Community of Newburgh: Past and Present

Newburgh is a picturesque and historic village of about 700 people. It is located in a valley along the Napanee River, and is about 30 minutes from Kingston, 10 minutes from Napanee and around 35 minutes from Belleville, the three largest and closest centres.

Newburgh was first settled in 1820 by the sons and daughters of United Empire Loyalists. The site for the village was originally chosen because of the fast – flowing rapids and waterfalls along this stretch of the river, which were strong enough to power the waterwheels of the soon–to–be–constructed mills. Only a few years later there was a thriving village in the hollow of the valley, informally known as “Rogues’ Hollow”, although no – one nowadays is quite sure of the origin of the nickname. By 1839 the Newburgh Academy, one of the earliest schools in Upper Canada, had been founded. Shortly thereafter, in 1841, the Wesleyan Methodist Church was first established. The original wooden structure was replaced in 1858 by a limestone building which is now home to Newburgh United Church. In 1887 the village suffered through a devastating fire which destroyed much of the downtown area. Many of the original frame buildings were replaced with brick and limestone structures but in parts of the village some of the original frame structures remain.

Although an incorporated village and a distinct political entity, Newburgh became part of Stone Mills Township during the widespread amalgamation of municipalities in the 1990’s. The inhabitants of Newburgh are justifiably very proud of the historic and scenic character of their village. In fact, two books have been published about the village: Rogue’s Hollow – The story of the Village of Newburgh Ontario through its buildings (1983) and Old Newburgh Academy 1939 - 1965 (1977).

While Newburgh is a small village, it has a medical clinic, a post office, a garage, a gas station, two general stores, an LCBO, a picture framing shop, a gallery, an elementary school, a fire hall, and a very active resource centre in the old community hall which is home to a volunteer – run library, fitness and yoga classes, weekly euchre, a playgroup for moms and tots, the seniors’ club and activities for children such as Guides and Sparks. Villagers have access to dial – up (through Bell Canada) and high – speed (through cable tv) internet. The Conservation Area in the centre of the village includes a park area, a children’s playground, a small ball diamond for T – ball and a wonderful pond which the firemen maintain in the winter for community skating and hockey. The pond, and its adjacent conservation area, is also the site of the annual winter Canal Bash which is sponsored by the volunteer firemen. Next to Newburgh Public School is a well – maintained baseball diamond, soccer pitch, two basketball courts, and a beach volleyball court, all of which are used by both children’s and adults’ leagues. Because the elementary school is right in the village, a number of young families have chosen to live here. Highschool students are bused to Napanee District Secondary School, a large composite school in the town of Napanee, to Ernestown Secondary School in Odessa and to Holy Cross, the Catholic school in Kingston. Daycare is available in Camden East (five minutes away) for children 18 months to six years old.

The largest local employers are Embury’s farm – a huge poultry, beef and pork operation outside of the village, the Strathcona Paper Mill which recycles cardboard, about five minutes downstream at Strathcona and the Goodyear Canada tire plant near Napanee. Most people, however, commute to jobs in Kingston, Napanee and Belleville. While it seems to be a quiet little bedroom community on the surface, Newburgh is an active place to live.