Loyalist Bath – One of the Oldest Communities in Ontario
The tiny town of Bath located in the heart of Loyalist Township is a rather impressive relic of its time. Bath was first settled in 1784 by a handful of British Subjects called the Loyalists, refugees of the American War of Independence. The lakefront community is considered to be one of the oldest in what was Upper Canada, now Ontario. Located south of Kingston it is an easy stop off on your way to Prince Edward County.
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What to do in Bath
The tiny town of Bath is worth visiting for its quaint Loyalist Charm and olden character. Although tiny there are a few architectural gems to discover. Below are but a few of the things you can do in town.
Explore St John’s Anglican Church and Cemetery
Located on the road into the city (from the north), this historic slice of land is one of the first that you will see from the roadway into town. The distinctive white buildings surrounded by an ancient graveyard is an considered to be one of the oldest Anglican churches in Ontario, dating from 1793. A nearby historic marker speaks of the Reverend John Langhorn, the tireless man who helped push for the building of this building. He was one of Upper Canada’s first missionaries and a proud loyalist driven out of New York State.
Stop at the Bath Museum to Trace Back the City’s History
The grandest building in this city is surely the Bath Museum and Visitors center is located on Main Street. The colonnaded building dates from 1861 and offers displays tracing back life in this rural region of Upper Canada.
Fun Fact From the Museum: Bath was originally named Ernesttown, a reference to Ernest Augustus, one of the children of King George III.
Visit the Fairfield-Gutzeit House and the Lafarge 1812 Center
Built in 1796, this complex of buildings belonged to two brothers William Jr. and Benjamin. Today they have been repurposed to tell the story of the Flight of the HMS Royal George, a royal navy ship pursued by an americium squadron hellbent on its destruction. The boat slipped past Bath on its way to Kingston, arousing the fighting spirit of the old Loyalists.
The Americans burned small craft in the town before pursuing the Royal George into Kingston Harbor itself leading to a small engagement before their retreat to Sackets Harbour. The ship would live to sail another day and it would survive the war.
Stop at Finkle’s Shore Park for a Lakeside Picnic
This beautiful shoreline park opposite Amherst Island offers the weary traveller a place to rest their legs while admiring the waters of Lake Ontario. Home to an old wooden gazebo and tables it is a perfect place to sped lunch!
