Campbellford and the Ranney Gorge – Home of the Biggest Toonie
If you find yourself along the Highway 7 corridor and are looking for a quick but worthwhile road trip stop-off, I strongly recommend Campbellford. The quaint town offers two worthwhile attractions, a beautiful view of the Ranney Gorge and a Giant Toonie!
Table of Contents
Geography
Situated between the 401 and Highway 7, this mid-sized town sits on the Trent River in the heartland of agricultural Canada. That same river spills into Lake Ontario, downstream to the south.
A Brief History and Town Name
The town dates from 1834, and was a relatively wealthy settlement. It was well positioned on the Trent and Severn Canal route and later by the early 20th century became an important hub for hydroelectrical power generation.
The name comes from a plot of land owned by two brothers by the name of Campbell in the 1830s. Their land encompassed both sides of the Trent River, each living on a side. In between, on the river, a shallow area became known as Campbell’s Ford. Hence the named Campbellford!
Attractions
The town has a few notable attractions, and is a popular stop-off in fall when the leaves turn, especially around the gorge.
Trent-Severn Waterway, Locks 11-12 (Ranney Falls)
This relatively large set of locks on the Trent River are located beside the Ranney George. It once bypassed Ranney falls. Parks Canada has installed Muskoka chairs so that you can enjoy views of the river. Today the canal is used for pleasure craft, especially in summer!
Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge and Hydroelectric Facility
A steel suspension bridge fords the Trent River at the hydroelectric plant, connecting to a trailhead. This is a beautiful place in the fall.
The hydro plant itself dates from 1910, taking the excess flow in from what was once Ranney falls. THe facility dates from 1910 with an extraction added in 1994.
Along the riverbank you will find old mills and industrial complexes, now in ruins.
The path culminate at a small waterfall.
Giant Toonie
The worlds largest Toonie, a Canadianism for a 2 dollar coin, can be found on the left bank of the Trent River opposite to the town itself. The gold and silver coin’s iconic polar bear art was created by artist Brent Townsend Campbellford, a resident of the city. The statue itself mesures just over 8.2 meters (27 feet) Since 1997 the town has been recognized by the Canadian Mint as the home of the Toonie.
Campbellford
Known for its Victorian homes, the town itself is pretty but relatively small. Structures of note are the beautiful town hall, with its coper roof, clock tower and masonry walls as well as the old fire house.
Most businesses can be found on Front Street, the main thoroughfare, where the Campbellford/Seymour Heritage Centre will be found. This is the local history museum, housed in an older stone structure.
Conclusion
Driving out from Campbellford, I came across a field filled with bison. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the post, but I was strange wo see an animal so closely associated with the west, grazing on an Ontario field.
