spotlight on Bowmanville
The biggest urban centre in the Municipality of Clarington, Bowmanville boasts a combination of old fashioned charm and modern amenities.
Before the arrival of European colonists, Bowmanville was located in an area that was home to the Mississaugas and Chippewas of the Anishinabeg First Nations. The town of Bowmanville was incorporated in 1858, but settlement by Europeans began in the early 1800s.
At the time of Canadian Confederation, Bowmanville was a well-established town with plenty of business and industry. In the early twentieth century the town became home to a number of industries, including Goodyear, the Bowmanville Foundry and the Dominion Organ and Piano company. While most of these are gone now, they have been replaced by a number of other large employers in the area, including St. Mary's Cement, OPG and Toyota.
Highway 2 is the main road running through Bowmanville , which has a population of around 40,000. The town is the administrative centre of the Municipality of Clarington.
Downtown Bowmanville
Downtown Bowmanville offers a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants, many housed in the historic buildings that give the town its unique character. For more information on Bowmanville's downtown, visit the Bowmanville BIA website.
Bowmanville Creek
Located in the heart of the town, Bowmanville Creek offers visitors and residents alike a chance to experience nature in an urban setting. There are several trails, and the highlight of a creek walk (when in season, during the spring and fall) is watching Chinook salmon and trout jump up the fish ladder constructed on the waterway.
Camp 30
Bowmanville has the distinction of being a footnote in World War 2 history. The city was the site of Camp 30, a Prisoner of War camp for captured German soldiers. This camp was the site of the 'Battle of Bowmanville' between German POWs and camp guards. Lasting three days, the battle resulted in several injuries on both sides. Today, the site is in rough shape, but it has been designated a National Historical Site and has been acquired by the Municipality of Clarington with an eye on restoration in the future. More information is available at the Parks Canada website.
Visual Arts Centre of Clarington
Established in 1976, the Visiual Arts Centre of Clarington is a not-for-profit organization that promotes the visual arts in Bowmanville and surrounding area. Located at 143 Simpson Avenue, it is a public art gallery and an art education centre. The centre is housed in the historic Cream of Barley Mill building, which was originally constructed in 1805. For more information on the centre, visit the VAC website.