Pelee, Ontario
Pelee Island | |
|---|---|
| Township of Pelee | |
 Aerial photo of Pelee Island | |
 Seal | |
 | |
  Pelee Island Location within Ontario  Pelee Island Location within Canada | |
| Coordinates:41°46′30″N82°39′35″W/ 41.77500°N 82.65972°W | |
| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Cathy Miller |
| Area | |
| • Total | 41.79 km2(16.14 sq mi) |
| Population (2020)[1] | |
| • Total | 230 |
| • Density | 5.5/km2(14/sq mi) |
| Area codes | 519,226,548 |
Pelee Island/ˈpiliː/is anislandin the Canadian province ofOntario.It is located in the western half ofLake Erie.At 42 km2(16 sq mi), Pelee Island is the largest island in Lake Erie and the southernmost populated point in Canada. An Ontario Historical Plaque was erected by the province to commemorate the development of Pelee Island's role in Ontario's heritage.[2]NearbyMiddle Islandis the southernmost point of land in Canada.
Due to its southerly location and the moderating effect of Lake Erie, it has a slightly milder climate than inland areas.[3]Its climate is one of the mildest in Canada, and the island has been used for vineyards and wine making since 1860, though local wine making died out in the early twentieth century and was restarted in the 1980s by thePelee Island Winery.[4]The island is an agricultural-based community, which grows about 2,000 hectares (5,000 acres) of soybeans, about 400 hectares (1,000 acres) of wheat, 200 hectares (500 acres) of grapes, and a few hectares of specialty corn.
The island is connected to the Canadian mainland and the United States by ferry service. It is a part of an important flyway for migrating birds betweenOhio,the Lake Erie islands andPoint Pelee.For many years, the island has hosted a fall pheasant hunt which attracts hunters from Canada, the United States and many other countries. The pheasant hunt brings tourist dollars to Pelee at a time of year when virtually no other activities are available, thus generating important revenue in the offseason.
History
[edit]Evidence of occupation by indigenous peoples can be dated back 10,000 years through archaeological evidence of projectiles and ceremonial objects.[5]European settlement of the island began in 1788 when the land was leased toThomas McKeeby theOjibwaandOdawatribes. William McCormick bought the island in 1823 and the McCormick family settled permanently in 1834.[6]In addition tosubsistence agriculture,the island's lumber, stone quarries, and fishing supported inhabitants. Wine making on Pelee Island began in the 1860s.
Pelee Island features an original 1833 lighthouse that was once used to guide sailors through the rocky Pelee Passage. Lake Erie is full of shipwrecks; Pelee Passage alone contains the remains of at least 15 shipwrecks. One wreck that is particularly close to the island,JJ Carroll,is just 100 feet (30 m) off the eastern shore of Fish Point.
Pelee was the site of a battle during thePatriot War.The Battle of Pelee Island took place along what is now the Michigan-Ontario border in 1838 involving small groups of men on each side of the border seeking to "liberate" Upper Canada from the British. On February 26, 1838, 300 men captured the island, and on March 3 they were repulsed and either fled the island or were captured.
Geography
[edit]Climate
[edit]Due to its southerly location and the moderating effect of Lake Erie, it has a slightly milderclimatethan inland areas.[3]Its climate is one of the mildest in Canada outside ofBritish Columbia,and the island has long been used for vineyards and wine making. It has the longest frost free season in Ontario.[7]It lies within theCarolinian forestregion. The island has ahumid continental climate(Köppen climate classificationDfa) and falls into the USDAPlant Hardiness Zone7a.[8][9]Winters are cold with a January average of −5.0 °C (23.0 °F) and the average annual snowfall is 76 centimetres (29.9 in), which falls mainly from November to April.[10]Summers are warm and humid with a July high of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F) and a low of 18.9 °C (66.0 °F).[10]Temperatures rarely go over 32 °C (89.6 °F), averaging 4 days per year.[11]Pelee island and Point Pelee receive the fewest days with precipitation in Ontario, averaging 75 days with measurable precipitation, and drought-like conditions occur every 4–5 years.[12]The average annual precipitation is 891 millimetres (35 in) which is evenly distributed throughout the year with January and February being the driest months.[10]The record low was −31.5 °C (−24.7 °F) on January 20, 1985 and the record high was 41.1 °C (106.0 °F) on July 24, 1934.[10]
