Discover Ontario's history as told through its plaques
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Rideau Canal 1826-1832
Photo by Alan L Brown - Posted June, 2004
Photo by Brian Bockus - Posted October, 2018
Photo by contributor Geoff Chalcraft - September, 2007
Plaque Location
The County of Frontenac
The City of Kingston
On the south side of Kingston Mills Road
just west of the bridge over the Rideau Canal
Coordinates: N 44 17.563 W 76 26.590 |
 |
Plaque Text
Financed by the British government, on the Duke of Wellington's advice, it was built to provide a secure military route between Upper and Lower Canada. Work was supervised by military engineers commanded by Lieut. Colonel John By whose technical ability and perseverance overcame many obstacles. Many of his Irish emigrant labourers died of a virulent fever. Traversing 203 km of largely unsettled country between Kingston and Bytown (now Ottawa), and including 47 locks, the canal was opened May 24, 1832.
Related Ontario plaques
The Rideau Canal
The Rideau Waterway
Lieutenant-Colonel John By, R.E.
The Royal Sappers and Miners
More
Information
More
Canals
More
Kingston Plaques
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