In the beginning of our history as a village, our name wasn’t as it is today. He were either called Rondeau Harbour, Rond Eau, The Eau or the Piers when talking about Erieau back in the day.

Once Erieau got a post office our name had to change since there was already a post office named Rondeau. Malcolm Sherman a post master combined the words of Lake Erie and Rondeau and formed the name of Erieau.

Erieau was incorporated as a Village on April 5 th 1917. J.G. Kerr was elected the first Reeve of Erieau. Erieau got its name when Sherman Malcolm, combine the word of Lake Erie and Rondeau Bay to form the name of Erie Eau, hence Erieau.

Erieau through its history as a Village was known for its fishing and coal industry. In later years it became well known for its ship building as well. During its years as a Village it was well documented that we had the lowest hydro and property taxes in Harwich Township. In its earlier years with coal coming from the United States, coal boats made their stops here along with tourists who came over. Between 1895 – 1910, the Scottish and Irish would have picnics, with games, races and dances. Some crowds were estimated at 10,000 here in the Village for these festivities. But most were around 2000 in attendance.

Many people today walk down the center of our boulevard and do not believe that at one time, there was a double set of tracks leading down to the coal yard and rail yard. Where the Erieau Marina basin is and South Side Marina this is where the coal yard was up until 1969-1970. Many ships and boats were built here between 1943 – 1981. Goodison Fisheries moved their business to Erieau from Erie Beach and thus began building fish tugs, government boats, Pelee Isander ferry being one.

During the second war world, Erieau had the highest percentage per capita going off to war. 64 men and 4 women heard the call of duty. This is quite surprising when war broke out our population was only 225. This meant 100 percent of the men left the village as they became of age or at least lied about their age to get in.

The first known survey of Erieau.

Notice that we are a group of islands that were joined together with the new entrance of Rondeau Bay in the 1844-time frame.

1951 STREET MAP OF ERIEAU

THE BUNGALOW

The Bungalow was built circa 1899-1900 to house the vacationers coming from Chatham by train and also by passenger boat from the U.S.A. The Bungalow was owned by the Railroad and leased by various people throughout its short life. These merchants envisioned this place as a great tourist destination. In October, 1912, tragedy struck and the building burnt down and was never replaced. Harry Hall and E.J. Buzzard proprietors over its life. The Bungalow was situated on the beach area across from South Side Marina is located.

Postcard of the Bungalow Hotel

LAKE VIEW HOUSE

The Lakeview House was built in the Spring of 1902 by Charles Mallory to houses the abundant tourist trade that was plentiful during the turn of the century. Over the years this hotel prospered with various owners and people who leased it from the present owner. The Lakeview House and later called the Lakeview Hotel was the place to go for your entertainment. Un Officially in the 1970s, it was called the Tilton Hilton when owned by Andy Everitt. Future owners called it the “Erieau Landing”, then “Anchor Inn” and now today it is called “Bayside Brewing Company”.

Postcard of the Lake View House

CRAFORD HOUSE

Built by Philander Craford to house the summer tourist trade. Built in the early 1880s. The house is now set back from the road and over the years additions made to it, Matilda Scratch (Hardy Scratch) daughter of Philander Craford buildings was the daughter of Philander Craford passed away in 1952. Jack Parker bought the Craford House and move the house back to its present location in 1952. He also bought the Wedding Cake from the estate.

IMAGE: The Craford House shown on the left

WEDDING CAKE

As shown above on right. Built by Philander Craford to house the summer tourist trade on second and third stories and General Store on the bottom level. Built in the early 1880s. Top level of the wedding cake burnt down in 1952. There were a number of owners of this building over the years and it is now owned by Brian Cofell and Lucy Rizetto where they have the Five-Eau clothing store and cottage café.

Revellers: The Role of the Railroad in the Establishment of Erieau

Erieau’s origins can be traced to the late nineteenth century. One reads of picnics there as early as 1870, but it was in 1894, when the Erie and Huron Railroad first began running excursions to Erieau, that the community’s reputation as a summer resort was initiated. Tracks ran down the center of the village, with three stops: Jubilee, Centreville and Craford’s. Resort hotels were a popular feature in the early days, and the cottages, which had started to appear even before the railroad arrived, continued to proliferate. Today’s boulevard (where you are standing), and the Marsh Trail, are visible reminders of the trains that brought Erieau about.

Rail Station located in Erieau Ontario

Part of a pamphlet of the July 2nd & 3rd, 1967 Centennial Celebrations

Some Important Dates to Remember:

1844

• A Customs and lighthouse were established on the east side of the pier. Federal Department of Public Works dredges the sandbar and then more money was gained and two wooden piers was build. ^$75,000 would be allocated to complete this job. This pier would be placed where the present east and west piers are now.

1845

• A Customs and lighthouse were established on the east side of the pier. Thomas Harrison first light keeper.

1855

• Commercial fishing began in Erieau. Jack Julien recorded as first fisherman.

1887

• Homer Turner, first to build followed by Rufus Stephenson. Charles Mallory built the Mallory House - later called the Lakeview Hotel and then the Tilton Hilton and then Anchor Inn and then converted into apartments and now here in 2012, it is the Bayside Brewing Company.

1889 

• Erie and Huron in August decided to build across the marsh to Erieau. By September with all provisions and arrangements, made Erie and Huron applied to authorities for an application, which would extent tracks to Erieau and, on November 15th, permission was granted. Contractor George Boley was hired to do the grading.

