The Lake Erie Shore: Ontario's Forgotten South Coast
Ron Brown
As much History Lesson as description of the shoreline. Political corruption is nothing new and our interactions with First Nations really are only yesterday and ongoing. United Empire Loyalists swarmed the area which was later ravaged by the War of 1812.
In discussing Wainfleet Bog and the peat operations there Brown fails to note that it is also home to a southern population of Massasauga Rattlers something of which visitors should be aware.
In the early 60ies my older school mates came to Ontario to pick tobacco. Of course farming took place inland, it was harbour facilities that enabled sending produce to market. While the forests lasted mills operated on rivers and streams their products transhiped by boat and later train until trucking replaced both. Fishing flourished until the seaway let in the lamprey eel and ship's bilge released zebra mussels.
Improved transport attracted tourists to the many beaches bringing business for hotels and cottages, restaurants, dance halls, and amusement parks. Farm runoff and industrial pollution spoiled that market.
It was four years after this book was published that Heinz pulled up stakes and abandoned their ketchup plant in Leamington putting people out of work and area farmers without a market for tons of tomatoes. Two years later Frenchs Mustard stepped in to take up the slack. Both are American Companies operating branch plants.
The final pages are extensive back-up notes.
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