Garden Island (Ontario)

Garden Island is an island located in the St. Lawrence River, near Kingston, Ontario, Canada. It lies within the Frontenac Islands Township. The island historically served as a significant shipbuilding and ship repair location, particularly during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Prominent shipbuilding families, such as the Calvin family, operated major yards on the island. These yards produced numerous vessels that sailed the Great Lakes and beyond.

The island's strategic location and deep-water access made it an ideal site for these activities. At its peak, Garden Island employed a substantial workforce. After the decline of wooden shipbuilding and the shift to steel construction, operations on Garden Island gradually decreased.

Today, Garden Island is largely uninhabited. Its historical significance is recognized, and some remnants of the shipbuilding era remain. The island's shores and surrounding waters are frequented by recreational boaters and anglers. The island is primarily composed of bedrock with thin soil and supports a range of flora and fauna typical of the St. Lawrence River Islands National Park region.