While not part of Renfrew County, Fitzroy Township lies immediately adjacent to the county’s southeastern boundary and has played an important historical role in shaping regional infrastructure. Settled in the early 19th century, Fitzroy became a strategic agricultural and transportation zone along the Ottawa River. The village of Fitzroy Harbour, in particular, grew as a staging ground for lumber drives and steamboat travel.

Fitzroy Township was surveyed earlier than many neighbouring regions, and its grid reflects the classic single-front concession layout typical of Eastern Ontario. Early development was facilitated by river transport, which dictated the placement of mills, churches, and commercial establishments. By the late 1800s, Fitzroy was well integrated into the Ottawa Valley’s economy, with ferry crossings and later bridges tying it to Quyon, Quebec, and other river communities.

Surveyors working near Fitzroy, especially those dealing with boundary interfaces along the Ottawa River, often encounter legacy issues such as accretions, historical water lots, and federal Crown shoreline reserves. While most parcels are based on traditional concession grids, riparian boundaries can shift due to erosion and sedimentation, requiring careful reference to original survey notes and modern hydrographic mapping. The area remains instructive for understanding how riverfront parcels were legally and practically defined in the 19th century.