Bruce County is a region in Ontario comprising the Bruce Peninsula, 2½ hr north and west of the city of Toronto. The Bruce Peninsula is a finger of land surrounded by the waters of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay from Sauble Beach to Tobermory, and Wiarton to Lion's Head. The Peninsula is part of the Niagara Escarpment and is known for its views, rock formations, cliffs and hiking trails. The Lakeshore includes nearly a hundred kilometers of fresh water and soft sandy beaches.
The county was home to about 68,000 people in 2016.
Two First Nations communities make up 6% of the county's population:
Bruce County was named after James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin (Lord Elgin), Governor General of Canada.
Until the mid-19th century, the area known as the Bruce Peninsula was territory controlled by the Saugeen Ojibway. At the time of first contact with Europeans, the peninsula was inhabited by the Odawa people, from whom a large number of local native people are descended. Oral history from Saugeen and Nawash suggests their ancestors have been here as early as 7500 years ago.
In 1836 the Saugeen Ojibway signed a treaty to cede lands south of the peninsula to the Canadian government in exchange for learning agriculture, proper housing, assistance in becoming "civilized", and for permanent protection of the peninsula. In 1854, the Saugeen Ojibway agreed to sign another treaty – this time for the peninsula itself. In 1994, after decades on increasing First Nations activism, the Saugeen Ojibway filed a suit for a land claim for part of their traditional territory; they claimed breach of trust by the Crown in failing to meet its treaty obligations to protect Aboriginal lands. The claim seeks the return of lands still held by the Crown and financial compensation for other lands. This claim is still active.
European settlement began on the peninsula in the mid-19th century, despite its poor potential for agricultural development. Attracted by the rich fisheries and lush forest, settlers found the land to be irresistible. In 1881 settlers built the first sawmill on the peninsula in Tobermory. In less than 20 years most of the valuable timber was gone and timber industry jobs declined. Fuelled by the waste left behind by the rapid logging and land clearances, intense fires sprang up around the peninsula. By the mid-1920s formerly abundant forests of the peninsula were nearly barren. When the lamprey eel was accidentally introduced to the Great Lakes in 1932, the devastation on the fish supply made the peninsula a less attractive place to live. Many left when fish stocks were depleted. The peninsula underwent a steady decline in population until the 1970s. In the late 20th century, the peninsula started to attract a new kind of resident, the cottager. Today seasonal residents out-number permanent residents. The summer influx of tourists is so great that many attractions, parking, and infrastructure are overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
The Bruce Peninsula is accessed by several roads. You can reach the Bruce from Highway 26 from the Barrie area, Highway 6 from Guelph or Highway 21 from Sarnia, and Highway 10 and 6 from Toronto.
By plane, the choices are distant: Toronto Pearson International Airport (IATA: YYZ) in the north-west corner of Toronto is the nearest major airport, with flights from many domestic and international destinations. Slightly closer, Waterloo Region International Airport (IATA: YKF) near Kitchener receives a handful of flights each day.
The nearest railway stations with passenger service are in Toronto and Guelph.
Roads are mostly rural highways with one lane in each direction. Minor roads are occasionally unpaved. To find the most efficient routing, plan ahead, use a GPS unit or GPS-enabled device, or bring a map. The Official Government Roadmap for Bruce and Grey Counties is available online.
The Bruce Peninsula is comprised of several communities - most of whom cater to tourists. There are many bed and breakfasts, motels, hotels and cottage rentals available in the area all year round. Here are some of the main communities in the area:
The Bruce Peninsula is a place of diversity. Surrounded on almost 4 sides by the Great Lakes - the Bruce has many options for both the "beacher" and the hiker adventurer.
Bruce Peninsula National Park. 2020-02-25
Bruce Power Visitor Centre, 3394 Bruce County Road 20, Kincardine (North of Tiverton). The plant's visitor centre has a lot of information about the plant and nuclear power in general. free 2016-10-27
Kayaking & canoeing is a popular sport - and the rugged shores of Georgian Bay make the perfect backdrop for a kayaker. There are several outfitters who can provide a rental kayak or canoe for travellers.
Sailing & power boating - The waters surrounding the peninsula provide a great spot for sailing and power boating. There are several marinas that provide transient or seasonal docking.
Fishing - Georgian Bay and Lake Huron have many large and small prize fishing available to fishermen. Salmon, lake trout, perch, pike - all can be caught from shore or using a downrigger. The inland lakes such as Gillies Lake or Miller Lake have bass, pickerel and trout. Fly fishermen enjoy the small brooks that harbour trout and other sport fish. Fishing charters can be booked - but you must have your fishing licence!
Hiking - Hike along the Bruce Trail from the Head of Trails in the Cyprus Lake Campground to The Grotto and Storm Haven. Both offer amazing views of water. The main trail is more than 890 km (550 mi) long and there are over 400 km (250 mi) of associated side trails. The trail mostly follows the edge of the Niagara Escarpment, one of the thirteen UNESCO World Biosphere Reserves in Canada.
Sight-seeing - Take the car carrying Chi-Cheemaun Ferry from Tobermory to Flower Pot Island (ferries run a few times a day from mid-May to the end of summer) to see natural flower pots and crystal clear waters.
The Bruce Peninsula's shoreline has several lighthouses, necessary to provide guidance to the many ships that would pass by her shores. The Cove Island Light, near Tobermory, is one of the six famous "Imperial" lighthouses built in the 1850s by John Brown which can be found on the mainland and on nearby islands of the northern Bruce Peninsula. Other lighthouses include:
From spring to fall, take the Chi-Cheemaun ferry fom Tobermory to Manitoulin Island. The trip is about 2 hours.