Kingston Mills

Rideau Canal National Historic Site

This is the site of the first mill built on the Rideau Canal, that being the King’s Mill constructed at the Cataraqui Falls in 1784. The site today features a set of three lower locks, a turning basin and a fourth detached upper lock. The main CN rail line crosses over the lower locks, and one of the four blockhouses along the Rideau is located here. Gas is available downstream at marinas in Kingston.

How to get here

Kingston Mills

563 Kingston Mills Road
Kingston, Ontario

GPS: 44°17'33"N 76°26'31"W


Hours of Operation

Phone
613-507-3188

Email
rideau@pc.gc.ca

Navigational data
  • Distance from Ottawa: 195.2 km (121.3 mi)
  • Distance from Kingston: 6.9 km (4.3 mi)
  • Nautical chart: #1513 (Sheet 4)
  • Number of locks: 4 (3 in flight)
  • Lock length: 40.8 m (134 ft)
  • Lock width: 9.7 m (33 ft)
  • Average lift: 3.0 m (9.8 ft), 10.7 m (35.2 ft)
Facilities and services
History

The lockstation is connected to other transport routes. The railway replaced the canal, which is evident from the railway bridge which spans part of the lower flight of locks. The causeway spanning the upper detached lock dates from before the canal. This road once connected Kingston and Montreal. The presence of mills, inns, taverns and a quarry show that the local village was not entirely dependent on Kingston. In fact, the area provided Kingston with products such as lumber and flour.

Read more history about this lockstation
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