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Day Away
Arnprior
WHERE DELIGHTFUL SURPRISES AWAIT
One of the most stunning buildings in Arnprior, this former Post Office
and Customs Warehouse, was designed by architect Thomas Fuller who
designed the Parliament Buildings in Ottawa. Opened in 1897, it was built
from Perth limestone and New Brunswick red sandstone. It is now the
Arnprior and District Museum.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY BARBARA BOTTRIELL
When you drive into Arnprior, it
appears at first glance to be an ordinary
little town with the usual
clutch of eateries and businesses.
But a little digging reveals a town
with some beautiful scenery, lovely
heritage buildings, and several nifty
shops and food outlets.
The first place to go to appreciate
Arnprior’s natural setting is
Robert Simpson Park. When you
come in on Madawaska Boulevard,
turn right at John Street North and
continue to the end of the street.
You will find yourself facing the
Ottawa River with a wonderful
green park and a bandshell overlooking
a sandy beach below. The
river is wide at this point and is
known as Chats Lake. The views are
beautiful and the sweep of the river
reminds you that this was a major
highway for the voyageurs. It’s a
great place to have a picnic or just
sit on a bench and contemplate the
beauty of the Ottawa.
As with many of the Ottawa
Valley towns, water and trees were
the keys to Arnprior’s development.
The Madawaska River runs
right through the middle of
Arnprior to join the Ottawa River,
and it was the Madawaska that powered
the big mill built by Daniel
McLachlin in the 1850s. McLachlin
ran a timber business in Arnprior
and also helped to develop the settlement,
with Arnprior becoming a
village in 1862 and incorporated as
Due West/Due East Magazine • Fall 2008 Ottawa Page 14