Kemptville, Ontario, is a charming community nestled in the Municipality of North Grenville in Eastern Ontario, Canada. It is the northernmost part of the United Counties of Leeds and Grenville, approximately 56 km south of Ottawa's downtown core and just a short distance south of the Rideau River.
Access to Kemptville is facilitated by Highway 416, also known as the Veterans Memorial Highway, completed in 1999, and from Leeds and Grenville Road 43. As the largest community in North Grenville, Kemptville is home to about 69% of the municipality's population.
Kemptville boasts three elementary schools, two high schools, three parks, and two hotels. The residential area is primarily located in the south and east parts of the community, with main streets including Rideau, Prescott, Clothier, and Van Buren. Kemptville Creek, which begins southwest of Kemptville and empties into the Rideau River, divides the community in the southeast. The area is largely forested, particularly to the east and north, with farmland covering the rest, especially to the west and south.
Kemptville's history dates back to 1819 when Lyman Clothier, a New England resident, bought 100 acres of land in Oxford-on-Rideau Township. With the help of his sons, Clothier built a sawmill and two dwellings, marking the birth of Kemptville. The mill played a crucial role in facilitating the construction of dwellings for settlers all over Oxford Township.
The Clothiers also established a grist mill, a blacksmith's shop, and a schoolhouse, contributing to the community's growth. The village was initially known as "Clothier's Mill" but was renamed "Kemptville" in 1829 in honor of Sir James Kempt, the Governor of Upper Canada.
Kemptville's growth over the years is marked by significant milestones, from the establishment of the first hotel in 1820 to the opening of North Grenville District High School on Prescott Street in 1936 and St. Michael Catholic High School on County Road 43 in 1999. The community celebrated its 160th Anniversary in 2017 and elected its first female mayor in 2018.
Kemptville, Ontario, offers a temperate climate, making it a comfortable destination for visitors throughout the year. Whether you're interested in history, nature, or community life, Kemptville, Ontario, has something to offer everyone.
