Bancroft (2006 Population 3,838) is a town located on the York River in Hastings County in the Canadian province of Ontario.
In 1853 the first pioneer family settled in the area, and over the next 15 years the settlement grew quickly, as another 88 families followed. Originally called York Mills, it was later renamed Bancroft by Senator Billa Flint, after the maiden name of his wife, on 15 October 1879.
The town was once a centre for uranium mini...
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Bancroft (2006 Population 3,838) is a town located on the York River in Hastings County in the Canadian province of Ontario.
In 1853 the first pioneer family settled in the area, and over the next 15 years the settlement grew quickly, as another 88 families followed. Originally called York Mills, it was later renamed Bancroft by Senator Billa Flint, after the maiden name of his wife, on 15 October 1879.
The town was once a centre for uranium mining, and the closing of the Madawaska mine caused some economic hardship.
Located in Central Ontario, part of the Canadian Shield, Bancroft is well known in Canada as an excellent location for rockhounding. Bancroft styles itself as the "mineral capital of Canada" and holds an annual event in August called the Rockhound Gemboree.
There is also a Mineral Museum in Bancroft dedicated to the area's storied mining history. There is little active mining going on today.
A popular location is a craggy lookout called Eagle's Nest, a short distance...
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