History

The Town of Picton
Picton was incorporated into a town in 1837. The Original land grants were given to an Empire Loyalist, Benjamin Hallowell. His settlement started on the east side of the mouth of Hallowell Bay, later the port of Picton. The West side of Hallowell Bay was settled by Rev. Mccauley, who wanted the growing town to be named after his distant relative, General Picton

Hallowell had been Commissioner of Customs at the port of Boston, during the days of the famous Boston Tea Party.

By the late 1700’s, there were docks at the water’s edge and boats being built. In the early 1800’s, Lumber became the first important industry in the County and Hallowell wharves handled the loading and unloading from the schooners that began to regularly visit Picton Bay.

By 1816, there was a regular boat service from Kingston to York (now Toronto), stopping at Hallowell for passengers.

By the early 1830’s the harbour was full of ships and small boats. Stage Coach Service was passing through Hallowell from Toronto to Kingston, via the Glenora Ferry. A Post office was established in 1831 and the only weekly newspaper between Toronto and Kingston began printing in 1830. This became the Picton Gazette, which still publishes news of the County.
It was also at this time that Sir John A. Macdonald Practiced law in the town. He was also a Director for the district Grammar School.

In the 1840’s, the number of ships, steamboats, and schooners increased and shipbuilding was an important industry at the harbour.

The town continued to grow and expand and the two towns of Hallowell and Picton became one. This was due to the influence of Rev Macaulay.

By 1860, the town had over 1500 residents and the port was increasingly busy. It was the main route to bring supplies in and export the wares of the county.

“The Barley Days” of the county brought about the agricultural heyday of the County and the Barley and hops grown were shipped from the county to nearby distilleries. This was also the time of greatest shipbuilding in the county, with 29 ships built in Picton alone between 1853 and 1890.

The arrival of the railway to the county in 1878 heralded the end of reliance on water transport and the ports of the Great Lakes lost their previous importance.

The harbour still was an active place but over the years turned more to pleasure craft. Today, boaters from across Ontario, Quebec and the northern US  visit the harbour at Picton and enjoy the pleasures of the waters and quiet coves of Prince Edward County.