Port Bruce Pier - Port Bruce
Port Bruce, originally known as Catfish Harbour until 1851, is located on the edge of Lake Erie at the mouth of Catfish Creek. It was renamed Port Bruce in honor of the eight Earl of Elgin and Kincardine, then Governor General of Canada. Known for its fishing the pier is constantly populated by fishermen.
The first visitor of note to ever visit this little port was Sir William Johnson on August 24, 1761 when he took advantage of the place to repair some of his damaged boats. At the time, he was on his way to Detroit. His expedition consisted of eleven boats and two canoes.
CatfishHarbour was a port of considerable importance from 1840 to 1860. In 1851, Amasa Lewis began buying grain and shipping it out of Port Bruce. He built a four hundred foot pier, dredged the mouth of the Catfish to a depth of eleven feet and erected a large warehouse. Amasa Lewis had a schooner built in the Port Bruce shipyard. It was named the Alma Munroe and operated between Buffalo and Detroit for many years.
The sale of grain was the chief source of revenue between 1850 and 1880. The Market at Port Bruce was a convenient place to sell grain and because of the low cost of water transportation, it offered better prices than at inland railroad points. Grain was hauled near London, Dorchester and Ingersoll to four large grain warehouses. After the farmers received their payment, they often stayed in Port Bruce to celebrate at the various hotels. One of the exports of Port Bruce was peas which were sent to Quebec. They were also marketed in the U.S. to be used in the adulteration of coffee.
Port Bruce was also known at one time for shipping lumber, cedar shakes and barrel staves that were made at the various sawmills along the creek and in the area. Because of the scarcity of loose coins and paper notes, shingles were often used as a means of barter.
At one time, Port Bruce had three hotels, four warehouses and two stores. There were also two blacksmith shops. Today the small village is serviced by RV parks, cabin rentals, great restaurants and wonderful weather for all the fishing and beach destined visitors.
The pavillion was built in 1966 as a Centennial celebration and recently refurbished in 2007 with washrooms. The pavillion provides shelter, picnic tables and a meeting place for community and visitors. A playground is located next to the pavillion.
The quilt block, "Crossed Canoes", reflects the colours of the grass, the lake and the sunshine, and represents the importance of the waterway of our Port.
