10 things you didn’t know about Merrickville

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Merrickville is a very popular destination for day trips from Ottawa—after all, it has cute shops, nice restaurants and a primo location on the Rideau Canal. But did you know these 10 fun facts about Merrickville, Ontario?

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Merrickville has a glass-blowing studio

Ever wanted to learn how glass artists make those brilliantly coloured Christmas ornaments and sinuous vases? In normal times, you can drop by Gray Art Glass in Merrickville to watch glassblowers at work and shop for elegant glass pieces. At the minute, visits are by appointment only and there are no glassblowing demonstrations.

A Merrickville mill owner really annoyed Colonel By

In the “best-laid plans” department: Rideau Canal builder Colonel John By planned to hold a grand opening for the northern section of the canal in 1831. The idea was for a whole bunch of VIPs to board a steamship in Ottawa and cruise down the canal to Burritts Rapids.

However, a mill owner named William Mirick (whose surname’s spelling later morphed to Merrick) had other ideas. Because the Rideau River was already low, he decided it was the perfect time to make some repairs to his mills in what is now Merrickville. He built a dam that cut off so much water flow to the canal that it was no longer navigable. As a result, By had to reschedule the festivities until 1832. Author Ken W. Watson tells the whole tale.

It was designed to be a major point on the Rideau Canal

William Mirick’s antics notwithstanding, Merrickville was designed as a major stop along the Rideau Canal. Its blockhouse, now a national historic site, is the largest such structure on the canal. And the Merrickville locks include, unusually, two large basins where vessels could unload and turn around.

You can visit a spectacular nursery/display garden

At Rideau Woodland Ramble, just outside Merrickville, you can wander through lovely gardens and then, inspired, you can buy plants and lawn art to take home. Here are the garden’s pandemic protocols for visitors; please read them before visiting.

Merrickville has a jazz festival

Sure, Montreal and Montreux might be better known, but Merrickville’s Jazz Fest—due to mark its 10th anniversary in October 2020, if allowed—is much more laid back and easier to navigate. As I write this, the organizers are still hoping this year’s event can take place.

You can nosh on gourmet mustard and gelato

OK, I cheated with this one: Mrs. McGarrigle’s Fine Food Shop isn’t exactly a secret. It’s probably one of the village’s best-known shops, at least among foodies. As well as yummy mustards—I’m partial to the chipotle lime and balsamic-and-cracked-pepper varieties, myself—the store sells chocolate, granola, tea, sauces, dishes and more. It is currently open limited hours.

So perhaps you knew about the mustard…but did you know about the gelato? Beloved Ottawa gelato shop Stella Luna also has an outpost in Merrickville, where you can get coffees, baked goods and paninis in addition to super-rich gelato.

Merrickville was home to Harry “Big Pants” McLean

Harry Falconer McLean appears to have been a larger-than-life guy in every sense of the word. He earned the nickname “Big Pants” because he was on the roly-poly side. He built railroads and airstrips. He owned multiple cars and planes. Perhaps most remarkably, he was known for his habit of giving away money to total strangers—including, possibly, by tossing large bills out of a hotel room window. He ended his days in Merrickville, where he bought a former department store building at the corner of St. Lawrence and Main streets that is officially known as the Jakes-McLean Block.

It was officially dubbed Canada’s Most Beautiful Village

An organization called Communities in Bloom dubbed Merrickville Canada’s Most Beautiful Village in a 1998 competition. In 2019, the village was a finalist to regain the honour, which recognizes communities for their beautification efforts and green space initiatives.

You could, theoretically, walk to Merrickville

Merrickville lies on the Rideau Trail, a 387km hiking route that connects Ottawa and Kingston. Some of the trail is close to the Rideau River and Rideau Canal, but it also winds over hills, through forests and along rocky outcrops. (The southern section, closer to Kingston, is generally more rugged than the section closer to Ottawa.) Even though the trail passes through lots of cities and towns, it’s not an urban stroll. Check the trail’s website for details on preparation, trail etiquette and more, and get the free PDF maps you need here.

Merrickville accommodations

You can use the map below to find places to stay in Merrickville, including inns and B&Bs.

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If you liked this post, you might also enjoy 10 things you didn’t know about Brockville and 10 things you didn’t know about Almonte.

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