Belleville, Ontario

Belleville

Thurlow
Belleville Thurlow
City (single-tier)
	City of Belleville
	Skyline of Downtown Belleville
	Seal
	Nickname(s): Bellevegas
	Motto(s): on the Bay of Quinte
	Belleville
	Coordinates: 44°10′N 77°23′W / 44.167°N 77.383°WCoordinates: 44°10′N 77°23′W / 44.167°N 77.383°W
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
County	Hastings
Settled	1789
Named	1816
Incorporated	1836 (as police village)
Incorporated as city	1878
Government
• Mayor	Mitch Panciuk
• Federal riding	Bay of Quinte
• Prov. riding	Bay of Quinte
Area
• Land	247.21 km2 (95.45 sq mi)
• Metro	741.36 km2 (286.24 sq mi)
Population (2016)
• City (single-tier)	50,716
• Density	205.1/km2 (531/sq mi)
• Metro	103,472
• Metro density	77.4/km2 (200/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC−5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Postal Code FSA	K8N, K8P, K8R
Area codes	613, 343
GDP (Belleville CMA)	CA$4.6 billion (2016)
GDP per capita (Belleville CMA)	CA$44,930 (2016)
Website	www.belleville.ca

Belleville is a city in Ontario, Canada situated on the eastern end of Lake Ontario, located at the mouth of the Moira River and on the Bay of Quinte. Belleville is between Ottawa and Toronto, along the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor. Its population as of the 2016 census was 50,716 (census agglomeration population 103,472^[3]). It is the seat of Hastings County, but politically independent of it, and is the centre of the Bay of Quinte Region.

History[]

Front Street, 1900

Front Street, 1972

Belleville Armoury is a recognized Federal Heritage building, listed in 1992 on the Register of the Government of Canada Heritage Buildings^[5]

Flowerbed beside Highway 401 near Belleville

The city is situated on the traditional territory of the Wendat, Anishnaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples.^[6] The historic Anishinaabe (Mississaugas) village, known as Asukhknosk in the 18th century, was part of land purchased by the Crown to use for the resettlement of United Empire Loyalists who were forced to leave the Thirteen Colonies in North America, after the United States achieved independence.^{[citation needed]}

The settlement was first called Singleton's Creek after an early settler, George Singleton. Next it was called Meyer's Creek, after prominent settler and industrialist John Walden Meyers (1745-1821), one of the founders of Belleville. He built a sawmill and grist mill.^[7]^[8] After an 1816 visit to the settlement by colonial administrator Sir Francis Gore and his wife, Lady Annabella Gore, it was renamed as Belleville in her honour.^[7]

Henry Corby, who arrived in 1832 with his new wife Alma Williams (they had married before immigrating), settled in Belleville. He was a merchant, setting up a grocery store and other businesses. He founded the H. Corby Distillery, and promoted the municipality. He also represented it in Parliament.

Their son Henry Corby Jr. (Harry) took over the family business and continued to support the town: he donated funding to create the public library, helped develop the park at Massassaga Point, established the Corby Charitable Fund, helped raise funds to build the first bridge across the Bay of Quinte^[9] and donated the land and development of Corby Park.^[10]

In 1836 Belleville became an incorporated village.^[11] By 1846, it had a population of 2040. Several stone buildings were soon constructed, including a jail and court house, as well as some of the seven churches. Transportation to other communities was by stagecoach and, in summer, by steamboat along the lake. Two weekly newspapers were published. The post office received mail daily. Several court and government offices were located here. In addition to tradesmen, there was some small industry, three cloth factories, a paper mill, two grist mills, three tanneries and two breweries. The seventeen taverns outnumbered the churches and most businesses.^[12] The oldest surviving residence within the original boundaries, 67 South Front Street, was built by Alexander Oliphant Petrie in 1814.^[13]

With the completion of the Grand Trunk Railway in 1856, Belleville became an important railway junction. Added to a booming trade in lumber and successful farming in the area, the railway helped increase the commercial and industrial growth. Belleville was incorporated as a town in 1850.^[14]

In 1858 the iron bridge was completed over the Moira River at Bridge Street; it was the first iron bridge in Hastings County. By 1865, the population reached 6,000.^[11] Telephone service to 29 subscribers was in place by 1883; electricity became available in 1885 and in 1886, the town began to offer municipal water service. In 1870, Ontario's first school for the deaf was established in Belleville. Under Dr. Charles B. Coughlin, the school was recognized as making a significant contribution to special education. Originally called the Ontario Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, the facility was renamed as Ontario School for the Deaf. In 1974, it was renamed as the Sir James Whitney School.^[15]

Belleville's town hall operates in a building first constructed in 1873 to house the public market and administrative offices. It was designed in the High Victorian Gothic style and retains much of its original appearance.^[16]^[17] In 1877, Belleville was legally incorporated as a city.^[14]

In 1998, the city was amalgamated with the surrounding Township of Thurlow to form an expanded City of Belleville as part of Ontario-wide municipal restructuring. The city also annexed portions of Quinte West to the west.

