Downtown Gananoque Ontario http://www.downtowngananoque.com Welcome to Downtown Gananoque nestled in the heart of the 1000 Islands, a beautiful historic town with a vast waterfront. Come to shop, dine or plan a vacation, we can accommodate you. Browse our brand new website you will be able to find the business to serve your needs, find out about upcoming events or read up on local news. Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:53:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 “LIKE” us on Facebook http://www.downtowngananoque.com/news/like-us-on-facebook/ http://www.downtowngananoque.com/news/like-us-on-facebook/#comments Fri, 23 Mar 2012 19:53:08 +0000 Terry http://www.downtowngananoque.com/?p=1648 You can check us out on our Facebook page at

Gananoque BIA for up to the minute happenings!

]]> http://www.downtowngananoque.com/news/like-us-on-facebook/feed/ 0 LOOKING FOR GREEN THUMBS! http://www.downtowngananoque.com/news/looking-for-green-thumbs/ http://www.downtowngananoque.com/news/looking-for-green-thumbs/#comments Thu, 15 Mar 2012 18:57:44 +0000 Terry http://www.downtowngananoque.com/?p=1618 The Downtown Gananoque BIA, together with the Gananoque Youth Centre (GYC) and the Town of Gananoque Parks and Recreation Department, is seeking a creative partners to assist in re-designing the “GYC Garden” located on King St E.  We are looking for an attractive, low-maintenance re-design of this prominent green-space, and for creative ways to involve the GYC’s members in its planting and upkeep. Current ideas are to incorporate a rain barrel and/or an organic compost container and/or an earth worm farm.

The garden contains many perennials, but needs a low-maintenance, colourful overhaul that will be visually appealing to motorists and pedestrians travelling along King Street. The partners have applied for funding to assist with the expenses of this project.  Please submit your interest and ideas to the Gananoque BIA at bia@downtowngananoque.com or by calling 613-382-9900.

]]> http://www.downtowngananoque.com/news/looking-for-green-thumbs/feed/ 0 History of the Tourism Office http://www.downtowngananoque.com/heritage/history-of-the-tourism-office/ http://www.downtowngananoque.com/heritage/history-of-the-tourism-office/#comments Wed, 28 Apr 2010 17:10:11 +0000 Terry http://www.downtowngananoque.com/?p=539

Originally the building you see on our home page was very likely built as early as the 1840s and by 1863, a hotel occupied the premises. Originally called The Albion Hotel, it was owned and operated by Bernard Shiels.  Mrs Shiels was in charge of the cuisine and the establishment boasted splendid meals with a reputation extending far beyond the confines of Gananoque. Mrs. Shiel’s full course dinners were 25 cents, with an extra helping if desired.

Room rates remained at a dollar a day when Mr. W.S.Lloyd became proprietor during the 1890s under the new name The Victoria Hotel.

The Thousand Islands Railway’s main station and staging yards was located amid a typical 1800s and early 1900s scene of industrial activity, negating the beauty and charm of the area has today. But the hotel’s location was ideal for passengers departing trains uptown at the nearby “Umbrella”.

Upon ceasing hostelry operations in 1906, The Jones Shovel Co. took over the Victoria Hotel building for its offices and remained there until 1963, when it announced they would close operations after 111 years. The local historical society of the day persuaded the Town to purchase the building and opened it as the town museum in June 1964.

The museum closed in 1998, museum inventory, for the most part, remaining in storage and the building was closed to the public until 2001 when the Chamber of Commerce opened the Visitor Services Center. Presently, the Gananoque Business Improvement Area and Thousand Islands Accommodation Partners share the second floor offices with the Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Services Administration.

John Nalon,
President Gananoque Historical Society

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