Rock Glen This ancient gorge full of Devonian fossils, was known to local First Nations and became a milling site in the late 1830s. While set up as a potential rival to Arkona in the early 1850s, “Rockville” settled down to be a milling site and then starting in 1907 a site for the generation of hydro through the Rock Glen Power Company. Despite the failure of the original dam, it was quickly rebuilt and Arkona had locally produced hydro until it joined the Ontario Hydro system in 1926. The lake created by the dam was a popular site of recreational boating and picnicking until the dam was destroyed in 1933. The site was revitalized by the Arkona Lions Club and then came under the jurisdiction of the AusableBayfield Conservation Authority in 1954. Figure 27 Arkona’s “Red School” was built in 1855 at the western stretches of Victoria Street. The school served not only the local children but also was used to train teachers from across the region in the later 1850s. It was also the site of many political meetings and the Arkona Debating and Literary Society in the late 1850s. The photograph was taken prior to 1872. Courtesy of the Arkona and Area Historical Society. Figure 28. The “new” grist mill at Rock Glen which was built in the early 1870s. Courtesy of Frank and Jan Lucas. Page 13 of 17
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