Owen Sound 180488 225473907 2008-07-13T21:50:39Z 72.140.68.162 /* External links */ {{coor title d|44.566667|N|80.933333|W}} <!-- Infobox begins -->{{Infobox Settlement |official_name = City of Owen Sound |native_name = |nickname = The Scenic City |motto = |image_skyline = OwenSoundHarbour.JPG |imagesize = |image_caption = Owen Sound Harbour |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |image_blank_emblem = |blank_emblem_size = |image_map = Owen Sound, Ontario Location.png |mapsize = |map_caption = |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = [[Canada]] |subdivision_type1 = [[Provinces of Canada|Province]] |subdivision_name1 = [[Ontario]] |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = [[Grey County, Ontario|Grey County]] |subdivision_type3 = |subdivision_name3 = |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name4 = |government_type = |leader_title = City Mayor |leader_name = [[Ruth Lovell]] |leader_title1 = Governing Body |leader_name1 = [[Owen Sound City Council]] |leader_title2 = MPs |leader_name2 = [[Larry Miller (politician)|Larry Miller]] |leader_title3 = MPPs |leader_name3 = [[Bill Murdoch]] |established_title = |established_date = |established_title2 = |established_date2 = |established_title3 = |established_date3 = |area_magnitude = |area_total_km2 = 24.22 |area_total_sq_mi = |area_land_km2 = |area_land_sq_mi = |area_water_km2 = |area_water_sq_mi = |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = 25.98 |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = 627.8 |area_metro_sq_mi = |population_as_of = 2006 |population_note = <!-- Does make sense as typed <small>[[Agglomeration|Agglomerated]]: </small> 627.3031,583<br/>Stats Canada--> |settlement_type = |population_total = 21753 |population_density_km2 = 898.1 |population_density_sq_mi = |population_metro = 32259 |population_density_metro_km2 = 51.4 |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = 22649 |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_mi2 = |timezone = Eastern (EST) |utc_offset = -5 |timezone_DST = |utc_offset_DST = |latd=44 |latm=34 |lats= |latNS=N |longd=80 |longm=56 |longs= |longEW=W |elevation_m = <!--Airport:--> 307 |elevation_ft = 1007 |postal_code_type = Postal Code |postal_code = N4K |area_code = [[Area codes 519 and 226|519/226]] |website = [http://www.city.owen-sound.on.ca/ City of Owen Sound] |footnotes = Dwellings: 9,532 dwellings<br/>[[Agglomeration|Agglomerated]] area: 627.30&nbsp;km² (242.2&nbsp;sq&nbsp;mi) }} '''Owen Sound''' ([[Canada 2006 Census|2006 City]] population 21,753; [[Urban Area|UA Population]] 22,649; [[Census Agglomeration|CA Population]] 32, 259), the county seat of [[Grey County, Ontario|Grey County]], is a city in south-western [[Ontario]], [[Canada]]. Owen Sound is located at the mouth of the [[Sydenham River (Lake Huron watershed)|Sydenham River]] on an inlet of [[Georgian Bay]] also named Owen Sound. Owen Sound is one of many cities in Ontario that are well known for receiving large amounts of snowfall because of a phenomenon known as [[lake effect snow]]. Located at the junctions of Ontario Highways [[Highway 6 (Ontario)|6]], [[Highway 10 (Ontario)|10]], [[Highway 21 (Ontario)|21]], and [[Highway 26 (Ontario)|26]], it serves as a gateway to the [[Bruce Peninsula]]. [[Owen Sound Transit]] provides local bus service and specialized transportation for those unable to use the regular transit buses. The city's downtown is located in a deep valley in the [[Niagara Escarpment]]. As home port of the [[Owen Sound Transportation Company Limited]], the inner harbour is where the [[MS Chi-Cheemaun]] car ferry from [[Tobermory, Ontario|Tobermory]] to [[South Baymouth, Ontario|South Baymouth]] is docked during the winter months. The [[sister city]] of Owen Sound is [[Miamisburg, Ohio]]. Owen Sound is the seat of [[Grey Bruce Health Services]] and has the largest hospital (Owen Sound Hospital) in the Grey County and [[Bruce County]] region. == History == There is evidence (from his personal writings) that [[Samuel de Champlain]] travelled through the region and made camp on the eastern hills overlooking what would become the harbour. This area of the upper [[Great Lakes]] was first formally surveyed in 1815 by [[William Fitzwilliam Owen]] and Lieutenant Henry W. Bayfield. The inlet was named "Owen's