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 The
Township of Huron-Kinloss is blessed with its scenic setting on
the east shore of Lake Huron featuring beautiful sunsets and sandy
beaches.
Tiny hamlets throughout the township are a living reminder of the
history of settlement in the area. Check out the on-site map and
plan a driving route via the back roads of the township from hamlet
to hamlet.
The major attraction of Huron Kinloss is undeniably the Point
Clark lighthouse. One of the six imperial lighthouses constructed
by contractor John Brown, the first warning beam shone from Point
Clark's lantern on April 1, 1859. Tours of the lighthouse are available
to the public during the summer months. The former lightkeeper's
home, converted to a museum, is included in the tour. Parks Canada
acquired the lighthouse in 1967; it became the first Ontario lighthouse
to be designated as a National Historic Site.
The marine history tour continues in the north end of the township
with the remains of the Erie Belle, a Great Lakes Steamer that met
with a brutal end on the rocky shoreline on November 21, 1883. A
mere 20 metres from shore, the boiler of the Erie Belle juts out
of the water. Hence its name of "Boiler Beach", a mostly
sand beach with large  rocks
visible here and there in the water. With its gradual slope into
the water, it's a great beach for children. A memorial Cairn has
been erected on the shore and reads: "The Erie Belle exploded
south of Kincardine November 21, 1883 killing four men in an attempt
to free the schooner 'Carter'. The Boiler remains a lasting memorial
to Lake Huron Sailors."
Other beaches along the Huron-Kinloss shoreline include:
Bruce Beach. The cottage industry had its start here in
1894 when Messrs. Kennedy and Jackson built the first cottage. Families
from nearby Ripley built cottages in 1896 and christened the quiet,
sandy beach with the name of Ripley Beach. In 1904, Mrs. James S.
Anderson renamed the beach as Bruce Beach. Small rocks stretch along
the shore and the large in-water rocks don't hamper the gentle slope
into the water.
Lurgan Beach. The Lurgan post office came into being in
1860 and was named by the first postmaster, J.W. Gamble, after his
birthplace in Northern Ireland. The beach, accessible by taking
the Lakeside Trail at Point Clark, is sandy and peaceful. Its shoreline
gradually slopes into Lake Huron, with a pebbly shore and rocks
dotting the water's edge.
Point Clark. The lighthouse stands guard over a tranquil
sandy beach as well as the sometimes-turbulent waters of Lake Huron.
A playground, washroom facilities and a small harbour make the Point
Clark beach an attractive daytrip destination.
Poplar Beach. The poplars that once lined this beach gave
the beach its name. Long and sandy, it was the home of the Poplar
Beach store and dance hall built by Tom Louis. During the 1930s,
dances were held every Friday night in the dance hall.
Accommodation
Huron-Kinloss has several campgrounds suitable for tents, campers
and RV's. Whether it's a one-night stay, a weekend or several weeks'
holiday, there is a campground with the facilities to suit your
needs and requirements. If camping is not your style, the bed &
breakfast owners of Huron-Kinloss are waiting with a comfy bed for
a restful sleep and a hearty breakfast to start your day right.
See our on-line Directory for listings.
Golf
A minister introduced golf to the cottagers of Bruce Beach in 1903
when a six-hole course was constructed. In 1907, the course expanded
to nine holes and the Bruce Beach Club was established. In 1913,
sand was used to create the greens and so they remain today. A tennis
club was formed, as well, in 1914. The Bruce Beach Club is unique
in that it is a non-profit golf course operating on the honour system.
Memberships are available from the local cottagers.
Huron-Kinloss is home to other privately owned golf courses with
challenging courses sure to tempt golfers of all skill levels.
Hiking
From beginner to advanced, Huron-Kinloss has a trail to suit any
hiker's level of ability. The Friends of Ripley and the Township
of Huron-Kinloss are working in partnership to develop trails along
former railway beds, county forest tracts and rural roads. Bruce
County has six trails in the township open for public use. Amble
along a boardwalk or a railtrail or plan a lengthier-and more challenging
hike-over several days. The Lucknow Buzz is an 80-km trail suitable
for both hikers and cyclists.
Four trails wind through the Point Clark trail system, called the
Point Clark Greenway Project. The Deer Run Nature Trail, Attawondaron
Nature Trail, Clark Creek Floodplain and the Tuscarora Road Nature
Trail are multi-use, all-season trails. Accessible at several points
throughout Point Clark, trail guides are available at the lighthouse
museum during the summer months or by calling the township office
at (519) 395-3735.
Winter Activities
The hiking trails mentioned above offer excellent routes for cross
county skiing and snowshoeing. Snowmobilers can take advantage of
the snowmobile trails, which traverse the township. An O.F.S.C.
Trail Permit is required to use these trails. Trail maps are available
at some area retailers or local snowmobile clubs.
More Information
For more visitor information along the Lake Huron Shoreline and
throughout all of Bruce County see these web sites.
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