1893

• Summer first of regular daily boat service between Erieau and Cleveland was begun, with the popular steamer The Byron Trerice.

1894 

• The Erie and Huron Railway built an extension from near Shrewsbury end of the rail line to Erieau. With a split section at the Eau, one side to serve a coal loading operation, the other leading to a ferry dock - both link to Cleveland shipping.
• Dance pavilion, a bicycle track and band shell were built. J.J. Guittard takes hold of Restaurant with Messer’s Goodreau & Primeau are behind the counter. Accommodations for 50 guests.
• Philander Craford built the Craford house to house the summer crowd. Next-door was the Wedding Cake. Craford House now a Bed and Breakfast.
• A passenger boat called the Jubilee, jointly owned by W.R. Fellows and Fred Lindley ran within the bay, from Erieau to the developing Government Park. May 8th oft this year Erie and Huron inaugurated daily summer excursions to Erieau.

1902

• Capt. Post - Sandusky Fish Company. Steamer Louise owned by Capt. Post and later by the Kolbe Fish Company of Port Dover.
• March 06th , report in Blenheim News Tribune, that a second ^$50,000 coal hoist to be built. This was carried in the London Free Press with the President of the Frank Walker of the Lake Erie & Detroit River Railway.
• Spring of this year, Chas Mallory builds the new Lakeview House. This new building sits in front of the Mallory residence. In July 10th , hews.

1908

• A one room school was built.

1910 

• St. Paul’s Anglican Church built on its present location.

1911

•  Rondeau Harbour leads with custom receipts in 1910 and doing well this year. Receipts totaled, $12, 694.67 for the month of December 1910.

1912

• A concrete dock replaced the aging wooden piers. The Lake Erie Coal Company built a slip dock for a Coal Ferry.

1913

• Worst storm on Great Lakes; 13 vessels wrecked, 148 lives lost. 
• Dredging completed in September.

1914

•  Burkes Drainage Scheme began November of this year.

1915

• The Bungalow fire. Unfortunately, it burnt down.

1917

• April 5 th , Erieau officially becomes a village. Mr. J.G. Kerr was first Reeve.

1918

• The fourth concession was begun.
• Spanish Influenza strikes across Kent County including Erieau.

1922

• The Erie & Huron Railroad of this year is commencing the work of putting a line in to the Eau. This work was started in April of that year.
• The Cleveland Amusement Company leased 23 acres at Erieau from the Pere Marquette Railway for an amusement park. A jazz orchestra from Detroit played for dances on summer nights.

1923

• Report at council about Hydro being transmitted to Erieau. Will go to vote at next election.
• May of this year, Erieau Council Planted 500 Carolina poplar trees.
• Saw the road to Erieau finally built.
• Prohibition ended in Canada, but many a fisherman ran across the lake with legal booze to the illegal side of the lake.

1926

• Erieau Fire Department is organized in July.

1932

• Erieau Yacht Club formed.

1933 

• St. Anne’s of the Lakes Roman Catholic Church built at the head of our village.

1939

• The Goodison bought out the Branches of Kolbe and Norfolk Fish Company. From that time on they continue to work out of Erieau instead of Erie beach.
• Chris Stevens, superintendent of the Lake Erie Navigation Company, was elected Reeve of Erieau and remains Reeve for the next ten years.
• Sept 6 h , Canada declares war on Germany. During the war 53 young men and 3 woman would sign up and go to war. 100% percent of all able bodied men.
• Mollie Vidler honoured by King George VI for her book Poems of Remembrance that she sent him in June of this year.

1959

• A new Government wharf was built for fish tugs, which could dock up to 24 boats. Pontoon weed cutter is instituted on the bay to cut channels into weed beds.

1967

• Canada's Centennial Birthday – July 1st - Erieau's largest parade ever. New beach park was opened and dedicated.

1973

• The last coal hoist was sold for scrap.

1974

• The C & 0 railway closed and abandoned the Blenheim to Erieau rail line and sold it for scrap. ERIEAU LANDS COMPANY LTD formed by Hartley Vidler and James Waldie of St Thomas to buy Erieau lands from the C & O Railroad Company Ltd. Over a period of 2 years - 88 acres of land owned by the railway the Erieau Lands Company Ltd bought.

1980

• Thanks to a gift of ^$12,000 from the International Plowing Match's Management Committee, a new picnic shelter was built at the Kenterieau Heritage Park.
• A Municipal water system was installed in the village.
• The Erieau Sertoma Club presented Hartley Vidler with the Service to Mankind Award for his contribution to Erieau's private land ownership.
• The commercial fishing tug “Omsteader” is launched at the Shipyard. First boat to be constructed and launched here in over 11 years.
• Anew Marina built in the slip with a new basin dug into the coal yard where once tracks were laid and the coal hoists ran down the tracks when off loading the coal boats coming into the Eau.

1992 

• Canada's 125th birthday on July 4th and Erieau's 75th on April 5th.

1996

• July a severe blow was given done at the Erieau Packers when 18 layoff notices were given and all fish filleting ceased to be completed here. Now shipped to Wheatley or Leamington for processing.
• Erieau Yacht Club celebrates 100 years in August.

1998

•  January 1st , The Village of Erieau formally becomes part of the new Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

These are just a few dates here about Erieau. There is a lot more history here...