31

A mixed baseball team from Bennie's Corners. They won the championship that year.
1950
Almonte

32

Skating
Skating has always been a popular pastime for Almontonians. Skating was referenced in poetry and around the town accounts in the town’s first newspaper the Express in 1861, 1862. Whether it was on the frozen Mississippi or Indian Rivers or the numerous small ponds that dotted the rural landscape skating was the thing to do on cold winter nights. Skating parties and carnivals were very popular social events. Skating was something men and ladies could enjoy together. When the first indoor arena on the Island was built it saw an endless stream of patrons both young and old.

33

Old skates, the kind you had to screw on to your boot or shoe.
1890
The Mill of Kintail
AUDIO ATTACHMENT


34

Other sports in Almonte
1870
Almonte

35

Almonte Gazette - Saturday February 19, 1870
Bonspiel - Last Tuesday afternoon, a very interesting game was played between junior members of the Mississippi Club, with Messrs. S. L. Davis and P. McArthur acting as skips. An additional window being required in the rink, it was previously agreed by the skips that the losing side would pay the cost of putting one in. The sides stood as follows: J.L.Reed, A. Sinclair, F.A.W. Lister, Dr. Patterson, Wm. Templeman, S.L. Davis, skip - 7.

36

A group of skaters on the Indian river. A hockey game is on in the background.
1900
Almonte

37

A group of lads pose with their sticks before strapping on the blades for a game of shinny.
1920
Almonte

38

The Almonte Arena where it stands today, near Gemmil Park, was opened in 1950. Through the years it has seen its share of activity. Hockey players, Broomball players, Figure Skaters, Ringette Players, call this there second home in winter months. Roller hockey and ball hockey enthusiasts use the surface in the summer months.

39

Teams from the Almonte Ladies Ball Hockey League face off at the Almonte Arena.
2003
Almonte

40

Water Sports
Given that Almonte and the surrounding area are are located on the Mississippi River it is not surprising that our residents would use it in the spring and summer as well.

Canoes and rowboats were a vital form of transportation along the Indian and Mississippi Rivers. The Young family, cousins of James Naismith traveled by row boat to church every Sunday all year round.

The April 16 1870 Gazette reports that the Mississippi Jr. is swollen to unusual size by melting snow and that canoes "are paddled about from door to door."

Both McKenzie and Naismith fondly recalled their exploits at the local swimming hole.

41

The Young sisters paddle the boat up the Mississippi to Church.
1905
Almonte

42

Boating on the Indian River near Otter Glen, the old Barley Mill is in the upper right.
1900
Almonte

43

Boating on the Indian River
1905
Almonte

44

Canoeing on the Mississippi River just below mouth of the Indian River.
1900
Almonte