| Climate data for Pelee Island | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 17.2 (63.0) |
18.3 (64.9) |
23.9 (75.0) |
33.0 (91.4) |
37.2 (99.0) |
40.6 (105.1) |
41.1 (106.0) |
37.8 (100.0) |
36.7 (98.1) |
31.1 (88.0) |
24.4 (75.9) |
18.0 (64.4) |
41.1 (106.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −2.0 (28.4) |
−0.3 (31.5) |
5.1 (41.2) |
11.3 (52.3) |
18.0 (64.4) |
24.2 (75.6) |
27.5 (81.5) |
26.3 (79.3) |
22.7 (72.9) |
16.2 (61.2) |
8.1 (46.6) |
1.8 (35.2) |
13.2 (55.8) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −5 (23) |
−3.6 (25.5) |
1.7 (35.1) |
7.4 (45.3) |
13.9 (57.0) |
19.9 (67.8) |
23.2 (73.8) |
22.2 (72.0) |
18.5 (65.3) |
12.4 (54.3) |
5.4 (41.7) |
−0.9 (30.4) |
9.6 (49.3) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −8.1 (17.4) |
−7.0 (19.4) |
−1.9 (28.6) |
3.4 (38.1) |
9.7 (49.5) |
15.5 (59.9) |
18.9 (66.0) |
18.1 (64.6) |
14.2 (57.6) |
8.6 (47.5) |
2.5 (36.5) |
−3.7 (25.3) |
5.8 (42.4) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −31.5 (−24.7) |
−27.2 (−17.0) |
−21.1 (−6.0) |
−15.0 (5.0) |
−1.7 (28.9) |
1.1 (34.0) |
5.6 (42.1) |
5.0 (41.0) |
1.1 (34.0) |
−5.6 (21.9) |
−12.8 (9.0) |
−24.5 (−12.1) |
−31.5 (−24.7) |
| Averageprecipitationmm (inches) | 47.2 (1.86) |
39.5 (1.56) |
67.9 (2.67) |
82.0 (3.23) |
86.4 (3.40) |
92.2 (3.63) |
78.9 (3.11) |
87.4 (3.44) |
86.0 (3.39) |
55.5 (2.19) |
83.7 (3.30) |
84.1 (3.31) |
890.8 (35.07) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 24.2 (0.95) |
23.0 (0.91) |
58.7 (2.31) |
79.9 (3.15) |
86.4 (3.40) |
92.2 (3.63) |
78.9 (3.11) |
87.4 (3.44) |
86.0 (3.39) |
55.5 (2.19) |
79.3 (3.12) |
64.5 (2.54) |
816.1 (32.13) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 23.0 (9.1) |
18.3 (7.2) |
9.0 (3.5) |
2.1 (0.8) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
4.1 (1.6) |
19.6 (7.7) |
76.0 (29.9) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.2 mm) | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 84 |
| Average rainy days(≥ 0.2 mm) | 2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 70 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.2 cm) | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 15 |
| Source: Environment Canada[10] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
[edit]In the2021 Census of Populationconducted byStatistics Canada,Pelee had a population of230living in122of its374total private dwellings, a change of-2.1% from its 2016 population of235.With a land area of 41.03 km2(15.84 sq mi), it had a population density of5.6/km2(14.5/sq mi) in 2021.[13]
Economy
[edit]Tourism
[edit]Pelee Island is a popular tourist destination, with thousands of visitors each year. There are several key events such as the Annual Springsong Weekend, a celebration of birds and books, traditionally held on Mother's day weekend, and hosted by famed Canadian authorMargaret Atwood.[14]Pelee Island Stone & Sky Music & Art Seriesfeature spoken word, live performance and visual arts weekly for the duration of the summer. The Stone & Sky Farmer's Market is held every Saturday in the Quarry throughout the summer. The southernmost Chili Cook Off takes place at the Pelee Island Winery Pavilion. The season wraps with the Heritage Weekend, hosted by the Pelee Island Heritage Centre.
Canada Dayis celebrated on the island with a fireworks display and a parade along the West Shore Road.[15]
The Pelee Island Half Marathon attracts runners from both the United States and Canada to participate in what is billed as Canada's southernmost and most exclusive half-marathon. Only about 350 runners are allowed to register for the race which is held the first weekend in June.[16]
Ecotourism
[edit]Pelee Island has features that make it anecotouristdestination. Pelee is the southernmost inhabited part of Canada and is situated on two major migratory bird routes, theAtlantic Flywayand theMississippi flyway.The island has been designated as a globallyImportant Bird Area(IBA) by the Canadian partners of BirdLife International: the Canadian Nature Federation (CNF) and Bird Studies Canada (BSC).[17]IBAs are described as “truly outstanding sites of significance nationally or internationally and sites that are exceptionally important for birds”. Every year the return of the migratory birds is celebrated on Pelee with the Annual Springsong Weekend, usually taking place on Mother's Day weekend. Pelee Island Bird Observatory located on the island work to conserve and study birds on the island, and offers visitors the opportunity to take part in tracking, tagging and photographing the wide variety of species present.
