The historic centre of Victoria Harbour lies at the town’s most important intersection, where William Street meets Albert Street. The town’s history ranges from a company store dating to 1902, to the old library and St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church, to the Victoria Harbour Range Light and its navigational role. Those looking for scenery rather than building history will find distinct points of interest in the Tay Shore Trail and Albert Street Park. This makes it easy to tailor your stay to your interests: buildings and their origins, early shipping, or trails and parks.
Building history with specific dates
The former company store at the corner of Albert Street and William Street dates to 1902 and is now operated as Victoria Mercantile Company. Its location coincides with the historic centre’s most important intersection. Its connection to the Victoria Harbour Lumber Company places the building within the town’s local business history.
The old library and St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church also offer insight into the town’s building history. The old library was built in 1914 as a gift from the Waldies to the town. The church was completed six years earlier, in 1906; its construction was funded by John Waldie, president of the Victoria Harbour Lumber Company. With the exception of the roof, which has been replaced with a steel roof, nearly all of the church’s original architectural features have been preserved. The two building histories differ: the library centres on the Waldies’ gift to the town, while the church was funded by a company president.
The Range Light and its historic role
The Victoria Harbour Range Light offers another perspective on the town’s history. Located at Bergie Point, it was one of two beacons built by the Canadian federal government in 1910. The two beacons helped guide ships safely to and from the Port McNicoll Grain Elevator and the Victoria Harbour Lumber Company’s mills. The Range Light’s historic function was to direct ships onto a safer course through difficult waters. Navigation to two specific destinations thus adds a maritime focus to the stories of the local buildings.
Tay Shore Trail: scenery along 18.5 kilometres
The Tay Shore Trail offers a different focus from building history. This 18.5 km paved, multi-use trail runs through Victoria Harbour and is registered as part of the Trans Canada Trail. It passes through wetlands, fields and wooded areas, and crosses the Wye, Hogg and Sturgeon rivers. Its total length gives a clear sense of the scale of the trail; the landscapes and river crossings also convey what makes its route distinctive. Those who want to plan their stay around a route and its surroundings will find a different focus here from the town’s historic buildings.
Albert Street Park as a destination in its own right
Albert Street Park brings together a range of amenities in one location. It has a public beach, a multi-use trail, picnic tables and a pavilion; individual amenities may change. There are also public washrooms and a drinking water station. Check the operating status of the public washrooms and drinking water station before your trip. Compared with the 18.5 km Tay Shore Trail, the park offers several designated amenities at one location, while the trail follows a longer route through varied landscapes. This lets you decide whether a park or a trail through the landscape is the focus you want for your stay.
Discover more destinations: Orillia, Washago, Oro, Penetanguishene, Innisfil, Duntroon, Creemore, Borden.
For the broader travel overview: Simcoe County.
