2025-Jul-28
Township of the Archipelago Celebrates 45 Years of History
The Township of The Archipelago marked a significant milestone on Thursday, July 17, celebrating its 45th anniversary with a gathering at the Pointe Au Baril Community Centre. The municipality, which was incorporated on April 1, 1980, was formed through the amalgamation of the Townships of Georgian Bay South Archipelago and Georgian Bay North Archipelago.
What makes the Township of The Archipelago truly unique is its composition of several thousand islands in Georgian Bay and numerous inland freshwater lakes, covering an area of approximately 85,000 hectares. This distinctive geography, featuring the famous Thirty Thousand Islands, presented a challenge for local governance and led to the creation of a tailored municipal structure. The township’s unique formation was designed to provide proper planning for the islands and waterways of the area, making it a departure from traditional forms of local government in Ontario.
The township is home to distinct communities, including Pointe Au Baril Station in the north and Sans Souci and Woods Bay in the south, along with several inland lakes including Blackstone, Crane, Kapikog and Healey Lakes, each with its own character and history.
Earlier this year, in commemoration of the anniversary, the township unveiled a a new logo that reflects the natural landscape of the area and underscores the township’s commitment to preserving its natural environment within the Georgian Bay Mnidoo Gamii Biosphere.