Chalk River

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Main Street in Chalk River.

Chalk River (2006 pop.: 800) is a Canadian rural community part of the Laurentian Hills municipality in Renfrew County, Ontario. It is located in the Upper Ottawa Valley along Highway 17 (Trans-Canada Highway), 10 km inland (west) from the Ottawa River, approximately 21 km northwest of Petawawa, and 182 km northwest of Ottawa. Chalk River was a separate municipality until January 1, 2000, when the United Townships of Rolph, Buchanan, Wylie and McKay and the Village of Chalk River were merged together.^[1]

Chalk River's area is environmentally pristine with extensive forests, hills and numerous small lakes all of which support a variety of wildlife typical to the southern edge of the Canadian Shield.

St. Anthony's Elementary School is the only educational institution in the community, instructing grades Junior Kindergarten to Grade 8. It provides catholic education to the children in the neighborhood, with a church next door. Students in higher grades are bussed to nearby Deep River.

The town consists mainly of detached houses with some townhouses and an apartment building. Local services include stores (DJ's Variety), a gas station, and two restaurants (Treetop and the Roadhouse). The Chalk River library, the Lions Hall, and the Legion all play an important part in the community.

Local recreational activities include hiking, fourwheeling, and biking. In the winter, snowmobile and cross country ski trails can be enjoyed. A skating rink and baseball diamond are also present.

History

The town was first settled in the mid-19th century and named in 1875 after the Chalk River (named for the chalk loggers used to mark logs) flowing just south of the community.

Chalk River played an increasingly important role in settlement of the Upper Ottawa Valley after a Canadian Pacific Railway line was constructed through the area.

Local employers

• The community borders the northern edge of CFB Petawawa.

• The Chalk River Laboratories is a nuclear research centre named after the community. It is located on the bank of the Ottawa River in the neighbouring community of Deep River

• The Canadian Forest Service maintains the Petawawa Research Forest nearby.

• Bubble Technology Industries

References

1. ^ "Municipal Profiles". County of Renfrew. http://www.countyofrenfrew.on.ca/municipalprofiles.htm. Retrieved 2009-01-15. 

External links

• The Former Residents of Buchanan Township
• TransCanadaHighway.com profile

Coordinates: 46°01′N 77°27′W / 46.017°N 77.45°W / 46.017; -77.45