The Rideau Canal system provides an inland waterway for transport of goods and people from Kingston to Ottawa, Ontario(from Canada's original confederation capitol to the current capitol). The Rideau Canal Waterway was constructed following the War of 1812 to insure the ability to transport goods from LAKE at Kingston to Ottawa as a logistical precaution in the event of another war. As much as possible, the canal system utilized existing rivers (primarily the Rideau and Cataraqui Rivers) and lakes, joining them as needed to construct the continuous waterway between the two cities. It took Lt. Col. John By, a British Army Officer and Royal Engineer, seven years to complete the project. The 125 mile long watereway was completed in 1832. Along the route there are 45 locks at 24 stations. The locks in this "oldest continuously operating canal system in North America" are still worked by hand with lockmasters closing and opening the gates and valves that raise and lower the boats traversing the length of the Waterway.

Merrickville sits on the Waterway at Locks #21 - #23. It is about a 1 hour drive along the canal from Ottawa. Merrickville was founded by William Mirick (later changed to Merrick) who received a grant to open a saw mill utilizing the hydropower from the local falls on the Rideau River. The settlement flourished, adding a shingle and a grist mill as well as a foundry and a blacksmith shop. The opening of the Rideau Canal Waterway in 1832 gave the community a period of further growth that lasted until 1860. Growth slowed to a halt when the railroad was not routed through Merrickville. The co mmunity awoke from its slumber in the 1960s as groups began promoting and exploiting the Canal and the towns robust heritage.

This photo tour starts with a look at the locks and their operation, then a walking tour showing some of the shops, signs, windows, doors and buildings of Merrickville and finally a brief look at the ruins of the "Industrial Complex," the site of the original mills on the Rideau River.