Long Point, Ontario

Long Point is a sand spit and medium-sized hamlet on the north shore of Lake Erie, part of Norfolk County in the province of Ontario, Canada.

It is about long and about across at its widest point. Lake Erie lies to the south of Long Point, and Long Point Bay lies on the north side. The bay is subdivided into the Inner Bay and Outer Bay by a line that runs between Turkey Point to the north and Pottahawk Point to the south. Some of the towns along the bay's north shore include Port Rowan, Turkey Point, and Port Dover. Long Point is north of and across the lake from Presque Isle and Erie, Pennsylvania.

History

Settlers from Europe began arriving in this area in 1790. After the American Revolution, many Loyalists began to settle here but after 1796, land was given to anyone who was capable of developing it. The first lighthouse was built in 1830.

left|thumb|The renovated Old Cut Lighthouse

In the 19th century, a powerful storm cut an opening through the middle of Long Point. A lighthouse was built alongside the channel, which was the first of several on the point. The opening became known as "The Old Cut". The cut has since closed along the lakeshore, but boaters continue to use the northern portion to reach the bay, homes and cottages.

During the mid-19th century some of local residents saw an opportunity to make easy money by "blackbirding." Blackbirders erected fake lighthouses during times of low visibility. Ships trying to enter the old cut would run aground. When the crew abandoned ship the blackbirders would loot the ship of cargo and other valuables. With law enforcement based in London, Ontario, these blackbirders would store their loot on the many hiding spots that Long Point offered.

Abigail Becker on several occasions in the 19th century waded into stormy waters to save crew members of boats that had run aground. Long Point has caused many shipwrecks, with many of the wrecks located right off the tip of the point. More than 400 ships have sunk in an area called "The Lake Erie Quadrangle".

Sport hunting was important after the Long Point Company purchased the Point in 1866 to facilitate this pursuit. Long Point Provincial Park was created in May 1921; by 1929, it was connected to the mainland by a new causeway.

Economy and recreation

The year-round population of Long Point is about 450 people, but the population increases in summer months when cottagers and campers visit. Long Point is a popular destination for boating, swimming, fishing, waterfowl-hunting and canoeing, attracting between 100,000 A large portion of Long Point is owned by the Long Point Company, a private organization that does not allow the public onto its property. including Ryerson's, Second, and Snow.

In 1982, the Long Point National Wildlife Area was recognized as a wetland of international significance under the Ramsar Convention. In 1986, Long Point Biosphere Reserve was designated as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO and as a globally significant Important Bird Area by Bird Life International. such as Areas of Natural and Scientific Interest.

Inner Long Point Bay covers approximately between the spit and Lake Erie's north shore. The Inner Bay is a diverse sport fishery and continentally important staging area for migratory waterfowl. Immediately adjacent to the coastal reserve is a distinctive terrestrial area of temperate 'Carolinian' broadleaf forests, conifer plantations, oak savannas and diverse agro-ecosystems.

In 1960, the Long Point Bird Observatory was established to monitor migrant birds on the point. It is North America's oldest bird observatory. As a result of a growing national focus towards saving the birds, the organization was renamed Bird Studies Canada in 1998. Its national headquarters overlooks Long Point Inner Bay on the western limits of Port Rowan, adjacent to base of the peninsula.

The Long Point Biosphere Reserve and surrounding area is home to 1384 species of plant, 370 species of birds, 102 species of fish, 46 species of mammals, 34 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 91 species of butterflies. These include Species at Risk such as American ginseng (Panax quinquefollus), American badger (Taxidea taxus), Acadian flycatcher (Empidonax virescens) and channel darter (Percina copelandi). Winters are relatively cool, with a mean temperature of while summers are warm, averaging .

Gallery

File:Long Point Marshes 2.jpg|alt=The marshes of Long Point, as seen from the Provincial Park.|The marshes of Long Point, as seen from the Provincial Park.

File:Long Point Beach.jpg|alt=A flock of gulls on the beach.|A flock of gulls on the beach.

File:Lake Erie from Long Point.jpg|alt=Lake Erie|Lake Erie

File:Long Point Marsh Channel.JPG|alt=View of a channel through the marsh in Long Point Bay.|View of a channel through the marsh in Long Point Bay.

File:Lake_Erie_Islands_Near_Long_Point_Ontario.png|Map of the Lake Erie Islands located near Long Point.

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References

Sources

Lore and Legends of Long Point, Harry B. Barrett, Burns and MacEachearn 1977,
Long Point: Last Port of Call, David Stone, Boston Mills Press, 1988,
Waters Of Repose, Dave Stone and David Frew, Erie County Historical Society 1993,

External links

Long Point Provincial Park
Long Point Provincial Park Campgrounds
The Long Point Bird Observatory