Petawawa

Petawawa is a town located in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario. Situated in the Ottawa Valley, with a population of 17,187 (2016 Census). Petawawa is the most populous municipality in Renfrew County.

For other uses, see Petawawa (disambiguation).
Petawawa
Town (lower-tier)
Town of Petawawa
Emerald Necklace Trail and the Petawawa River
Petawawa
Coordinates: 45°54′N 77°17′W
Country Canada
Province Ontario
CountyRenfrew
Incorporated (town)July 1, 1997
Government
 • MayorBob Sweet
 • Governing BodyPetawawa Town Council
 • MPsCheryl Gallant
 • MPPJohn Yakabuski
Area
 • Land164.68 km2 (63.58 sq mi)
Population
 (2016)
 • Total17,187
 • Density103.1/km2 (267/sq mi)
 Source: Canada 2016 Census
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Postal code
K8H
WebsiteTown of Petawawa

Geography

The town lies on the west bank of the Ottawa River, at the confluence of the Petawawa River. Situated across the Ottawa River from the Laurentian Mountains, and east of Algonquin Park, Petawawa is a favorite stop for outdoor enthusiasts, anglers, hikers, canoers, and kayakers.

Transportation

Ontario Highway 17, Greyhound bus lines, Ontario Northlands bus service from Ottawa and the local commercial airport (Pembroke Airport) located in Petawawa, all provide access to this town.

Primary industries

Petawawa's primary employer is the Canadian Government. Most of Petawawa's residents work as civilian employees, or as members of the Canadian Forces at CFB Petawawa which is home to 2 Canadian Mechanized Brigade Group and 4 Canadian Division Support Group.[2]

Another major employer is Chalk River Laboratories located nearby in Chalk River.[3]

History

The earliest settlement in the Petawawa area was inhabited by the Algonquin First Nation. The name of Petawawa originates from a local Algonquin language word, biidaawewe, meaning "where one hears a noise like this". The spelling of the name of the town was Petewawa until at least 1916.[4] There are no sources showing when the official name was changed from Petewawa to Petawawa, but photographs after 1916 with the former spelling have not been found.[5] While the records of the official name change are non-existent, it has been speculated that the influx of immigration to the area changed the pronunciation of the word from its native roots to a more European pronunciation. Over time this may have changed the spelling of the Town's name into the present day format.

Historical populations
YearPop.±%
19511,017—    
19614,509+343.4%
19715,784+28.3%
19815,520−4.6%
19915,793+4.9%
19966,540+12.9%
200114,398+120.2%
200614,651+1.8%
201115,988+9.1%
201617,187+7.5%
Pre-2001 figures are for the Village of Petawawa; 2001 figures onward are for the Town of Petawawa.

In the late 19th century, the area was surveyed and settled by emigres from Scotland, Ireland and Germany. The land was unsuitable for crops, but the heavily forested surroundings were useful for logging. Petawawa was incorporated as a township in 1865. The Canadian military acquired land in the area in 1905, which later became Canadian Forces Base Petawawa. During this period it was used as an internment camp for German POWs during World War I.[6] and World War II. Later, it became home to the Canadian Airborne Regiment before it was disbanded in 1995. Today, it is one of Canada's largest ground forces bases with members deployed throughout the world on various missions supporting the United Nations in peacekeeping or the War on Terror.

In 1961, the urban area of Petawawa was incorporated as a separate village. On July 1, 1997, the village and township re-amalgamated to form the Town of Petawawa. [7]

Climate

Petawawa has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb) with long, cold, snowy winters and warm summers.

Communities
View from Petawawa ski hill

In addition to the primary urban core of Petawawa, the town also comprises the communities of Black Bay, Kramer Subdivision, Laurentian View, McGuire, Petawawa Point, Pine Meadows, Pine Ridge, Pinehurst Estates and Riverview.

Notable residents

Entertainers

Sports

Journalists

  • Phillip (Phil) Ambroziak, award-winning journalist & editor[10]

See also

References
  1. "2011 Census Profile".
  2. "Welcome to 2 CMBG". National Defence Canada. Archived from the original on 2011-08-11. Retrieved 2011-08-11.
  3. "NRU Status Report #4". Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. Archived from the original on 2009-05-24. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
  5. Canada, Government of Canada, Library and Archives. "Archives Search - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca.
  6. "Internment Camps in Canada during the First and Second World Wars, Library and Archives Canada".
  7. "Census Profile, 2016 Census - Renfrew, Town [Census subdivision], Ontario and Petawawa, Town [Census subdivision], Ontario". 2.statcan.gc.ca. Retrieved 2018-07-20.
  8. "Petawawa A, Ontario". Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000 (in English and French). Environment Canada. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
  9. "Petawawa Nat Forestry, Ontario". Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000 (in English and French). Environment Canada. Retrieved February 7, 2013.
  10. nurun.com. "A hall of fame for Petawawa?". Pembroke Daily Observer.

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