Late 20th-century franchises founded here include the Dixie Lee Fried Chicken chain in 1964 and, in 1978, Journey's End Corporation's economy, limited-service hotel chain.

Geography[]

Belleville is located at the mouth of the Moira River on the Bay of Quinte in southeastern Ontario between the cities of Quinte West to the west and Napanee to the east. These cities are connected by both Ontario's Highway 2 and the Macdonald-Cartier Freeway (Highway 401); The city is also served by Highway 37, running north–south from Belleville towards Tweed to the east of the Moira River; and Highway 62 (once Highway 14 south of 401), northwards towards Madoc, and southward to Prince Edward County over the Bay Bridge.

Belleville is located in a transitional zone which may be considered part of the Central Ontario or Eastern Ontario regions by different sources. Officially, Belleville is properly considered part of the Central Ontario region as it is located west of the St. Lawrence River's starting point, but the city is popularly considered part of Eastern Ontario as it shares the eastern region's area code 613 and K postal code.

Neighbourhoods[]

In addition to the Belleville city centre, the city of Belleville also comprises a number of villages and hamlets, including the following communities: Bayshore, Cannifton, Corbyville, Foxboro, Frink Centre, Gilead, Halloway, Honeywell Corners, Latta, Loyalist, Philipston, Plainfield, Pointe Anne, Roslin (partially), Thrasher's Corners, Thurlow, Thurlow South and Zion Hill.

Climate[]

Belleville's climate has four distinct seasons. The city's traditional humid continental climate (Dfb)(hot summers, cold winters) is moderated by its location near Lake Ontario. The lake moderates temperature extremes, cooling hot summer days and warming cold days during the fall and winter.^{[citation needed]} Because of this, winter snowfall is somewhat limited due to the increased frequency of precipitation falling as rain during the winter months. In the summer months, severe thunderstorm activity is usually limited because of the non-favourable lake breeze conditions. The city, being located on the north shore of Lake Ontario, is also in an unfavourable location for lake effect snow. One notable exception, however, was in December 2010 when 14 cm of snow occurred in one day as a result of a snow band from Lake Ontario. The summer months do not typically experience exceedingly hot temperatures, however, humidity levels can make daytime highs uncomfortable. Summer rainfall is usually modest and delivered by passing thunderstorms or warm fronts. Remnants of tropical systems do pass through on occasion towards summer's end, resulting in one or two days of consistently wet weather. The winter season is highly variable, with the record setting winter of 2007–08 experiencing near 270 cm of snow. Four years later, the winter of 2011–12 experienced only 60 cm of snow. Winter temperatures are also highly variable, even in one season. Air masses change frequently, and while a few days may see above freezing temperatures at a time in January, the next week may bring cold and snowfall. Autumn is usually mild, with an increase in precipitation starting in late September as conditions for fall storms develop. The highest temperature ever recorded in Belleville was 104 °F (40.0 °C) on 9 July 1936.^[18] The coldest temperature ever recorded was −39 °F (−39.4 °C) on 9 February 1934.^[18]

