Vydon Acres is situated within the City of Ottawa only 36 km. west of the core and 10 km. east of Arnprior. It is surrounded by the Ottawa and Mississippi Rivers. It is linked to Ottawa and the rest of the Valley by Highway #417 / #17 and a good network of City arterial routes.

The island's elevation is from 243 feet above sea level to 283 feet on the interior, with exposed Canadian Shield outcroppings and medium grained sandy soils throughout.

The forest is typical St. Lawrence Valley Upland Vegetation with about 60% coniferous stands with varied hardwoods throughout. The land is heavily treed with the exception of the central portion of the island that lends itself to a future golf course. The island embraces a rich wetland and forest ecology that can be enjoyed by all inhabitants.

Location Map

History

Originally known as Chats Island from the French fur trading era, this island was situated above a major set of rapids on the Ottawa River. These rapids were drowned in 1930 when the Chats Falls Electrical Generating Dam was completed.

The first exploration work performed on the land was by James Robertson in July 1884 and September 1885.
No further work occurred there until 1914 when the estate of James Robertson reopened exploration for minerals. By 1919 a new company known as Kingdon Mining, Smelting and Manufacturing Company Limited under the presidency of Mr. Charles M. Robertson and the management of A,G. Munich.

The mining operations were halted in October 1937 and all the lands and rights were sold to the Crane Company of New York. The old mining site has been decommissioned and is in a state of Progressive Rehabilitation.

All holdings were purchased in 1964 by Donald C. Johnston of Kinburn, Ontario and remain in his company's ownership, Kingdon Holdings Limited.