreal, located about 3 blocks from the municipal marina. |
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MEDICAL SERVICES Georgian Bay Hospital (705) 526-1300 islocated about 1.5 mi/3 km from the municipal marina. Arcade and Jory Pharmacy (705) 526-8011 islocated about .25 mi/.5 km from the municipal marina. |
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PLACES TO EAT Ciboulette Et Cie has a delighful cafe for light lunches and great coffee. The Library Restaurant is an upscale dining establishment located in a beautifully restored original Carnegie Library. Downstairs is the quaint, intimate Study Lounge For a bit of exotica, check out the Explorers Cafe for meals and drinks from around the world. Out by Wye Heritage Marine is Henry's South. Henry's seafood restaurants (the other one is on Frying Pan Island in Georgian Bay) are famous with boaters. It is a top-notch seafood restaurant with a casual atmosphere and great views out over the marina and the bay. |
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THINGS TO DO/SEE/VISIT There is no shortage of great attractions in Midland. The Martyrs' Shrine is a Roman Catholic church that is a National Shrine to the Jesuits who were killed here in the mid-1600's. This imposing church and its beautiful grounds are open to the public and should not be missed. Across the road from the Shrine is Sainte Marie Among the Hurons. Situated in what the native Hurons called 'Wendake" or 'the land apart', it was here, in 1639, that Jesuit missionaries established a mission 745 mi/1,200 km from the nearest other Europeans in Quebec City. The mission flourished for a decade. However, under repeated assaults from the Iroquois, it was abandonned in 1649. Those Jesuits not killed by the Iroquoisand the remaining Hurons burnt the mission and withdrew ultimately to Quebec. The site lay undisturbed for 3 centuries. (Personal note: As a child, I played on the site, my imagination running wild as I climbed the silent ruin of the sole remaining stone blockhouse). In 1964, a complete reconstruction of the mission was undertaken resulting in today's magnificent site. It is not to be missed! Nearby is the Wye Marsh Wildlife Centre. This protected natural site covers 1,700 acres/675 ha and offers an extensive network of trails and boardwalks to explore. It is an important bird sanctuary. There is a major breeding program here for trumpeter swans. You can take walking tours of downtown Midland and enjoy more than 30 historical murals painted on a variety of buildings. This Midland ON information site will give you ideas of more things to do and see while visiting the area. Return from Midland ON to Georgian Bay Return to Home Page |
