Brief history
Samuel de Champlain first explored what is now Kingston in 1615. In 1673, the French explorers established a fort and trading post there. Kingston became very important militarily to fend off the British and Iroquois. It was also an important as the starting point for exploration missions around the Great Lakes. However, in 1758 the British captured the fort and gained full control of it in 1763. After the American Revolution, there were British citizens in the newly formed United States that needed to flee, so the British government made a large part of Upper Canada an asylum for them in 1783. They named the administrative centre of this area “King’s Town,” after King George III. However, it was not chosen as the capital of Upper Canada. First they chose Newark (Niagara-On-The-Lake) and then York (Toronto). By 1783 Kingston was considered a part of Quebec but became incorporated into Upper Canada in 1791.
Following the War of 1812, there was an economic boom and large population increase due to a large military presence there, and became the largest city in Upper Canada shortly thereafter. The completion of the Rideau Canal 20 years later helped cement this boom. Kingston became the capital city of Upper Canada in 1841, and continued to be so until late 1843. While going down the St. Lawrence River (which Kingston lies on), boats would often stop at Kingston. However, in the mid-1800’s they started passing by it once navigation of the St. Lawrence improved and there was a lesser need to stop as frequently as before. This, along with a reduced military presence caused Kingston’s industries and overall economy to suffer. There was an attempt to revive it through new railways and tax relief from the newly formed Canadian government, but the city’s industrialization was in stagnation.
In 1841 Queen’s University was established, though it was then called “Queen’s College at Kingston”. The Royal Military College was also opened at a similar point in time. This meant that the education was a new sector of employment was born for the city. It still continues to be to this day. The historical monuments in Kingston also provide income in the form of tourism.
Kingston was first a military fort and trading post, then the centre for economic and government activity. Now, though less relevant on the national stage, Kingston remains a booming city with a very rich, old and interesting history that has heavily changed over time.
(The Canadian Encyclopedia)
Following the War of 1812, there was an economic boom and large population increase due to a large military presence there, and became the largest city in Upper Canada shortly thereafter. The completion of the Rideau Canal 20 years later helped cement this boom. Kingston became the capital city of Upper Canada in 1841, and continued to be so until late 1843. While going down the St. Lawrence River (which Kingston lies on), boats would often stop at Kingston. However, in the mid-1800’s they started passing by it once navigation of the St. Lawrence improved and there was a lesser need to stop as frequently as before. This, along with a reduced military presence caused Kingston’s industries and overall economy to suffer. There was an attempt to revive it through new railways and tax relief from the newly formed Canadian government, but the city’s industrialization was in stagnation.
In 1841 Queen’s University was established, though it was then called “Queen’s College at Kingston”. The Royal Military College was also opened at a similar point in time. This meant that the education was a new sector of employment was born for the city. It still continues to be to this day. The historical monuments in Kingston also provide income in the form of tourism.
Kingston was first a military fort and trading post, then the centre for economic and government activity. Now, though less relevant on the national stage, Kingston remains a booming city with a very rich, old and interesting history that has heavily changed over time.
(The Canadian Encyclopedia)
A historic sketch of Kingston, circa 1841