A Brief History of Arnprior

For historical information such as birth, death and marriage certificates; cemetery listings, genealogical research and other archival reference material try the Arnprior & McNab/Braeside Archives located in the lower level of the Arnprior Public Library at 21 Madawaska Street.  (613)623-0001 or visit their web site at www.adarchives.org
Although there were settlers in the area since the early 1800s such as the McGonigals and Haveys, the first promoter of development at the mouth of the Madawaska River was Archibald McNab, the "Last Laird of the Clan McNab." This Highland Chief fled his creditors in Scotland, and was granted permission to settle 81,000 acres of land and water in what is now McNab/Braeside Township.

In 1825, McNab brought over almost 100 families from Scotland. In 1831 the brothers Andrew and George Buchanan built a small sawmill and timber bridge on the Madawaska River. The Buchanan brothers and McNab named the settlement Arnprior after the small village of Arnprior in Scotland. The name means "the section of land (arn) belonging to a priory." By 1843 the settlers had rebelled against McNab's feudal leadership, and by petition and legal action forced him to leave the area.

In 1851, the first Daniel McLachlin (1809-1872) arrived. Recognizing the potential of the site for a logging operation, he purchased 400 acres of land at the mouth of the Madawaska River along with the water power rights. Important to encouraging settlers was the surveying of the land into town lots, renovating the old Buchanan sawmill and bridge, and constructing a stone gristmill.

The eldest son, Hugh F. (1843-1912), assumed his father's responsibilities at what became the largest White Pine sawmill in North America at the turn of the century. In turn, he was replaced by his son Daniel (1881-1954), the last Dan.

The great Depression hit at the same time as the lumber market went into decline. The McLachlin timber limits approached exhaustion and the sawmills ceased operation in 1929 - the end of an era.

The above brief history is reproduced from a pamphlet which was produced by the Millennium Trail Committee with assistance from Arnprior District High School students, and historical data provided from The Arnprior Story and the Arnprior & District Museum.

For more information about Arnprior, consult The Arnprior Story by Leo Lavoie (available locally), the Arnprior & District Museum or the Arnprior & McNab/Braeside Archives (located on the lower level of  the Arnprior Public Library).