Port Elgin, a modern town on the Lake Huron coast, is actually an ancient place.  As early as the year 1340 it was the site of a Petun First Nations community of some 500 people with a dozen long houses and a double palisade.  It was named the Nodwell Indian Site after the farmer who discovered its remains while ploughing.

Lachlan “Loch Buie” McLean was one of the first Europeans to arrive in Port Elgin. He built a shanty that became a tavern where settlers on their way to the surrounding townships could rest.  In 1855, there were seven buildings in the village, two of them taverns.  When a pier was built, the community grew rapidly to include a sawmill, brickyard, wagon maker, woollen mill and one doctor.

Long a tourist destination, in recent years this town of handsome churches and homes has witnessed major changes due to its proximity to the Bruce Nuclear Generating Station.  From its humble beginnings, Port Elgin has grown to become a popular summer resort, a working community, and a year-round retirement home of choice. 

Believe It or Not

Everyone in Port Elgin knew Bob Stephenson.  Arriving in town at the age of six weeks in 1857, he soon became a well-known blacksmith who could use his hammer with either hand.  Serving in the same blacksmith shop from 1876 to 1944, he is estimated to have shod 330,000 horses using 2,640,000 horse shoe nails.  Bob was a great blacksmith.

Port Elgin’s Beach

Port Elgin’s beach is a community centerpiece. It’s site to a flea market on Wednesdays, to beach carnivals on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and to bandshell concerts with local talent on Sunday nights. Beach-goers play mini-golf, join games of volleyball, walk the docks of the harbour and hop aboard the miniature steam train that chugs into Northshore Park.
The beach itself has a long, shallow, sandy bottom – ideal for tots. Families also appreciate the play equipment on the main beach and at Northshore Park. For food, ice cream and other refueling, there are two beachside restaurants. At dusk, the breakwall is the place to sit and watch the sunset.

Amenities: Public washrooms, showers, change rooms, concessionaire, free parking, marina, boat launch

Besides the Beach

    •    The miniature 24-gauge steam train offers a mile-long chug along the harbour to Northshore Park. It runs five times a day, Tuesday through Sunday. “The Station” also has 18 holes of mini golf and a practice green.
    •    Stroll the shops downtown.
    •    Cycle the shore roads and the Saugeen Rail Trail.
    •    Cycle to MacGregor Point Provincial Park.

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