Woodlands, located mid-way between Farran’s Point and Dickinson’s Landing along highway #2 was situated on the shores of the St. Lawrence River opposite Croil’s Island. Although the origin of “Woodlands” may be lost in time, it is believed to have been so named because of the heavily wooded shoreline and islands.
Home of Lorne & Connie McLaren, Lena McLaren. Now the present day site of the beach on McLaren Island
Woodlands grew around farms, all of which dated to the arrival of the United Empire Loyalists in 1784. During its existence, Woodlands boasted a post office, general stores operated by the Fickes and Baker families, and two churches, St. Matthew’s Presbyterian Church and St. Peter’s Anglican Church. (St. Peter Anglican church was moved long before the seaway. Woodlands was best known to the many tourists who stopped at the cottages which lined Highway #2. Ernest Campbell’s “Camp-Belle Cottages” and confectionery was a well-known establishment at Woodlands.
The only trace left of Woodlands today is the site of St. Matthews church, at the west end of the Long Sault Parkway.
View from the roof of the McLaren house, hwy 2, St. Lawrence river and Croil island in the background.
W. Fickes house on the left and St. Matthew’s Church on the right
Harvey Fickes and nephew Ross with swarm of bees.
ST. MATTHEW’S PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
BUSINESSES
Ruth (Abrams) Campbell, Judy Campbell,
(Rodger), Eric Campbell, Bill Campbell, Jan Campbell (Zeran) watch the water rise.