Smiths Falls

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  Patrick (guest)

  This is MY home town. It is spelled SMITHS FALLS, no apostrophe. Hershey left this town several years ago and relocated to MEXICO, for cheap labour, cheap currency, good rail links, subsidized electricity, low taxes and free land. Just like the same reasons they opened up in Canada in 1960 in Smiths Falls, Ontario. However, Mexico is a lot closer to the cacao beans... eh? (I worked as a Lockman there in summers, in the late 60's) The Rideau CANAL, has many locks to raise and lower vessels around rapids and waterfalls. It was built in the 1830's just before the US Civil War, and within living memory of the War of 1812. It was a military and commercial necessity. The need to avoid the narrow St. Lawrence River for British shipping, and risks of US attacks, between Kingston and Cornwall Ontario was 'why'. It connected Lake Ontario with the Ottawa River, and from there markets east to Montreal, and to the Atlantic. Factoid: Irish and Scottish stone masons coming to build the canal were killed by malaria often, during the 6 years of the construction! Whodathunkit? A 'tropical' disease in Canada, and mosquitos big enough to carry you away, still. VERY HOT humid summers, VERY COLD long winters- and they call that a 'temperate' climate? Ya, right- tough conditions to build such a canal system!

  12 years ago | reply | hide comment