Kinmount, Ontario

Kinmount is a village with a population of approximately 500, located on the Burnt River in Ontario, Canada. The village is now part of the City of Kawartha Lakes. The village's hinterland covers large sections of both Haliburton and Peterborough counties for which it is a shopping and cultural center. Prior to the formation of the City of Kawartha Lakes, Kinmount was the seat of Somerville Township.

Economy

The economy of Kinmount once relied on forestry but is now primarily based on tourism. The village is an important source of supplies for summer cottagers in the area and, consequently, becomes nearly dormant in winter. One of Kinmount's primary businesses and tourist draws is the Highland Cinemas — a first-run movie theatre with a movie poster and equipment museum.

The local post office, at 4078 County Rd 121, offers lock boxes and services one rural delivery route.

History

Kinmount is notable for being one of the first sites of Icelandic settlement in Canada (there was an earlier settlement in Rosseau Township established in 1873, one year before the Kinmount Icelaners arrived). Although the group moved to Manitoba after two years, the site is considered a National Historic Site and is marked by a plaque.

Kinmount most recently gained national attention in the summer of 2004, when they became the first Ontario village to actively canvas a family physician to move to their community. The grass-roots campaign included leaflets, posters, and newspaper ads throughout the province.

The name was derived from the Scottish settlers telling how they "Kin-Mount" the steep hills prominent in the town.

Attractions

The Kinmount Fair is held annually on the Labour Day weekend.

ee also

*List of communities in Ontario