Bracebridge,_Ontario

Bracebridge, Ontario

''This article is about Bracebridge in Ontario, Canada. See Bracebridge Heath for the Bracebridge in Lincolnshire, England. Bracebridge is also a suburb of Lincoln (also in Lincolnshire, England).

Bracebridge (2006 population 15,682) is a town and the seat of the Muskoka District Municipality of Ontario, Canada.

The town was built around a waterfall on the Muskoka River in the centre of town, and is known for its other nearby waterfalls (Wilson's Falls, High Falls, etc). It was first incorporated in 1875. It was named after a book, Bracebridge Hall by Washington Irving, that the postmaster in charge of naming towns was reading at the time. The same novel also provided the name for nearby Gravenhurst.

The town is the seat of the district government, a centre of tourism for the Muskoka area, and home to several historical sites, such as the Inn at the Falls, Woodchester Villa, and the Silver Bridge, which joins Manitoba Street with Ecclestone Drive. The Silver Bridge was repaired in 2002. Bracebridge is also the home of the Muskoka Cottage Brewery.

As of the municipal elections in November, 2006, Don Coates is the current mayor.

History

The character of the town of Bracebridge is shaped by its proximity to Lake Muskoka to which it is connected by 6 miles of the Muskoka River, and by the promise of abundant water power afforded by the great waterfall at the foot of the town. Early growth of the town occurred in proximity to the falls which powered the first factory. The arrival of the Grand Trunk Railway cemented the town's role as a transportation hub for the area.

Modern settlement of the town began in the 1860's, beginning at first with a few log huts. By 1870 the village had a population of about 400, growing to reach a total of about 2,000 by the turn of the 20th century. The village was incorporated in 1875 and became a town under an Act of parliament in 1889.

Newspapers

The first newspaper in Bracebridge was the Northern Advocate begun in 1870 by Thomas McMurray. It was joined in 1872 by the Free Grant Gazette owned by E.F. Stephenson. The Advocate ceased publication in 1874 and was bought out by Stephenson. Competition resumed, however, in 1878 when Mr Gaffe and Mr Oaten founded the Muskoka Herald.

Sports

Bracebridge is home to many various sports teams. Bracebridge minor hockey teams are called the Bears. Bracebridge has a soccer club called the Bracebridge Storm.

The town of Bracebridge built a state of the art Sportsplex in 2006 which contains a rock climbing wall, indoor track, eight-lane swimming pool and fitness studio. The Town partnered with the Muskoka Limberettes Gymnastics Club to create a gymnastics facility in the same building. The Sportsplex is part of the same complex including the Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School and Rene M. Caisse Memorial Theatre.

Attractions and venues

Bracebridge is the home of Santa's Village, a Christmas theme park, established in 1955. It was inspired by the town’s location at 45 degrees latitude, halfway between the equator and the North Pole.

Education

Bracebridge is served by several elementary schools, and two high schools: Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School, and St. Dominic Catholic Secondary School.

Nipissing University and Georgian College have a shared satellite campus in the town. Both Georgian College and Nipissing University have expanded their campuses (2008). Georgian has moved into the former Town swimming pool/recreation centre, the "Centennial Centre" on Wellington Street. Georgian's grand opening date was September 11, 2007. Nipissing University opened it's doors next to Georgian the following year for the 2008 semester.

Media

Bracebridge is served by the local radio station, CFBG 99.5FM, which is a hot adult contemporary format that uses the on-air brand "Moose FM" owned by the Haliburton Broadcasting Group. Local newspapers include Bracebridge Examiner , District Weekender, Muskoka Sun and Muskoka Advance.

New Services

On May 13, 2008, the CRTC announces that it has received an application for a broadcasting licence to provide a commercial radio service to serve Bracebridge and Gravenhurst, Ontario. Broadcasting Public Notice CRTC 2008-42