WELCOME TO THE 1000 ISLANDS - The nobility and natural beauty of the St. Lawrence River and the Islands are the lasting by-product of the Great Ice Age. Here you'll be astounded at the clean, clear, deep, fresh water which flows among the infinite variety of islands.

The 1000 Islands region was originally inhabited by Indian tribes known as the "Confederacy of the Iroquois" which was comprised of the Mohawk, Oneidas, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca Tribes. The tribes lived in longhouses and grew crops of corn, beans and squash and hunted in the forests and fished in the lakes and river. It was the French explorers who named the 1000 Islands but the Indians more perceptively called this area the Garden of the Great Spirit or "Manitonna".

The 1000 Islands were first explored by the famous French explorer, Samuel de Champlain, in the early 1600's. A Jesuit missionary, Father Le Moyne, in 1654 set up missions to lure Indian tribes from the British and Dutch fur traders to the French. The St. Lawrence River was the principal route for the "couriers de bois", colorful French fur traders who, by canoe, explored westward in search of furs. Soon, Indian warfare ensued between the powerful Iroquois and the Ottawa and Huron Tribes. The Iroquois were encouraged by the British, in order to increase their fur trade and also to get a greater hold on the North American continent.

At first the Islands were a peaceful sanctuary for the bold and hardy voyageurs either before or after their encounter with the treacherous Long Sault and Lachine Rapids. Soon Indians and river pirates began to prey upon the fur laden canoes and bateaux of the French traders. Eventually, the Seven Year's War (1756-1763) in Europe, between England and France, enveloped North America. Small fortresses and outposts were constructed by both sides among the islands and fierce skirmishes were fought. Eventually, Britain was the victor and Canada and the 1000 Islands became British territory. Tales of buried French treasure and sunken French gold pay ships still abound today in the 1000 Islands.

Loyalist refugees from the eastern seaboard of the United States during the American War of Independence fled to the 1000 Islands region and began to build a significant English presence. Soon again, however, the region was involved in a conflict that was started in Europe, the Napoleonic Wars. In North America it was known as the War of 1812 and Britain and the United States were at conflict. With the many skirmishes in the Islands, the United States did not take full advantage of the weak link in Canada's defense and capture Britain's isolated colony. The treaty of Ghent settled the hostilities and forever prohibited warships on the St. Lawrence River, a condition which today is still in force and the tranquility of the "Garden of the Great Spirit" remains.

Pirate's Weekend in the 1000 Islands commemorates the rowdy deeds of a lovable old river pirate of the 1830's "Bill Johnston". He was first Admiral of the "1000 Islands Navy", leading many exploits during the Rebellions in Upper Canada.

In our St. Lawrence Valley there's a very special green giant known as the monumental 1000 Islands Bridge, providing a vital and scenic link between two of the world's great nations...Canada and the United States. The name "1000 Islands" is actually a misnomer as there are over 1800 registered islands in the 1000 Islands region. Most are privately owned by citizens of both the United States and Canada. We also have a multitude of both provincial, state and federal parks...there are 14 national island parks alone. Castles such as Boldt and Jorstadt and cottages along "Millionaires Row" are renowned throughout the world as a sample of the opulence of a bygone era.

The 1000 Islands are a once in a lifetime experience that you'll relive every time you return. Walk the footsteps of history. Take a fishing holiday. Enjoy the water sports and boating of the area.