Home Regions of Ontario Kawarthas & Northumberland Region
Coboconk, Ontario
The village of Coboconk is situated on the Gull River a short distance from where the river enters Balsam Lake. Coboconk sits on the ridge between the Paleozoic Limestone region of South-Central Ontario and the Precambrian Granite Canadian Shield.
The first white settlers to Coboconk arrived in 1861 hoping to harness the power of the Krosh-qua-bo-Konk River (later changed to the Gull River). The first store was built by Adam H. Carl; and the first hotel, was built by Amos Fern. Eventually three churches, several grist and sawmills and a railway station would turn the tiny community into a bustling lumber town. Over time several limestone quarries would add to the prosperity of the area.
Two popular Provincial Parks are in close proximity to the village. Indian Point Provincial Park has one of the longest undeveloped shorelines in the Kawartha region but does not allow for overnight camping. Balsam Lake Provincial Park provides overnight camping facilities. The park is a popular destination for boating enthusiasts along the Trent Severn Waterway.
Balsam Lake also has the distinction of being the highest freshwater lake from which you can sail around the world. From a point in Coboconk, one can circumnavigate the globe without ever touching land.
