Considering Powassan Viral Encephalitis, one could be faulted for thinking that isn’t the only place on Highway 11 named after a communicable disease (TB comes to mind.)  In reality though, Powassan is a First Nations word that means “bend.”  I’m assuming that’s not a command but a description of a place on the river.

Anthony was kind enough to send in some info about Powassan. First, yes, the name Powassan means "bend in the river". Second, that river is Genesese Creek, which flows into the South River, eventually making it to Lake Nipissing. And third, Powassan is the only place in the world named Powassan.

Powassan is kind of funny because if it was north of North Bay it’d be considered a fairly large town of about 2500 1500 people.  But since it’s in north Muskoka, Powassan is one of many smaller towns found along Highway 11.  Founded in 1905, Powassan soon became the site of a lumber and grist mill.  Today it is focused on power generation, lumber, maple syrup and some small scale agriculture.

I absolutely adore small towns. To me, at least one my three or four times driving through, Powassan has had that nice small town feel.  There are some nicely restored buildings on Main Street.  In the summer there’s a small farmer’s market.  There are two seasonal fairs – the Agricultural Society Fair on Labour Day Weekend and the Maple Syrup Festival (with ‘Sappy’ the mascot) in the fall.

Powassan is the largest town between Huntsville and North Bay but there still isn’t a tonne to do.  There is the Highview Golf Club, another golf course named Clearview about 5 km west of town, a curling club, and some cross country ski trails. In terms of services, there is a Valumart, a bank, Westfalenhaus Bed and Breakfast, one or two lodges, Irma’s Tavern, Kudo's restaurant (formerly known as The Wagon Wheel), and China Garden restaurant. The Windsor Hotel is now closed, but is under renovation. Word is that it will soon be transformed into retirement condos.

Powassan is also home to a lookout on Powassan Mountain, (which I'm sure is a "mountain" in the same spirit of Hamilton's "mountain".) Also, a space conservatory is in the planning stages for Powassan. I have to be honest, I'm not sure what a space conservatory is. A planetarium maybe? I dunno. But there's nothing else like it elsewhere on Highway 11. And that makes Powassan unique.

(More info and photos to come when I travel through next.) Thanks to Anthony for the new info and updates.

Links: Powassan Town website Powassan Syrup Festival

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