hideClimate data for Belleville, 1981−2010 normals, extremes 1866−present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	14.5 (58.1)	13.0 (55.4)	23.0 (73.4)	29.0 (84.2)	35.0 (95.0)	35.6 (96.1)	40.0 (104.0)	36.1 (97.0)	35.0 (95.0)	28.3 (82.9)	22.2 (72.0)	16.5 (61.7)	40.0 (104.0)
Average high °C (°F)	−2.2 (28.0)	−0.5 (31.1)	4.1 (39.4)	11.7 (53.1)	18.7 (65.7)	23.9 (75.0)	26.8 (80.2)	25.7 (78.3)	21.0 (69.8)	13.7 (56.7)	7.2 (45.0)	1.2 (34.2)	12.6 (54.7)
Daily mean °C (°F)	−6.7 (19.9)	−5.1 (22.8)	−0.4 (31.3)	7.0 (44.6)	13.7 (56.7)	19.0 (66.2)	21.8 (71.2)	20.8 (69.4)	16.3 (61.3)	9.5 (49.1)	3.6 (38.5)	−2.6 (27.3)	8.1 (46.6)
Average low °C (°F)	−11.1 (12.0)	−9.7 (14.5)	−5 (23)	2.3 (36.1)	8.7 (47.7)	14.0 (57.2)	16.9 (62.4)	15.9 (60.6)	11.7 (53.1)	5.3 (41.5)	0.1 (32.2)	−6.3 (20.7)	3.6 (38.5)
Record low °C (°F)	−37.8 (−36.0)	−39.4 (−38.9)	−29.4 (−20.9)	−17.2 (1.0)	−7.2 (19.0)	0.0 (32.0)	6.1 (43.0)	3.3 (37.9)	−1.7 (28.9)	−10 (14)	−22.2 (−8.0)	−34.4 (−29.9)	−39.4 (−38.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	67.3 (2.65)	58.1 (2.29)	62.4 (2.46)	75.8 (2.98)	81.3 (3.20)	74.5 (2.93)	65.1 (2.56)	75.5 (2.97)	91.9 (3.62)	85.2 (3.35)	95.7 (3.77)	79.1 (3.11)	911.6 (35.89)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	30.6 (1.20)	29.4 (1.16)	40.3 (1.59)	69.2 (2.72)	81.2 (3.20)	74.5 (2.93)	65.1 (2.56)	75.5 (2.97)	91.9 (3.62)	84.9 (3.34)	84.7 (3.33)	44.6 (1.76)	771.9 (30.39)
Average snowfall cm (inches)	36.8 (14.5)	28.6 (11.3)	22.1 (8.7)	6.5 (2.6)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.2 (0.1)	11.0 (4.3)	34.5 (13.6)	139.7 (55.0)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)	15.4	11.8	12.0	12.2	12.4	11.6	9.7	10.5	11.3	13.5	14.0	14.2	148.6
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)	5.3	4.9	7.4	11.0	12.3	11.6	9.7	10.5	11.3	13.4	11.4	7.5	116.2
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)	11.7	8.5	6.4	2.1	0.04	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.12	3.7	8.8	41.2
Source: Environment Canada^[18]^[19]

Demographics[]

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1841	2,040	—
1851	4,593	+125.1%
1871	7,305	+59.0%
1881	9,516	+30.3%
1891	9,916	+4.2%
1901	9,117	−8.1%
1911	9,876	+8.3%
1921	12,206	+23.6%
1931	13,790	+13.0%
1941	15,498	+12.4%
1951	19,519	+25.9%
1961	30,655	+57.1%
1971	35,128	+14.6%
1981	34,881	−0.7%
1991	37,243^[a]	+6.8%
1996	37,083^[b]	−0.4%
2001	45,986	+24.0%
2006	48,821	+6.2%
2011	49,454	+1.3%
2016	50,716	+2.6%
^[20] The 1991 and 1996 populations are 44,858 and 45,069 respectively when adjusted to the 2001 boundaries. The 2001 population is 46,029 when adjusted to the 2006 boundaries.

Belleville is the largest urban centre in a much larger market area generally known as the Quinte Region. According to the 2020 World Population Review,^[21] the population of Belleville is 50,716, a 2.6% increase from 2011. The population density is 205.1 people per square km. The median age is 44.7 years old, a bit higher than the national median at 41.2 years old. There are 22,744 private dwellings with an occupancy rate of 95.6%. The median value of a dwelling in Belleville is $229,630 which is a fair bit lower than the national average at $341,556. The median household income (after-taxes) in Belleville is $53,365, somewhat lower than the national average at $61,348.

Belleville's population is mostly of European descent. The racial make up of Belleville is 87.0% White, 7.4% Aboriginal and 5.6% visible minorities. The largest visible minority groups in Belleville are South Asian (1.5%), Black (1.0%), Chinese (0.6%) and Filipino (0.5%). Most of Belleville is either a Christian (67.1%), or affiliates with no religion (30.3%). The remaining 2.6% affiliate with another religion.^[22] In 2016, 91.7% of residents spoke English as their first language while 1.5% spoke French and 6% had a non-official language as their mother tongue.

Bridge Street United Church

Economy[]

Procter & Gamble, Kellogg's, Bardon Supplies Limited, Redpath, W.T. Hawkins Ltd, Sigma Stretch Film Canada, Hexo Cannabis, Autosystems Manufacturing (Magna International), Amer Sports Canada, and Avaya (formerly Nortel) are corporations operating in Belleville. Many other manufacturing sector companies operate within the City of Belleville, including Bioniche Life Sciences, Sprague Foods, Airborne Systems Canada Ltd, Berry Plastics Canada, CPK Interior Products, Hanon (formerly Halla) Climate Control Canada, Reid's Dairy, Parmalat Canada – Black Diamond Cheese Division and Norampac Inc.