Pelee Island is one of Ontario's most botanically significant sites, and features severalNature Conservancy of Canadaareas, and two Provincial Nature Reserves, Lighthouse Point Nature Reserve and Fish Point Nature Reserve. Glaciation left a variety of habitats for wildlife, such as wetlands, sand dunes, alvars (areas of limestone with a shallow overburden), and deep soils suitable to the trees of the Eastern Deciduous Forest zone. Pelee Island is home to numerousspecies at riskincluding both flora and fauna as well as insects, snails, mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Government
[edit]Pelee Island is part of the Township of Pelee which has its own mayor, deputy mayor, and three councillors. It is a separatedtownship,separate fromEssex County.The township comprises nine islands, the largest being Pelee Island, and includingMiddle Island,Middle Sister Island,Hen Island,Big Chicken Island,Little Chicken Island,Chick Island,East Sister Island,andNorth Harbour Island.The total land area of all islands in the township is 41.84 km2(16.15 sq mi).
Infrastructure
[edit]Transportation
[edit]
The island is serviced by two ferries, MVPelee Islander IIand MVPelee Islander(owned by Pelee Island Transportation Company, a subsidiary of theOSTC). MVPelee Islander IIis the largest passenger ferry along the Lake Erie route to Pelee Island. The leisurely cruise to Pelee Island can range from one-and-a-half to just over two hours depending on departure routes. The ferry service splits the season between Leamington and Kingsville on the Ontario mainland. Leaving fromLeamingtonfrom early spring until August, the ferry then finishes the season (mid December) in nearbyKingsville.The ferry from Pelee Island to Sandusky, Ohio runs only from late spring until early fall, whilePelee Islander IIruns from the Canadian ports of Leamington and/or Kingsville from early spring until early December.[needs update]When the ferries are not operating, the only practical way to get to the mainland or to Pelee Island is viaairplane.In January 2004, a Cessna 208 Caravan crashed on takeoff from Pelee, killing eight pheasant hunters, the pilot and his girlfriend. The plane crashed into the shallow waters of Lake Erie. It is believed the plane was overloaded and potentially ice-laden according to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada report.[18]
The older MVPelee Islander,which continues to operate, carries 196 passengers and 14 vehicles. MVUpper Canada,which serviced Pelee prior toJiimaan,was sent toLake Huron(the people ofChristian Islandreceived her for transport to and from the mainland) whenJiimaanbegan service to Pelee.Pelee Islanderwas built atErieau, Ontarioin 1960.[19]
In June 2015, the Ontario Government announced that it would invest $40 million in a new ferry, to replace MVPelee Islander.[20]A tender was awarded toAsenavofChileto build the replacement ferry, MV Pelee Islander II, which carries 399 passengers and 34 vehicles.[21]
During the winter season (starting December 11 until the start of the ferry the next year) Pelee Island Transportation Company operates an air service to thePelee Island Airportfrom Windsor.[22]
Emergency services
[edit]There is a medical clinic on the island operated by theVictorian Order of Nurses.This Nursing Station has regular hours of operation during the summer but does not respond to emergencies. In the event of an emergency, visitors or residents of the island are instructed to call 911.[23]Essex-Windsor EMS are on the Island 365 days a year to provide emergency paramedic services.[24]Air Ambulance services are also available to airlift patients to the nearest hospital if necessary.
The Pelee IslandVolunteer Fire Departmentis present on the Island 365 days a year and responds to 911 calls on the Island; the Department is made up of a fire chief, a deputy fire chief, and volunteers.[25]
Police services on the island are provided by theOntario Provincial Police.Officers are present on the island four days a week during the summer, during the annual pheasant hunt in the fall, and on the long weekend in May. During the winter, police will fly to the island to respond to emergency calls only. There are typically two officers on the island at a time. The OPP detachment is located on the second floor of the municipal building.[26]
Education
[edit]Pelee Island has one school which is part of theGreater Essex County District School Boardand serves students fromJunior Kindergartenthrough grade 8. Children on the island can choose to attend high school on the mainland or they can complete high school courses online with the assistance of the teachers at Pelee Island Public School.[27]The school has a student population of about 10 to 20 pupils at any given time and a staff of two to three teachers. Classes are held in a traditional three room school house that was built in 1927 and is located at the north west corner of the island. Every year the children of the school raise money for an annual field trip by holding a raffle during the island's fall pheasant hunt.[28]
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]- ^"2016 Census Profile for Pelee (Township)".2016 Census Data.Statistics Canada. 2018-03-20.RetrievedApril 17,2018.