Sound" in honour of Admiral Sir Edward William Campbell Rich Owen, the explorer Owen's older brother. The city of Owen Sound was originally known as Sydenham when it was first settled in 1841 by [[Charles Rankin]]. Prior to that the area had been inhabited by the [[Ojibwa]]y people. The city gained its current name in 1851 and was incorporated in 1857. For much of its history, Owen Sound was a major port city, known as the "[[Chicago]] of the North". Its location on [[Georgian Bay]] gave it access to the upper Great Lakes, and major rail lines moved cargo south from there. Port duties have declined dramatically since the opening of the [[St. Lawrence Seaway]] allowed shipping directly to the lower lakes and dramatically lowered costs compared to [[transshipment]] via Owen Sound. Being both the gateway to [[cottage country]], and in the heart of Ontario's beef, apple and corn region, farming and tourism are still integral parts of the local economy. At one time, Owen Sound's roaring seaport made it a rowdy town that was known to sailors as "Little [[Liverpool]]". ''Louis' Steakhouse'', a popular upscale restaurant just outside of town, was opened by the Gavaris family in the 1880s and the historic building has changed hands several times since. It was originally a [[brothel]] where the [[madam]] would stand from its castle-like tower and watch the [[port]] for a ship to come in, and she would ready her [[prostitute]]s to excite the [[sailor]]s. This reputation for vice and villainy, and the problems that came with it, caused the city to ban all drinking establishments for several decades. The city was [[prohibition|"dry"]] until 1972. [[Image:BillyBishopMuseum.JPG|thumb|left|Billy Bishop Home/Museum]] [[Image:Chi-Cheemaun in OS 5635m.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[MS Chi-Cheemaun]] in Owen Sound.]] [[Image:Owen Sound Hospital 2007 5672sc.jpg|right|thumb|200px|[[Owen Sound Hospital]].]] One of the city's most famous sons was [[World War I]] [[flying ace]] and [[Victoria Cross]] winner [[Billy Bishop|William Avery "Billy" Bishop]], Canada's leading pilot in the war and a veteran of [[Vimy Ridge]]. Bishop is also one of the few to have tangled with the [[Red Baron]] and survived, forcing the [[Germany|German]] pilot to retreat in a damaged aircraft. The ''[[Owen Sound/Billy Bishop Regional Airport|Billy Bishop Regional Airport]]'' in the nearby Municipality of [[Meaford]] was named after him. His modest gravesite can be visited in the city's Greenwood [[Cemetery]] by those willing to take the time to locate the stone. His boyhood home is now a museum dedicated to his life and to Canada's aviation history. The town was also the home of [[NHL]] Hall-of-Fame goaltender [[Harry Lumley (hockey player)|Harry Lumley]] and the artist [[Tom Thomson]] (buried in the nearby village of [[Leith, Ontario|Leith]]). Surgeon [[Dr. Norman Bethune]], an avowed communist and pioneer of public medicine who gained notoriety in his innovative medical work with the [[China|Chinese]] army during the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]] is an alumnus of [[OSCVI|The Owen Sound Collegiate and Vocational Institute]]. Legendary hockey broadcaster [[Bill Hewitt]] was once sports director of the local AM radio station, [[CFOS (AM)|CFOS]]. Tommy Holmes, another Victoria Cross winner, was also from Owen Sound, and the city's [[armoury]] bears his name. Owen Sound is home of [http://www.summerfolk.org/ SummerFolk Festival], a popular folk festival that takes place annually in August. Summerfolk attracts over 4,000 people annually to the shores of Georgian Bay, specifically Kelso Beach Park located on the West shore of Owen Sound. The festival has run continuously since 1977 and is nationally renowned for its music and craft excellence. Many performers who have played there have gone on to great commercial success, such as [[Leahy]], [[Valdy]], [[The Rankins]] and [[Natalie MacMaster]]. Other more commercial Canadian talent has also graced the stages of summerfolk over the years with the likes of [[Gowan]], [[Rik Emmett]], [[Blue Rodeo]] and [[Bruce Cockburn]]. One of Summerfolk's most famous and revered performers was Stan Rogers. The Main stage features a memorial to Stan and is dedicated to his memory. In 2005 Owen Sound became the National [[Communities