Port Perry and Lake Scugog – Home to Canada’s Oldest Grain Elevator

February 16, 2024 by admin

Located on the south side of Lake Scugog, the tiny town of Port Perry is easy to miss but hard to take your eyes of when you have finally arrived. Known for its traditional architecture and quaint atmosphere, it is a joy to visit.

History

Surveyed by 1809, and settled starting in the 1820’s, the town is famous for its Victorian downtown core. The town itself was layed out in 1848 by Peter Perry, after which it built a plank road south to Whitby. By 1871 it became a village, becoming serviced by rail in 1872. The town went on became a grain port with its own elevator. It is this elevator and port that would cement the town’s importance. Cargo from throughout northern Ontario was shipped over water by way of the the Trent-Severn Waterway, terminating in Lake Scugog at the site of Port Perry. From there it was then loaded onto the railway to Whitby, where the CP or CN mainlines intersected. Alternatively there were then transferred onto grain ships on Lake Ontario.

Attractions

Grain Elevator and Waterfront

My favorite sight in Port Perry are the “old mills”, what the townspeople referrer to the grain elevator as. In the last few years is has been spared from demolition and stands as Canada’s Oldest Grain Elevator, dating from 1873. Many towns have pretty Victorians buildings but it is this attraction that sets it apart. It is Canada’s Oldest Grain Elevator, and a symbol of the town.

The waterfront itself is nice, especially in summer. You will find a Gazebo and a pier here. One thing I learned while walking around is that the

Victorian Downtown

If you need a beer, stop by the Old Flame Brewing Co, you wont regret it. Good, now that that’s out of the way, what to say of the downtown. Like much of the town it was built from the towns wealth as a reginal shipping hub, with a notable building in the 1873 town hall and the post office. It is this Victorian core that you will find much of the towns cultural spaces, including the performing arts and summer festivals. These include the highland games, fishing contests, farmers markets, Mississauga First Nation Pow Wow and dragon boat among others.