- ^"The Development of Pelee Island".Ontarioplaques.com.RetrievedDecember 27,2018.
- ^abWake, Winifred Cairns (1997).A Nature Guide to Ontario,p. 47. University of Toronto Press.ISBN0-8020-2755-5.
- ^Aspler, Tony (1999).Vintage Canada: The Complete Reference to Canadian Wines,p. 68. McGraw-Hill Ryerson.ISBN0-07-086043-2.
- ^"History".Pelee Island Heritage Centre.RetrievedDecember 28,2018.
- ^Wilgoren, Jodi (July 29, 2005)."An Island Unto Itself, Loved for What It Lacks".TheNew York Times.RetrievedDecember 28,2018.
- ^"Natural Heritage".Township of Pelee. 4 May 2015. Archived fromthe originalon 17 June 2019.Retrieved17 June2019.
- ^Kottek, M.; J. Grieser; C. Beck; B. Rudolf; F. Rubel (2006)."World Map of the Köppen-Geiger climate classification updated"(PDF).Meteorol. Z.15(3): 259–263.Bibcode:2006MetZe..15..259K.doi:10.1127/0941-2948/2006/0130.RetrievedDecember 22,2012.
- ^"Plant Hardiness Zone by Municipality".Natural Resources Canada.RetrievedOctober 22,2017.
- ^abcde"Pelee Island, Ontario".Canadian Climate Normals 1961–1990(in English and French). Environment Canada.RetrievedJanuary 26,2013.
- ^"Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Pelee Island, Ontario".Weatherbase.RetrievedDecember 22,2012.
- ^"Point Pelee National Park of Canada".Parks Canada.RetrievedDecember 22,2012.
- ^"Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Ontario".Statistics Canada.February 9, 2022.RetrievedApril 2,2022.
- ^"Upcoming Events".Pelee Island Heritage Centre.RetrievedDecember 27,2018.
- ^"My Calendar".Municipality of Pelee Island. 28 May 2015.RetrievedDecember 27,2018.
- ^"Pelee Island Winery Half Marathon 2019".raceroster.com.RetrievedDecember 27,2018.
- ^"IBA Site Listing".Retrieved23 December2017.
- ^"Plane in crash off Pelee Island was ice-laden, overloaded: report".cbc.ca.Canada Broadcasting Corporation. Archived fromthe originalon 4 January 2017.Retrieved23 December2017.
- ^"Pelee Islanderarrives ".boatnerd.com.Archived fromthe originalon 2011-08-12.Retrieved2007-04-24.
- ^"Pelee Island to get new $40 million ferry".CBC News.2015-06-11.Retrieved2017-03-04.
- ^Schmidt, Doug (2015-06-11)."Pelee Island getting new $40M ferry".Windsor Star.Retrieved2017-03-04.
- ^"Pelee Island Transportation Services".Archived fromthe originalon 2013-08-05.
- ^"Pelee Island (VON) Clinic".Municipality of Pelee Island. Archived fromthe originalon December 28, 2018.RetrievedDecember 27,2018.
- ^"Windsor Essex EMS".Municipality of Pelee Island. Archived fromthe originalon December 28, 2018.RetrievedDecember 27,2018.
- ^"Volunteer Fire Department".Municipality of Pelee Island. Archived fromthe originalon December 28, 2018.RetrievedDecember 27,2018.
- ^Sacheli, Sarah (November 12, 2014)."Ministry of Labour investigating police complaints on Pelee Island".TheWindsor Star.RetrievedDecember 27,2018.
- ^"Pelee Island Public School: About Us".Greater Essex County District School Board.RetrievedDecember 27,2018.
- ^Kotsis, Julie (December 20, 2016)."OPP replace stolen money for Pelee Island students' field trip".The Windsor Star.RetrievedDecember 27,2018.
References
[edit]- Pelee township, OntarioArchived2007-03-11 at theWayback MachineStatistics Canada
External links
[edit]Places adjacent to Pelee, Ontario | |
|---|---|
| Authority control databases:National |
|---|
