St. Joseph Island Sunset

Beautiful St. Joseph Island is located approximately 40km east of Sault Ste. Marie along Highway 17 East. The Bernt Gilbertson Bridge connects the mainland to the Township of St. Joseph which occupies approximately the northern third of the Island and is home to over 1,200 year-round residents and hundreds more summer visitors. A quiet and secure place to live and visit, the Township of St. Joseph offers all the necessities. Whether you are just visiting, staying a few weeks, or choose to make the Township of St. Joseph your home, you will find this to be a community full of warmth and welcome.

A short five minute drive from the Trans-Canada highway will take you across the bridge to Kents Corners where you will find a restaurant, a bakery, a gas bar and general store. A couple of minutes south on the 20th Sideroad will take visitors to the wonderful St. Joseph Island Museum Village Complex. Home to more than 5,000 artifacts representing over 200 years of Island settlement. This reconstruction of original early Island buildings consists of two of the Island's earliest schools, a log cabin, the original Kentvale Merchants General Store, an early Island stone church, a rebuilt barn and drive-shed.

West along Highway 548 from Kents Corners will lead to St. Joseph Island’s largest community of Richards Landing. This shorefront community with its beautiful tree-lined main street (Hwy 548) is the perfect setting for arts and crafts, sports, agricultural, and community festivals which are hosted annually. In addition to these festivals local shops offer visitors the opportunity on a daily basis to view and purchase local art, pottery and gifts.

Among the shops in Richards Landing's town centre visitors will also find every day necessities such as a bank, grocery store, liquor/beer store, hospital, doctor's offices and pharmacy. Further up the main street, visitors will find the Florence Orrell Children's

Library, the Township of St. Joseph Public Library, a gas station and general store, and the St. Joseph Island Public (elementary) School (Central Algoma Secondary School (CASS) is a short 20 minute drive away in Desbarats.)

The Richards Landing Municipal Marina is located at the end of the main street, just a few steps from the town centre. This is a full service marina, open 7 days a week during boating season with shower and laundry facilities and a Boaters’ Lounge.

Visitors can relax at one of the two restaurants located in town; on the water at the marina, or in the centre of town.

A leisurely drive or bike ride west on Hwy 548 out of Richards Landing will take visitors to the Stribling Point Nature Park with its forested hiking trails, and waterfront viewing station. In addition to the Sailors’ Encampment site further along Hwy 548, you will find excellent viewing points to watch freighters manoeuvre through the shipping channel along the Canada - U.S. border. In Sailors' Encampment you can see them from only a few hundred yards away.

Journey along any of the paved secondary Township roads and experience spectacular views and quiet moments exploring beautiful waterfront views and rolling farmland where you will find opportunities to purchase farm-fresh produce right at the farm gate.

Arts/Music festivals, the Maple Syrup Festival, viewing of the Fall colours, sporting events, and leisure activities keep visitors and residents alike busy throughout the year. Spend the day skating, golfing, hiking, boating, exploring historic sites, searching unique shops, participating in annual events, or just plain relax.

National Senior's Month - June 2013

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