Rosseau is a community in the District of Parry Sound in

Ontario Ontario ( ; ) is one of the thirteen provinces and territories of Canada.Ontario is located in the geographic eastern half of Canada, but it has historically and politically been considered to be part of Central Canada. Located in Central Ca ...

, Canada, located in the

township A township is a kind of human settlement or administrative subdivision, with its meaning varying in different countries. Although the term is occasionally associated with an urban area, that tends to be an exception to the rule. In Australia, ...

of Seguin. It is situated on the north shore of Lake Rosseau, a popular vacationing area. It is one of the ends of the Rosseau-Nipissing Road, which stretches all the way up to

Lake Nipissing Lake Nipissing (; french: lac Nipissing, oj, Gichi-nibiinsing-zaaga’igan) is a lake in the Canadian province of Ontario. It has a surface area of , a mean elevation of above sea level, and is located between the Ottawa River and Georgian Bay ...

, near

North Bay, Ontario North Bay is a city in Northeastern Ontario, Canada. It is the seat of Nipissing District, and takes its name from its position on the shore of Lake Nipissing. North Bay developed as a railroad centre, and its airport was an important military ...

. An Ontario Historical Plaque was erected by the province to commemorate the Rosseau-Nipissing Road's role in Ontario's heritage. Rosseau was formerly an incorporated

village A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet but smaller than a town (although the word is often used to describe both hamlets and smaller towns), with a population typically ranging from a few hundred ...

, which was amalgamated into the newly created Seguin Township on January 1, 1998. The town shops are mostly arts and crafts shops with a few exceptions. One of them is the famous Rosseau General Store, which has stood since the late 19th century. The town has a marina and public beach area that has undergone renovations including new boat launches and large docks, a pavilion and public washrooms. The town also has a nice restaurant Crossroads, and an upscale cafe called Cottage Law Canteen. There are many shops, including Mountain Boy Bait and Tackle and Teensy Weenie Bikini. Rosseau is a tourist area, with many people visiting in the summer months to enjoy the scenery, shop for arts and crafts, or stop at the historic buildings. The town also hosts summer farmers markets and the Rosseau Fall Fair in late August, when people from all over Ontario come to have fun. Rosseau is serviced by roads which provide access to

Huntsville Huntsville is a city in Madison County, Limestone County, and Morgan County, Alabama, United States. It is the county seat of Madison County. Located in the Appalachian region of northern Alabama, Huntsville is the most populous city in th ...

Parry Sound Parry Sound is a sound or bay of Georgian Bay on Lake Huron, in Ontario, Canada. It is highly irregularly shaped with many deep bays and islands. Killbear Provincial Park is located on the large peninsula that separates the sound from Georgian ...

, Bracebridge,

Windermere Windermere (sometimes tautologically called Windermere Lake to distinguish it from the nearby town of Windermere) is the largest natural lake in England. More than 11 miles (18 km) in length, and almost 1 mile (1.5 km) at its wides ...

and other small communities in the area. Most lake travellers are familiar with the famous lighthouse which light still shines. The local post office in the centre of the village services locals with lock boxes and one rural route. The townsfolk and tourists of Rosseau in the late 19th century and early 20th century welcomed visitors arriving by steamboat, by singing the Rosseau Song (arrival song): :''Oh we'll sing a little song of Rosseau,'' :''It's the best old town that I know'' :''Oh you Rosseau, where the summer breezes blow,'' :''Where the skies are the clearest and the girls that you meet are the fairest,'' :''Oh you Rosseau, you're the best old town that I know.'' As the steamboat departed at the end of the visitors’ holiday, the visitors wistfully returned the favour by singing the Rosseau Song (departing song) to the townsfolk: :''Rosseau Town—again it's time to say to Rosseau Town –Good-bye'' :''When we came, we all were smiling, now we leave you with a sigh'' :''But when summer comes once more'' :''We'll return to you again'' :''Oh Rosseau Town, again it's time to say to Rosseau Town—Good-by.'' The first verse was sung to the same tune as the Cobalt Song, which adopted the original tune of the Rosseau Song. The second verse was sung to a different tune, which was likely improvised.W.D. Wadsworth, Q.C., Toronto

Demographics

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by

Statistics Canada Statistics Canada (StatCan; french: Statistique Canada), formed in 1971, is the agency of the Government of Canada commissioned with producing statistics to help better understand Canada, its population, resources, economy, society, and cultu ...

, Rosseau had a population of 288 living in 95 of its 149 total private dwellings, a change of from its 2016 population of 223. With a land area of , it had a population density of in 2021.

References

{{authority control Communities in Parry Sound District Designated places in Ontario

Demographics

See also

References