Penetanguishene

Town in Simcoe County, southern-central Ontario, Canada, on Penetanguishene Bay, an arm of Severn Sound (Georgian Bay), 133 km/82 mi northwest of Toronto; population (1991) 6,600. It is a tourist centre with an expanding residential community. From the early 17th century it was a meeting point for French missionaries and voyageurs (conveyors of goods and materials for the trading companies) visiting Native Canadian Huron, and later Chippewa, peoples.

After the War of 1812 the site was developed as a naval yard and military base. Later in the 19th century it became a logging centre.