Sydenham, Frontenac County, Ontario

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Sydenham is a small community in Frontenac County, Ontario, located in the township of South Frontenac. It sits at the west end of Sydenham Lake, just north of Kingston. The area blends farming with nearby Kingston, and it has more amenities than many nearby towns, making it a local hub.

Historically, the Canadian Northern Railway ran through the town’s north end, creating an early rail link between Toronto and Ottawa. That railway right-of-way is now part of the Trans Canada Trail. Sydenham once hosted the township offices of Loughborough Township and is now the seat of the Township of South Frontenac.

Geography and natural features: Sydenham sits where the limestone-based St. Lawrence Lowlands meet the granite of the Canadian Shield. Frontenac Provincial Park is just north, on the shield above the Frontenac Axis.

Mining history: Mica mining was common in the 19th century, and abandoned mines can be found around Gould Lake, which lies between Sydenham and the provincial park.

Recreation and landmarks: An annual canoe/kayak regatta is held on Sydenham Lake near The Point, a popular public beach. The Point is a man-made peninsula created by landfill. In 2017, renovations added accessible washrooms, a new children’s playground climber, benches, and a paved path to the beach. Sydenham Lake drains west into Millhaven Creek, which flows to Lake Ontario.

Community life: Many residents work in Kingston. The town has two churches—St. Paul’s Anglican Church and Sydenham Holiness Church. St. Patrick’s Catholic Church is in the nearby hamlet of Railton, and Grace United Church in the village has become The Grace Centre for community use. The area also features cottages and summer homes, and tourism rises in the warmer months at Gould Lake Conservation Area and Frontenac Provincial Park.

History and commerce: Trousdale’s General Store in Sydenham has been run by the same family since 1836, making it one of Canada’s oldest continuously operating family-run stores.