The following is an excerpt from the Book of Westport:

“When the village awoke on Saturday, July 1st, [1905] they were surprised to find that the Westport woolen mill and electric light dam had broken during the night and carried away the Sand Lake dam, the buckle factory dam, the road near W.C. Fredenburgh’s dam and the bridges at Mountain Road and Main Street. As a result, those in the village were greatly concerned as they had suddenly become more isolated and business was sure to be seriously affected. Damages were estimated at $10,000.”

The rushing waters from the broken dam resulted in an almost complete drainage of Sand Lake, and severe damage to The Narrows and Newboro locks.

From the archives of The Rideau District Museum – Early Westport Photo Album

From the archives of The Rideau District Museum – Early Westport Photo Album

From the archives of The Rideau District Museum – Early Westport Photo Album