RIDEAU CANAL WORKERS

Drinking fountain on the water side of Ontario Street, opposite the Town Hall, Kingston

The fountain is carved on both sides and is inscribed to the labourers who died in the building of the Rideau Canal. It was put up in 2000, supported by several commercial enterprises and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union. “DRINK THIS WATER IN MEMORY OF AN ESTIMATED ONE THOUSAND IRISH LABOURERS AND CO-WORKERS WHO PERISHED DURING THE BUILDING OF THE RIDEAU CANAL.”

An Ontario Government plaque about the “Rideau Canal 1826-1832” is on the south side of Kingston Mills Road, just west of the bridge over the Rideau Canal. It notes the technical ability and perseverance of Lieutenant Colonel John By and also records: “Many of his Irish emigrant labourers died of a virulent fever.”

photo credit: Sheila Cornett