in Bloom]] champion in the cities of 20,001-50,000 category in Canada for its beauty, natural landscape, and strong sense of community. ==Culture and Events== [[Image:Owen Sound Festival of Lights2007 5510sc.jpg|right|thumb|300px|Festival of Northern Lights.]] The City of Owen Sound was a 2004 Cultural Capital of Canada and is home to a number of cultural events and facilities. It is home to the famous [http://www.summerfolk.org Summerfolk Music and Crafts Festival], held every August, and the [http://www.festivallights.ca Festival of Northern Lights], a large Christmas lights festival with many displays along the Sydenham River, downtown, and in Harrison Park, held from November until January every Winter, as well as A Novel Marathon, a special event fundraiser for the Adult Literacy Program of the Owen Sound and North Grey Public Library. In 2007 Owen Sound celebrated its 150th year since incorporation, with special events throughout the year highlighted by the 10-day [http://www.owensound150.com Homecoming 2007] celebrations July 27 to August 5. Theatrically, the city's 400-seat Roxy Theatre is used for the city's professional live theatre performances, as well as some concerts. In the summer of 2007 the Roxy plays host for the first time to the long-running [http://www.geotheatre.org Georgian Theatre Festival]. The city is also home to a good number of museums and cultural attractions, including: [[Image:TomThomsonGallery.JPG|thumb|right|Tom Thomson Art Gallery]] * Grey Roots Museum - showcasing the history of the city of Owen Sound and Grey County * Tom Thomson Memorial Art Gallery - featuring a large collection of memorabilia and works from [[Tom Thomson]], one of Canada's most famous artists who grew up in the Owen Sound area. * Owen Sound Marine and Rail Museum - showcasing the city's rich history in rail and water transportation and its role in the growth of Ontario. * Billy Bishop Heritage Museum - located in the former Billy Bishop home, dedicated to the life and times of [[Billy Bishop]] and Canada's history in aviation. * Black History Cairn - located in historic Harrison Park, celebrating Owen Sound's status as a northern terminus of [[Underground Railroad|the Underground Railroad]]. * Owen Sound Farmer's Market - occupying the same location since 1868, the Market is open every Saturday morning throughout the year and hosts a wide variety of growers and artisans. * Today Owen Sound's Beth Ezekiel Synagogue, a designated building under Ontario's Heritage Act, remains the last example of the early small town [[synagogue]] * Knox Acoustic Cafe - is a volunteer driven (not-for-profit) concert venue dedicated to supporting both established and rising musicians, while bringing the best of folk, roots, celtic, & blues to Owen Sound. [http://knoxowensound.ca/acousticcafe Knox Acoustic Cafe] holds 8-10 concerts each year at their underground cafe style venue in the basement of the historic Knox United Church in downtown Owen Sound. * Over the past twelve years, 37 different writers have created 86 short novels, made friends and raised thousands of dollars for the Adult Learning Centre. ==Recreation== The city is one of two (the other being [[Barrie, Ontario]]) that are home to [[The Grey and Simcoe Foresters]] [[Primary Reserve]] [[Infantry]] regiment, as well as various cadet corps. Some of the largest [[rainbow trout]] in the world have been caught in the sound, and annual fishing derbies draw large participation from all over North America. Southwest of the city are two popular Ontario ski resorts, [http://www.talisman.ca Talisman] and Beaver Valley. The city and area also have numerous snowmobile trails. ===Sports=== Owen Sound is the smallest city in Ontario (and one of the smallest in Canada) to boast an OHL [[Canadian Hockey League|Major Junior Hockey]] Team, in the [[Owen Sound Attack]] who play at the [[Bayshore Community Centre]] arena. *[[Owen Sound Attack]] - [[Ontario Hockey League]] *[[Owen Sound Greys]] - [[Mid-Western Junior Hockey League]] *[[Owen Sound Woodsmen]] - [[OLA Senior B Lacrosse League]] *[[Owen Sound Rams]] - [[OLA Junior B Lacrosse League]] *[[Owen Sound United]] - [[Mid Western Soccer League]] ===Former teams=== *[[Owen Sound Mercurys]] - [[OHA Senior A Hockey League (1929-1979)|OHA Senior A Hockey League]] *[[Owen