In 1829, the Gatineau Valley narrowly escaped becoming Britain’s version of, “Congratulations—you’ve been sentenced to spectacular scenery.” Oui, c’est vraie!! That is a fascinating piece of local history! John MacTaggart, who served as the Clerk of Works for the Rideau Canal project under Colonel John By, was notorious for his bluntly honest and often cynical observations of the Canadian…

Whale Sightings Outside Smiths Falls– Part 2

    Some people thought I was nuts when I first wrote a story about whale bones being found outside Smiths Falls in 2015.

If you didn’t know– Lanark County used to be part of the Champlain Sea. There are not a lot of fossils in Lanark County, but it has been reported that whale bones were found in a few places. “The remainder of a Humpback Whale was found near an empty pit at Welsh’s Station…

Whale Sighting in Packenham and Smiths Falls - Holy Seaworld

For the past few nights I have been reading about the geography and terrain of Lanark County. Odd hobby I agree, but it is the basis of our area and how it formed. If you didn’t know, Lanark County used to be part of the Champlain Sea. There are not a lot of fossils in Lanark County, but it has been reported that whale bones were found in a few places. The remainder of a Humpback Whale was found…