Highlight of the Township of Bonnechere Valley
Barry’s Bay, located within the Township of Madawaska Valley, Ontario, occupies a scenic position along Kamaniskeg Lake where the Madawaska River widens into a picturesque bay. The area traces its origins to seasonal use by the Algonquin people, who named it Kuaenash Ne‑ishing, or “beautiful bay”.
European land surveys began in 1847 when James Haslett documented the presence of Irish settler William Byers near the bay—one of the first recorded land occupiers. The name “Barry’s Bay” appeared shortly after, either from Byers’ presence or popularized by a lumber foreman, James Barry, and his crew’s reference to their logging camp on the bay.
Significant settlement followed the construction of the Opeongo Colonization Road (now Highway 60) during the 1850s, which brought waves of Irish and Polish immigration between 1858 and 1910. By 1876 a post office had been established; by 1933, Barry’s Bay had achieved town status—reflecting its growth from seasonal camp to established village.
From a land surveyor’s perspective, Barry’s Bay offers a layered view of Ontario’s cadastral evolution:
Indigenous Landways to Crown Surveys – The meaningful bay shape anchored early land-use patterns, later formalized by Haslett’s 1847 Crown-surveyed concessions and lot boundaries following the river’s curves.
Colonization Road Influence – The 1850s development of the Opeongo Line introduced road allowances and concession alignments, which remain visible in today’s township road network.
Rail Corridor Overlay – The Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway routed through Barry’s Bay in the late 19th century, creating rail easements and station parcels that added new layers to the cadastral fabric.
Surveyors working in Barry’s Bay today must navigate a rich documentation history—from mid-1800s Crown platting and colonization-grid notes to railway-era plans and modern Title Plan records. This ensures that legal boundary definitions reconcile Indigenous topography, concession grids, and infrastructure overlays within a complex yet coherent parcel structure.
Adam Kasprzak Surveying Ltd. maintains the ONLY archived catalog of survey records of Renfrew County. We are the caretakers of over 150 years worth of numerous Land Surveyors records (plans, fieldnotes and other records) . This includes records of the Town of Barry’s Bay, and the many other interesting parts of this corner of Ontario.
Historic survey records are essential for an Ontario Land Surveyor to form a boundary opinion. Without proper research, a Surveyor cannot accept one piece of evidence and reject another. A full understanding of the sources of evidence, the reasoning of its origin, and sources for error; all of the why - who - when - where - how must be evaluated. With access to all of the available records of past surveys in the County, we have the privilege of gaining these valuable insights.
Do you have any questions about our records, and how we carry out surveys that are built on the legacy of these historic records?
Contact Us anytime, or Walk in today. We are happy to consult on all things Land.
Adam Kasprzak Surveying Ltd. - Local Knowledge is what we offer.