Hilton Beach, Ontario
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hilton Beach is a small incorporated village of 2.4km² and about 200 residents located on the northeastern shore of St. Joseph Island in the North Channel of Lake Huron, Ontario, Canada. It is located approximately 60 km from Sault Ste. Marie.
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[edit] History
The area which is now known as Hilton Beach had its origins in the 1850s when a wharf was first built. By the 1860s, fourteen families had settled in the area, including the Trainors, Rousseaus, Gordons, Bishops and Desjardins.
John Marks came to St. Joseph Island in the 1860s to settle at Sailors Encampment. He moved to the area that would become Hilton Beach in 1872. Marks opened a store and a wood dock, and, six years later, opened a post office under the name of Marksville. The year previous, a school was established. In 1881, St. John's Anglican Church, which is standing to this day, was erected.
J. Archibald built a hotel in 1879, originally called The Ottawa House. It was moved to its current site in 1890. Other businesses included Bowker's General Store, Duncan's General Store, R. Chester's shoemaker shop, and the sawmill operated by Dean and Davis. J.C. Cooper was a wagon maker, and T. Steinburg was the blacksmith, who operated out of the white concrete building still standing today on Hilton Road.
A.G. Duncan, D. McPhail and John Marks were justices. The village was called Marksville until June 1, 1921, when it was changed to Hilton Beach. Two years later the village separated from Hilton Township and became St. Joseph Island's first village.
Hilton Beach has done a good job of retaining its history, and most of the historical buildings are still being used today. The community hall, renovated in 1989, was originally built in 1896 and used as a schoolhouse until the 1960s. The old town hall, built in 1916, was used as a violin workshop for several years and is now for sale.
The Hilton Beach General Store is over 100 years old and is the landmark in Hilton Beach. Several generations of children have sat on the bench out front enjoying an ice cream cone on a hot summer day.
The Hilton Beach jail, perhaps the most interesting historical building in the village, never actually housed an inmate. The tiny building, barely measuring 20' by 20', actually housed the Hilton Beach Library for several years in the 1920s. The library now stands in another quaint, historical building on Marks Street.
[edit] Tourism and Recreation
Hilton Beach has been a popular tourist destination since the early 1900s. Several families from Michigan, Ohio, California and Florida have been spending their summers in and around Hilton Beach since the 1920s.
Today, the village attracts visitors primarily from Sault Ste. Marie and southern Ontario, as well as Michigan.
The village's location on Lake Huron makes it a very popular boating destination. The Hilton Beach Marina has over 180 slips (that's just about one for every resident in town) and welcomes hundreds of transient boaters every summer. The excellent sailing in the St. Joseph Channel is the main attraction for many seasonal residents and tourists. The Marina operates from May through October.
The Hilton Beach Tourist Park, a tent and trailer park, has been a landmark in the village since the 1950s. The Park welcomes back dozens of seasonal residents every summer and is a community unto itself during peak season.
[edit] Businesses
Businesses in Hilton Beach today include: Country Living Bed and Breakfast, Hilton Beach Tourist Park, Hilton Beach Inn, Cranberry Lane, Hilton Beach General Store, Trash and Treasures, Tim-Br Mart Hilton Beach, Canada Post, Changes Hair Salon, Desert Rose Landscaping, Grace Library, Hilton Beach Marina, Hilton Union Public Library, Hilton Web Connection CAP Site, The Dry Dock Restaurant, Tilt'n Hilton Steakhouse and Bev. Co., David Porter, CMA, Desjardin Construction, Fleming's Trucking and Logging, Lake-level Dock Systems, Mountain's Edge Wood Shop, Nick's Automotive, Pollari Contracting, Ray Guchue Logging, Rod Wessell and Son Contracting, Stevens Brothers Contracting
[edit] Events
Arts at the Dock - One of the largest and longest-running multimedia art shows in the district. It celebrates its 20th year in 2006. Held annually on the third Sunday of July.
Hilton Beach Summer Festival - A classic car show with about 50 cars, plus arts and crafts vendors and the Coureurs de Bois encampment. Held annually on the fourth Saturday of July.
Hilton Beach Community Night - An annual event that has been held for over 100 years in various forms. For the past few decades, it has included a cold plate supper, followed by a parade down Hilton Road and Marks Street. After the parade, a crowd numbering in the high hundreds plays various games of chance and enjoys BBQed food along Marks Street until dark.
PMG Can Am CL16 Regatta - This Regatta will enter its 3rd year in 2006. Up to 30 CL16s will take to the water to compete in five races over two days for a $7500 prize purse. Held annually on the Saturday and Sunday after the civic holiday weekend in August.
Old Town Hall Concerts - This annual series of three concerts will enter its 11th year in 2006. This series is well-known for bringing in some of Canada's best musical talent. Usually held on the first three Wednesdays of August.
[edit] Government
The reeve of the village is Jack Hore. Councilors include Jane Sullivan, Lavera Crack, Robert Hope and Wilfred Stevens. The Village Clerk is Gloria Fischer.
