This pretty city of 6,000 people is name after the city in Scotland, which also lies on the River Tay. Perth was established as a military settlement for soldiers retired after the War of 1812, and was the site of Canada’s last recorded duel in 1833. Today Perth is the gateway to the Rideau Lakes cottage region and the Rideau Canal, and a common “pit stop” on the Highway 7 Trans-Canada Southern Route between Toronto and Ottawa. Perth is 33 kilometres west of Carleton Place, and 57 km west of the 417 main Trans-Canada Route.
Perth thrives as a tourist destination, drawing visitors with its historic charm, its Scottish heritage, local festivals, nearby recreational opportunities. The town’s commitment to preserving its heritage has led to its designation as a National Historic District.
Perth History
Perth was founded by Scottish immigrants in 1816. These first settlers were members of the British military who fought in the War of 1812 and were offered land grants in the area as a reward for their service. The town’s name is believed to have been inspired by the town of Perth in Scotland. Perth quickly grew into a regional center along the Tay River for commerce, trade, and agriculture.
In the 820s, the construction of the Rideau Canal was a major engineering project led by Lieutenant Colonel John By, further boosted the town’s importance. The canal was built to provide a military transportation route between Lake Ontario at Kingston and the Ottawa River at Ottawa (avoiding American guns and ships along the Ontario-New York path of the St Lawrence River). The Rideau Canal passed through Perth using the Tay River and the Rideau Lakes as part of its path.
The town’s charm and historic architecture includes many of the well-preserved original stone buildings from the 1800s. Notable landmarks include the 1863 Perth Town Hall, , and the Matheson House, now a museum showcasing local history and artifacts.
Throughout the 1800s and 1900s, Perth’s economy was centered around agriculture, logging, and various small industries. Perth was a regional market and trade center.
Perth Events and Festivals
Perth has a strong cultural heritage and is known for its annual Stewart Park Music Festival, with a diverse range of musical performances. The Perth Fair is an agricultural and entertainment event on the Labour Day weekend and has been held since 1845 (and is the oldest fair in Ontario)
Perth Attractions
Mammoth Cheese
28 Drummond St E, Perth, ON K7H 1E9
This is a model of a 9,.979 kg (22,000 lb) block of cheese made by Eastern Ontario dairy farmers for exhibition at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The original block was sold to a British importer after the fair.
Perth Museum
11 Gore St E, Perth, ON K7H 1H4
613-267-1947
website
This museum, hosed in the 1840 Matheson House shows a period Georgian garden and three rooms furnished for the period for an upper-class family. Exhibits include the history of Canadian whiskey, a piece of the mammoth Cheese, the pistols used in the 1833 duel, and artifacts of the Rideau Lakes first nations. People. Allow 30 minutes. Open Mon-Sat 10 am t 5pm, Sunday 1 pm to 4 pm, closed holidays. Admission.
Murphys Point Provincial Park
2243 Elm Grove Rd, Perth, ON K7H 3C7
(12 km southwest of Perth)
(613) 267-5060
Website
This park on the Rideau waterway offers camping, swimming and boating. The park includes several historic buildings, and abandoned mine, and farmstead and a saw mill ruin. Also 15 km of self-guided hiking trails.
Blueberry Mountain Hiking Trail
Maberly-Elphin Road, Maberly, ON, K0H 2B0
about 54 km north of Perth, via #511
Website
Just outside of Maberly, this hiking trail offers beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. The trail is approximately 2.5 km long (each way) and is suitable for all skill levels. (allow 1/5 hours)
