Bear Brook (Ontario)

Bear Brook is a village named after the small creek Bear Brook in the Eastern Ontario region, mostly located within the municipal boundaries of Ottawa and Clarence-Rockland. It forms in the fields and forests just north of Edwards, and flows in a mostly eastern direction to its mouth in the South Nation River. Communities along the brook include Edwards, Carlsbad Springs, Bearbrook, Cheney, and Bourget. The BearBrook area was first colonized in 1824. Bearbrook Village's Postal Office (in the General Store) was opened in 1855 with John Walsh being named the first post master. Bearbrook Station was established when the train station was built. Parish of Trinity Anglican was formed in 1863 in a wooden church centrerd in the village of Bearbrook. Trinity Anglican Stone church was built in 1900. st School SSNo.4 Southwest of Bearbrook, also served Navan near the corner of what is currently Russell rd and Forcedrd.

In the mid 19th century, during the early days of colonization, the Bear Brook was used by loggers for floating timber to sawmills, a few of which operated in Carlsbad Springs from 1854 to 1905. It was also used by settlers for transportation to their homesteads. However the brook was too small and dry in the summer, and its use for transportation was quickly discontinued upon completion of Russell Road. All the surrounding mature forests have been logged, and consequently the brook drains faster.[1]