Victoria Harbour: Tay Shore Trail and Local History

Discover Victoria Harbour from two different perspectives: the Tay Shore Trail puts landscape and movement centre stage, while the crossroads, lighthouse and historic buildings offer insights into local history. What would you like to shape your stay more: time on a multi-use trail through varied landscapes, or the story of a place whose buildings and lighthouse have specific names and dates? Both offer a distinct way to experience Victoria Harbour.

Landscape along the Tay Shore Trail

The Tay Shore Trail is 18.5 km long, paved and registered as part of the Trans Canada Trail. It runs through Victoria Harbour, passing wetlands, fields and wooded areas. Along the way, it crosses the Wye, Hogg and Sturgeon rivers. This succession of landscapes and river crossings gives the trail its distinctive character: nature and water are as much a part of the route as its passage through the town.

Its paved surface and 18.5 km length are practical points of reference when considering how much of a place the trail should have in your holiday plans. As a multi-use trail, it offers a clearly defined focus for travellers who also want to experience Victoria Harbour through its landscape. The focus is not just on individual natural features: wetlands, fields and wooded areas alternate along the trail, while crossings of the Wye, Hogg and Sturgeon rivers add further distinctive points along the route.

Beach and facilities at Albert Street Park

Albert Street Park brings several public amenities together in one named location. These include a public beach, a multi-use trail, picnic tables and a pavilion. The park also has public washrooms and a drinking water station. If you would like to combine time outdoors with a break during your trip, the tables and pavilion are practical features to consider. The beach and multi-use trail offer more ways to enjoy your time outdoors.

The lighthouse and the town’s history

The Victoria Harbour Range Light is located at Bergie Point. It was one of two lights built by the Canadian federal government in 1910. Their purpose was to guide ships safely to and from the Port McNicoll Grain Elevator and the Victoria Harbour Lumber Company mills. The Range Light helps guide ships onto a safer course through difficult waters. Its history is tied to a specific year of construction and two named shipping destinations.

Local history and specific buildings also come into focus at the main crossroads of the historic centre: the centre is at the intersection of William Street and Albert Street. The former Company Store stands on the corner of these streets. Dating from 1902, it now operates as Victoria Mercantile Company. This connects the former Company Store with its current business name, while keeping its former role and year of construction in view.

St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church adds another building with a clear date to this account of local history. John Waldie, president of the Victoria Harbour Lumber Company, funded its construction; the church was completed in 1906. It retains nearly all of its original features. The roof is the exception, having been replaced with a steel roof. For visitors interested in building history, these details explain both when the church was built and its state of preservation.

Victoria Harbour’s old library was built in 1914 as a gift from the Waldies to the town. Together with the church and the former Company Store, it adds another building to the historical picture and represents another contribution by the Waldies to the town. These places offer different ways to explore Victoria Harbour’s history.

Discover more places

For more travel ideas: Penetanguishene, Collingwood, Nottawa, Brechin, Orillia, Port Severn, Angus and Innisfil.

For the broader travel overview: Simcoe County.