About Us
Situated just north of Huntsville and 2.5 hours north of the GTA, 1 hour south of North Bay, and 4 hours west of Ottawa, the Township of Perry is known as the true gateway to Almaguin Highlands and Northern Ontario. Located at the southernmost part of Almaguin Highlands and bordering on the District of Muskoka, our Township, comprised of the villages of Emsdale and Novar and small, unique hamlets in between, provides the backdrop for the coveted charming and easy-going lifestyle to be enjoyed by all.
Whether you are looking to take a leisurely hike at Brooks Falls, visit one of our Community Parks in either Emsdale or Novar, enjoy a scenic boat ride from one of two boat launches, stroll through our dog park, check out our Farmers’ Market, or witness the magnificent snow on the OFSC Trail System, the Township of Perry has many four-season settings where you and your family can relax and enjoy!
See our Business Directory for a comprehensive listing of businesses and check out our Event Calendar to find out what’s happening in the community.
The Township of Perry is pleased to announce that we have done a re-printing the ‘Yesterday’s Footprints in Perry’ historical book. Yesterday’s Footprints is available for purchase for $20 at the Municipal Office and the Library.
Give us a call at 705-636-5941 and we would be more than happy to set some aside for you or contact our Administrative Assistant for available shipping options.
The collected material is housed at the Library. The Library also has a wide range of material on Local History. Please contact the Librarian, Annette Gilpin by email.
When the Township was opened for settlement during the 1870’s, Perry’s agricultural potential was vastly over-estimated by officials. Land records indicate the first location ticket was issued on September 10, 1877. By the end of 1878, free land grant location tickets had been issued on about 250 of 525 lots. About 150 families (mainly from southern Ontario) made Perry home in 1878. However in 1881, roughly 20 of the original farm families had already departed the Township and the population stood at about 800. Homesteaders soon realized that, once the forest had been removed, the infertile and rocky soil of the Canadian Shield would not allow them to support themselves entirely through agriculture. However, those settlers who were skilled teamsters and axmen could earn a meagre living working in the bush while continuing to subsistence farm. (continue reading)
Community volunteers met at the St. Andrew’s Cemetery in Novar to conduct the second headstone cleaning. The weather was beautiful and the clean up a success! The committee hopes that this will become an annual event and look forward to next year’s clean up and volunteers. Thank you to all, who came out and helped. If you would like to become a volunteer, please contact the Municipal Office!