Sound Crescents]] - OHA Senior A Hockey League *[[Owen Sound Canadians]] - Northern Senior B Hockey League *[[Owen Sound Trappers]] - [[OHA Intermediate A Hockey League]] *[[Owen Sound Platers]] - [[Ontario Hockey League]] (became Attack) *[[Owen Sound North Stars]] - [[Major Series Lacrosse]] *[[Owen Sound Crescents (OLA)|Owen Sound Crescents]] - Major Series Lacrosse Elite Hockey League team The Cardiff Devils are currently playing one of Owen Sounds most respected ice hockey talents, Jason Silverthorn, who is highly regarded and one of the top goal scorers of the current 2007/2008 season. ==Media== ===Radio=== * AM 560 - [[CFOS (AM)|CFOS]], [[Oldies]] * FM 90.1 - [[CJLF-FM|CJLF-1]], [[contemporary Christian music|Christian]] * FM 92.3 - ,[[active rock]] * FM 93.7 - [[CKYC-FM|CKYC]] Country 93, [[country music|country]] * FM 94.5 - [[CIBU-FM]] The Bull, [[Rock music|Rock]] * FM 97.1 - [[CBL-FM|CBL-4]], [[CBC Radio Two]] ([[Wiarton, Ontario|Wiarton]]) * FM 98.7 - [[CBLA-FM|CBCB]], [[CBC Radio One]] * FM 106.5 - [[CIXK-FM|CIXK]] Mix 106.5, [[adult contemporary]] ===New services=== On [[May 9]], [[2008]], the [[Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission|CRTC]] has approved Larche Communications Inc., for a new rock radio station undertaking Owen Sound, Ontario at 92.3 MHz. All three remaining applications were denied by the CRTC. [http://www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Decisions/2008/db2008-100.htm] ===Television=== * Channel 13: [[CKCO-TV|CKCO-2]] - [[CTV Television Network]] - (Transmitter at [[Wiarton, Ontario]] and a rebroadcaster of CKCO-TV from [[Kitchener, Ontario]]) * Channel 6: [[CIII-TV|CIII-4]], [[Global Television Network]] * Channel 10: [[CICA-TV|CICA-12]], [[TVOntario]] * Channel 05: [[CBLT-TV|CBLN-5]], [[CBC Television]] (Wiarton, Ontario) * Channel 53 Rogers Television Grey-Bruce ===Print=== *[[Owen Sound Sun Times]] - Newspaper [http://www.owensoundsuntimes.com/ (The Sun Times)] ==Statistics== {{Canada_CP_2006|pop=21,753|popDelta=+1.4%|popRank=174th| landArea=24.22|popDensity=898.1|medianAge=40.9|medianAgeM=38.9|medianAgeF=42.7| privateDwell=9,736|privateDwellusual=9,381|medianHHIncome=20,126 per person aged 15+}} ==Notable Residents== *[[Shelagh Armstrong]] (artist) *[[Norman Bethune]] *[[Billy Bishop]] * NHLer [[Hap Day]] *[[Butchart Gardens|Robert Pim Butchart]] *[[Cheryl Hickey]] (Entertainment Tonight Canada) *[[Heather Hiscox]] [http://www.cbc.ca/morning/hiscox.html] *[[Thomas William Holmes]] * NHLer [[Alvin "Buck" Jones]] *NHLer [[Harry Lumley (hockey player)|Harry Lumley]] *[[Agnes Macphail]] *[[Nathan Perrott]] *[[Eddie Sargent]] *[[Tom Thomson]] ==In media== [[Image:OwenSoundCityHall.JPG|thumb|right|Owen Sound City Hall]] *Owen Sound was one of the filming locations for the filming of the [[Walt Disney Pictures|Disney]] movie ''[[One Magic Christmas]]'' along with [[Meaford, Ontario|Meaford]], most notably with its [[city hall]] serving as the town hall in the film. *On the [[October 18]], [[2006]], episode of ''[[The Colbert Report]]'', host [[Stephen Colbert]] asked his viewers to send in suggestions for bad things to say about Owen Sound, being unable to think of any himself. {{Canadian City Geographic Location (8-way) | Northwest = [[Tobermory, Ontario|Tobermory]] <br> [[Wiarton, Ontario|Wiarton]] | North = ''[[Georgian Bay]]'' | Northeast = | West = [[Southampton, Ontario|Southampton]], [[Georgian Bluffs, Ontario|Georgian Bluffs]] | Centre = Owen Sound, Ontario | East = [[Meaford, Ontario|Meaford]], [[Thornbury, Ontario|Thornbury]] | Southwest = | South = [[Chatsworth, Ontario (town)|Chatsworth]] <br> [[Durham, Ontario|Durham]] | Southeast = | image = }} == External links == *[http://www.city.owen-sound.on.ca The City of Owen Sound (Official Website)] *[http://www.owensound.ca Vacation Owen Sound website] *[http://www.theowen.com Owen Sound Community Website] *[http://www.osblackhistory.com Owen Sound Black History website] *[http://www.summerfolk.org Summerfolk Music & Crafts Festival] [[Category:Owen Sound, Ontario| ]] [[Category:Cities on the Great Lakes]] [[Category:Municipalities in Grey County, Ontario]] [[Category:Communities in Grey County, Ontario]] [[Category:Miamisburg, Ohio]] [[fr:Owen Sound]] [[pl:Owen Sound (Ontario)]] [[pt:Owen Sound]] [[sv:Owen Sound]] [[vo:Owen Sound]]