Kearney, Ontario

Infobox City
official_name = Kearney
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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = Canada
subdivision_type1 = Province
subdivision_name1 = Ontario
subdivision_type2 = District
subdivision_name2 = Parry Sound District
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leader_title =Mayor
leader_name =J. Jeffrey Johnston
leader_title1 =Governing body
leader_name1 =Kearney Town Council
leader_title2 =MP
leader_name2 =Tony Clement (CPC)
leader_title3 =MPP
leader_name3 =Norm Miller (OPC)
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established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1908
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area_total_km2 = 529.5
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population_as_of = 2006
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settlement_type = Town
population_total = 798
population_density_km2 = 1.5
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timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
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postal_code_type = Postal Code
postal_code =P0A 1M0
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website = [http://www.townofkearney.com/ Town of Kearney]
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Kearney is a town in the Parry Sound District of Ontario, Canada.

At one time Kearney was a hamlet in the township of Perry, from which the it separated in 1908, when it incorporated as a town. The original parcel of land included 600 acres (2.4 km²). Through the 1970's Kearney claimed to be "The Smallest Town in Ontario." On December 1, 1979 legislation was passed to amalgamate the town of Kearney, with the geographic townships of Proudfoot, Bethune and portions of Butt and McCraney. Now with a landmass of 529 square kilometres and a year round population of 798 in the Canada 2006 Census, Kearney claims to be perhaps the "Biggest Little Town in Ontario," and maybe even Canada.

The main section of Kearney is located at coord|45|33|N|77|13|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title.

History

Perry Township was opened to settlement in 1873, the lots were quickly taken up. The first two Post Offices in the township were established at Scotia and Emsdale, on the Muskoka Road. In the north-east corner of the township, settlers A. J. O'Neil and his partner William Kearney opened a store in 1879. It was located on the 12th Concession, near what is now Cherry Hill Road, (west of Beaver Lake). In the following year a post office was opened in the name of "Kearney." In those days the closest railway was the Northern at Gravenhurst from which all supplies were brought up the Muskoka Road.

With the arrival of the Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway in 1895, a siding was built at the foot of what was known as Long Lake (now Perry Lake). The commerce of the village shifted to the east side of the lake, near the railway station. (The Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway was absorbed into the Canada Atlantic Railway which was sold to the Grand Trunk Railway in 1905. The Grand Trunk subsequently (1923) became part of the Canadian National Railways. The track from Kearney into Algonquin Park was abandoned in 1959.)

At Kearney, logs could be loaded onto the train after only a few days drive. Before the railway, the logs were floated down the Magnetawan River, some as far as Byng Inlet.

Kearney became well known as a logging town with many sawmills and lumber camps. The logging still remains today.

Community

Kearney is the gateway to Algonquin Park wilderness with three access points - one at Tim Lake, one at Magnetawan Lake and most popular, at Rain Lake. In the early years, the train took visitors right into the park, with many side trips available from there. Today the roads run right back into the park's three access points. Kearney is well known as a tourist centre, not only because of its proximity to Algonquin Park, but for its swimming, water sports, camping and fishing. Within the town boundaries, lakes such as Clam, Fisher, Beaver and Sand with their many cottages, resorts, and campgrounds are vacation destinations for many visitors. Bear, moose and deer hunting provides sport for hunters coming to the area.

The Kearney Community Centre, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2000, houses the municipal offices, library, and seniors room and banquet facilities. The centre offers indoor activities during the weekdays such as card parties and special interest classes. Kearney also has a number of groups including the Royal Canadian Legion, the Lions Club, and various church and other groups.

Events

Annual events include the Blackfly Festival, Creative Changes Art Show, Sand Lake Regatta, Kearney Regatta, Kearney Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, Christmas Fun Fair and Craft Sale, the Kearney Dog Sled Races, and Sand Lake Thanksgiving Sunday Turkey Shoot. Visits can be made to the restored pioneer log church at Sand Lake as well as many other points of interest along the way.

Kearney's history of logging also helped create the great trails for their dog sled races in the winter. The races have grown in popularity with both spectators and racers since its inception in 1995. The mushers can choose from a number of scenic trails used for four, six, and thirty mile races. In addition to the races, the weekend has a full roster of family events, including cross-country skiing and ice fishing.

The local postal code of Kearney is P0A 1M0. Kearney is located 27 miles north of Huntsville, Ontario.

External links

* [http://www.townofkearney.com/ The Town of Kearney's official website]
* [http://kwef.ca/ Kearney Watershed Environmental Foundation]
* [http://www.kearneydogsled.com/ Kearney Dog Sled Races]