The Story of Prince Edward County

Indigenous nations have called this region home for over 12,000 years, moving into the newly exposed land after the continent’s last great ice age. The earliest communities were deeply attuned to seasonal cycles, tracking animal migrations and wild plant growth, crafting toolkits that supported both mobility and deep engagement with specific places. Gradually, the development of agriculture around 1100 years ago—corn, beans, and squash (known as the three sisters) enabled people to settle into more permanent villages, supporting population growth and rich social networks.
 

Two prominent Indigenous language families provide the foundation for much of Prince Edward County’s ancient story: Iroquoian and Algonquian.
 

• Iroquoian-speaking Peoples: The Haudenosaunee Confederacy (Six Nations: Mohawk, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca, and Tuscarora) are renowned for their sophisticated political alliances, diplomatic traditions, and agricultural knowledge. The Wendat (Huron) and St. Lawrence Iroquois also shaped the region, particularly through complex trade and kinship ties that reached far into present-day Ontario, Quebec, and the U.S. Northeast.
• Algonquian-speaking Peoples: The Anishinaabe, especially the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg (Mississauga), are most closely associated with the County. Their territory once extended from the northern lakeshores deep into the interior, with oral tradition and archaeological evidence bearing witness to dynamic interactions and overlapping use of land and waterways.
   

Despite shifting boundaries, archaeological sites and oral histories tell of nations meeting, sharing resources, and negotiating space, sometimes collaboratively, sometimes through conflict. These traditions continue in many forms today, as Indigenous communities from across Turtle Island (North America) forge strong ties and call The County home.

European settlers primarily United Empire Loyalists arrived following upheaval during and after the American Revolutionary War (1775-83). Many were refugees, uprooted after siding with Britain and losing their homes to the new American republic. Loyalist migrations reshaped demographics, intersecting with British colonial policy and Indigenous landholding.

From the outset, settlement proceeded through negotiation and, at times, a contentious process. The Royal Proclamation of 1763 recognized Indigenous sovereignty over the land, requiring formal treaties for any new settlements. The aftermath of the war saw Britain seeking refuge and land grants for thousands of Loyalists, Hessian soldiers, and Indigenous allies. The Crawford Purchase of 1783, involving the Mississauga along Lake Ontario’s northern shores, secured the peninsula for European Settlement though records show only fragmentary documentation, and oral histories suggest misunderstandings and contested boundaries from the start. 

Image credit: Library and Archives Canada

Negotiations on Carleton Island brought together figures such as Captain William Crawford, Chief Mynass of the Lake of Two Mountains (present-day Kanehsatake), and representatives from both the Michi Saagiig Nishnaabeg Mississauga and Haudenosaunee nations. The terms of payment of clothing, guns, and trade goods proved insufficient amid ambiguity over land ownership and the worsening pressure on Indigenous families as settlers arrived.

Soon, a tract of land was set aside for Kanyen’kehá:ka (Mohawk) families and allies led by Captain John Deserontyon, founding the community of Kenhtè:ke Kanyen’kehá:ka (Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory) in 1784. Yet, even here, Crown commitments were faltering, Mohawks found settlers encroaching, and, over a few decades, most of the original grant was taken for further settlement. Current land reclamation efforts echo historical pleas for justice and recognition, a resonance that continues to shape local relationships.

It’s vital to appreciate that many Loyalist and Mohawk families were already interconnected in New York State through marriage, commerce, and everyday life. These relationships persist, bridging the past and present as communities navigate questions of land, belonging, and kinship.

The shape of rural life in the County evolved as forest was cleared and communities emerged. By the early 19th century, new villages sprang from sawmills and lumber camps. Churches and hotels quickly followed, alongside an array of trades—from blacksmiths to dressmakers integrating economic and social life in close-knit settlements. The boundary between commercial and domestic spaces was often blurred, as many people worked from home or operated multiple trades.

Education quickly became central. One-room schoolhouses appeared wherever there were at least 20 students, reflecting a commitment to literacy and opportunity even in isolated hamlets. By the late 19th century, close to a hundred dotted the County’s landscape; the consolidation of Wellington’s school in 1922 marked the push toward modern educational infrastructure, complete with libraries and science labs—a sign of changing times and expanding horizons.

Prince Edward County’s prosperity hinged on adapting to new opportunities and overcoming adversity. The lumber boom of the 19th century drove the creation of shipyards, as timber exports sustained a lively economy and vessels were built for later uses in fishing and grain. The harsh waters of Lake Ontario are infamous for shipwrecks over 300 are rumoured to lie beneath its surface adding to the region’s maritime mystique.

Railways further changed the region, linking towns from Picton to Trenton and offering new paths for goods and people. The line, now transformed into the Millennium Trail, is a living reminder of changing technology and infrastructure. Barley and hops once made the County a hub for the beer industry, exporting produce across the lake. Trade barriers like the McKinley Tariff of 1890 forced local farmers to pivot, spurring the “Garden County of Canada” era. Tomatoes, peas, and pumpkins replaced earlier crops so much so that canning industries flourished, employing generations of families, especially women and youth. These stories are preserved in collections like the Douglas Crawford Canning Collection, which offer insight into working life, technological progress, and community resilience during times of economic change.

Central Ontario Railway schedule from 1910. Image credit: Central Hastings Historical Society

As transportation improved and leisure culture grew, Prince Edward County gained fame for its natural beauty and summer resorts. Places like Lakeshore Lodge and Massassauga Point Hotel attracted visitors from Toronto and Rochester. Resort life dance halls, boating, luxurious accommodations sparked an enduring tourism tradition. Sandbanks Provincial Park, now one of Ontario’s most popular, has further shaped local identity by drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors every year and expanding opportunities for recreation, conservation, and cultural celebration.

This overview is just the beginning. Museums, archives, and heritage groups strive to protect and share stories that capture the unique spirit of the County. Every community, every family, and every newcomer adds new chapters to the region’s living history, building toward a future that honours both its deep roots and evolving character.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to connect with local Indigenous communities, attend cultural events, volunteer with heritage organizations, or explore historical tours and educational resources. Such participation deepens understanding and fosters respect, sustaining Prince Edward County’s legacy for generations to come.