Picture: courtesy of Jane Mundy.

Although they are in close proximity to one another, Kynoch and Wharncliffe have many differences. The towns have similar roots but their paths diverged when Ontario Hydro arrived in 1947 to build the Rayner dam near Wharncliffe.

For the three years that the dam was under construction, Wharncliffe was a town, its population inflated by the temporary presence of the 850 men working on the dam and their families. After the dam was completed, the locals had the opportunity of a new kind of employment other than farming or logging. Men were thought to be set for life if they got on with Hydro.

Since then Wharncliffe has undergone a transition from farming to tourism as a major source of employment. Some of today's youth are impatient with the relaxed pace of life here and lament the absence of shopping malls and fast food restaurants. However, this is part of the charm and uniqueness of Wharncliffe, as are the scenic surroundings upon which no price can be placed.