Belleville is home to two shopping malls: The Bay View Mall in east-end Belleville and the Quinte Mall along Bell Boulevard (south of Highway 401) in North Belleville. In January 2017 a Shorelines Casino opened on Bell Boulevard.

Arts and culture[]

Theatre[]

Pinnacle Playhouse
The Empire Theatre
Moonpath Productions

Annual events[]

January

Civic Levee

February

Downtown Docfest

March

Quinte Sportsman Boat & RV Show

May

Quinte Trash Bash
5k Fun Run
Front Street Farmers Market

June

Berrylicious
Rockfest

July

Belleville's Canada D'Eh
Waterfront and Ethnic Festival
Belleville Poutine Feast

August

Quinte Ribfest
Dragon Boat Festival

September

Quinte Fall Fair and Exhibition
Porchfest Belleville

November

Belleville Festival of Trees
Belleville Nighttime Santa Claus Parade
Christmas at the Pier

December

Christmas at the Pier

Sports[]

The Belleville Senators play in the American Hockey League (AHL) and began play in the 2017–18 season as the top minor league affiliate of the National Hockey League's Ottawa Senators.^[23] They play at the CAA Arena, formally Yardmen Arena, located on 265 Cannifton Road.

Belleville Bulls played in the Ontario Hockey League from 1981 to 2015. The team was then sold and relocated to Hamilton, Ontario. Belleville was also previously home to two senior hockey teams, the Belleville Macs and the Belleville McFarlands. Belleville is also home the Bay of Quinte Yacht Club, which challenged for the America's Cup in 1881. Belleville also sports minor hockey league teams such as the Belleville Bearcats (female) and the Belleville Jr. Bulls (male).

The Belleville McFarlands were a men's senior ice hockey team in the Ontario Hockey Association Senior division from 1956 to 1961. The McFarlands were Allan Cup champions in 1958, defeating the Kelowna Packers four games to three, and the World Championship in 1959. The team name was revived by a later team in the Eastern Ontario Senior Hockey League from 2003 to 2006, known as the Belleville Macs

Shannonville Motorsport Park has hosted rounds of the Canadian Touring Car Championship, the Canadian Superbike Championship and the CASC Ontario Region championships.

Government[]

Belleville City Hall

Local government is represented by Belleville City Council with a mayor and eight councillors. There are two city wards with Ward 1 (Belleville) represented by six councillors and Ward 2 (Thurlow) by two councillors. Ward 1 consists of the historic city and Ward 2 was created in 1998 with the amalgamation of Township of Thurlow. City Council sits at Belleville City Hall.

Police Service[]

The city has had its own police force since 1834, and constables since 1790.^[24] The force has about 116 members headed by a chief of police and a deputy chief. The service is stationed out of one location only. Policing on provincial highways is provided by the Ontario Provincial Police from the Napanee detachment.

Infrastructure[]

Transportation[]

Belleville is serviced by the 401 highway system, and bus service to and from Toronto Pearson International Airport is provided by Megabus. Deseronto Transit provides public transportation services to destinations including Deseronto, Napanee, and Prince Edward County.^[25]

Belleville is located on the Toronto-Montreal main rail lines for both Canadian National Railway and Canadian Pacific Railway; both companies provide freight access. VIA Rail also operates five daily passenger services each way along its Windsor–Québec rail corridor.

Major routes in Belleville[]

Highway 62
Highway 37/Cannifton Road Parkway
Highway 2/Dundas Street.
Bell Boulevard/Adam Street
College Street/Airport Parkway

Hospital[]

Belleville General Hospital is located near Highway 2 and is Belleville's main healthcare facility. The hospital is one of the four hospitals in the region under Quinte Health Care. The corporate headquarters of Quinte Health Care is located in the Belleville location.^[26]

Education[]

Post-secondary[]

The Academy of Learning College is a local college located on the east end of Belleville.

Loyalist College is a local public community college located on the border of Belleville and Quinte West on Wallbridge Loyalist Road.

Public schools[]

The public school system is served by the Hastings & Prince Edward District School Board. The Catholic School system is served by the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board.

Secondary schools:

Centennial Secondary School
Eastside Secondary School
Bayside Secondary School (Quinte West)

Elementary schools:

Susanna Moodie Elementary School
Parkdale Public Elementary School
Queen Elizabeth Elementary School
Prince of Wales Elementary School
Harry J. Clarke Elementary School (French immersion)
Queen Victoria Elementary School
Sir John A Macdonald School
Prince Charles Elementary School
Foxboro Public School
Bayside Elementary School] (French immersion}
Harmony Public School

Separate schools[]

The following are Belleville area schools managed by the Algonquin and Lakeshore Catholic District School Board.