About Seeley's Bay...
Seeley's Bay is a village in Eastern Ontario on the historic Rideau Heritage Route, approximately 25 miles (40 KM) northeast of Kingston and 100 miles (160KM) southwest of Ottawa.The "Bay" was created around 1832 with the flooding of the Cranberry Marsh during the building of Rideau Canal and it became a regular stop for the steam wheelers as they travelled up and down the canal. The village was named in 1841 after the Seeley family who set up a trading post about 1825. The native Indians were the only people to frequent his teepee store at this early point in Canal history. All early industries in the village were born out of necessity. Logs were needed for homes and wood needed for heat and furniture. Thousands of cords of wood were shipped out on the Rideau Canal after Seeley’s Bay was established as a port in 1832. The first industry in the community was an ashery. Potash was used for bleaching and making soap. By 1851, a stagecoach traveled through the village three times per week carrying passengers and mail north from Kingston to Perth to Smiths Falls. By 1885, the village was a shipping point for grain, lumber, livestock and wood. By this time, it was also a landing for steamboats traveling the Rideau system.
To commemorate Seeley's Bay's history and to celebrate Canada's Centennial Year in 1967, a Teepee was erected in Seeley's Bay's Centennial Park with the theme "Teepee to TV". Unfortunately, on October 10, 2019 our Teepee was demolished as directed by the TLTI Council of the day.
Easily accessible today by car or boat, travelers continue to visit Seeley’s Bay, enjoying the town and area’s charm and facilities. Seeley’s Bay’s population has been steadily growing in recent years because of its close proximity to Kingston. Vacationers can enjoy a variety of activities and shops in Seeley’s Bay or nearby Kingston and Gananoque. Seeley’s Bay has a wide variety of cottages, resorts, campgrounds and B&B’s to accommodate the traveler. As with many of the other Rideau Lakes communities, the favoured summer activities are fishing, golfing, water sports, cycling & hiking. All amenities required for these sports are readily available within the Seeley’s Bay area. In winter, snowmobiling, hockey, skating and ice fishing are popular in and around the area.
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Click the cover image to the left to find out more about the history of Seeley's Bay and District from the booklet that was printed in 1967 to celebrate Canada's 100th birthday! |
Annual events in Seeley's Bay include;
Every February, the lively community of Seeley’s Bay hosts “Frost Fest”, a great celebration for all ages. There are activities, and events for all ages to warm their hearts and souls in this friendly village.
Every July 1st, Seeley's Bay celebrates Canada Day with activies beginning in the afternoon, and concluding with live music and a display of fireworks in the park that is second to none.
For a map of Seeley's Bay and businesses within the village - click here
For a map of the Seeley's Bay area - click here
Search the Seeley's Bay Website