Once referred to as Cameron Falls, this village was named after Father Abbe Fenelon, a Sulpician Missionary who came to Canada in 1667.  The Village of Fenelon Falls was incorporated in 1874 and by 1876 it had access to the Victoria Railway.

The village is located in Central Ontario, less than a two hour drive north-east from Toronto.   In the year 2000, an amalgamation of Victoria County communities took place and Fenelon Falls became a part of The City of Kawartha Lakes.  Today Fenelon's population is just over 2,000 residents.

The area is very rich in native and pioneer history.  More than 10,000 years ago  Paleo-Indians  inhabited the area. Two thousand years ago came the  Southern Woodland Indians  who set up temporary camps.

In 1615, explorer Samuel de Champlain travelled via the river system.  Huron and Ojibway Indians  inhabited the area.  Actually " Kawartha " is an Ojibwa word meaning " shining waters ".

Since the turn of the century, tourism has been an important aspect of the community. Situated between two lakes, Cameron and Sturgeon, this area is home to many summer resorts, lodges and cottages.

Although hidden from plain view – as the town elders did not want to move the road which crosses over the river due to potential high costs –  the  Falls of Fenelon  is indeed a spectacular sight viewed from paths built to the north and from nearby restaurants. The Falls themselves pour into a limestone gorge known to locals as the  Fenelon River.

Over the years fishing has become a very popular sport in  Fenelon Falls.  The  Trent-Severn Waterway System  is another reason why tourists stop by.  Lock 34, built in 1963 to replace two older locks, is 142 feet long and 35 feet wide.  The lock boasts an 8 foot steel door at the top and 35 foot steel one at the bottom.  It takes ten to fifteen minutes for boats to lock through.  The Locks have become a popular tourist attraction over the years and are also lit up during the Christmas Season.  Parks Canada  is responsible for the maintenance and operation of the locks.

The village has been crowned with the title   “ Jewel of the Kawarthas ”.  The local Chamber of Commerce organizes a night-time Santa Claus Parade  – which has existed since the 1930’s.  The local  Museum  is found at the end of Oak Street in a beautiful squared-timber home built in 1873 by James Wallis.

As you walk the streets of  Fenelon Falls  circa 2008, you will find wonderful antique shops, a variety of restaurants & coffee houses, beautiful flower shops and trendy clothing boutiques. You will also experience lovely beaches, boating and snowmobiling.  Most importantly you will encounter a friendly and laid back atmosphere !

As best described by one of our local residents : 

And regarding that railway line we connected to back in 1876 :   It is now the wonderful  Victoria Rail Recreation Corridor  available for walking, hiking, biking, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.  [link]