Cummings Island


Cummings Island is an uninhabited island in the Rideau River in the city of Ottawa in Canada and the site of a former settlement.

History

The island's first settler was Charles Cummings, who built there his house in 1840 and operated a ferry across the Rideau River until a simple wooden bridge was built a few years later. Charles Cummings died in 1847 and was buried on the island.
In 1864, Robert Cummings, son of Charles, bought the island from the government for $4 and built a store, flour mill and carriage factory there. During this period the island thrived as a commercial hub between Bytown and Janeville, even having the first telephone in what was then Gloucester Township.
In 1891, the old wooden bridge was replaced by a new steel bridge, which was originally named Bingham's Bridge, after Ottawa mayor Samuel Bingham, but this name never caught on. Thirty years later it was replaced by the Cummings Bridge, which was built some downstream causing Cummings Island to loose its connection to the shore.
In 1922, the city of Ottawa bought the island from Cummings' sons for $30,000, and all the buildings were demolished. Since 1923, the island has been uninhabited.

Other islands

Another island with the same name is located in Little Sand Lake in Kenora District, Ontario.