Port Bruce Provincial Park - Port Bruce
Port Bruce Provincial Park is located along the northern shore of Lake Erie in the town of Port Bruce. Situated between Port Burwell and Port Stanley, the hamlet is nestled quietly along the Catfish Creek and is now home to approximately 200 people year round, who see increased visitation during the summer with cottagers and campers. The community was originally called Catfish Harbour (Catfish Creek) for 90 years until Elgin County separated from Middlesex County and in 1855, the village was renamed Port Bruce to honour James Bruce, the 8th Earl of Elgin (Lord Elgin), governor of the province of Canada from 1847 to 1854.
Port Bruce Provincial Park was created in 1958 to ensure a public beach for residents and visitors. It is known for its sandy beach surrounded by local establishments… great place to stop for a picnic and enjoy some swimming, fishing or boating at this waterfront area.
In 1761, Port Bruce was the site of a Royal Salute. Sir William Johnson describes “a tedious passage of 15 days” while sailing in Lake Erie. His voyage was well documented in his journals where he describes sailing by Long Point and “along a kind of beach about sixteen miles; then along a high sand bank, about twenty miles or more". Port Bruce is where they finally landed and camped for the evening and the following day, Johnson issued the orders for Royal Salute.
The quilt block, "Mariners’ Compass", honours those of Sir William Johnson’s time when sailing the Lake was a principal means of transportation.
