The St. Lawrence is one of the world’s great rivers, carrying more water than any river in North America. Since long before the time of European settlement, this waterway has served as a transportation route, battlefield, source of nourishment and regulator of the natural environment. The western-most reach of the river, from Kingston, where Lake Ontario spills into the river channel, downstream about 165 kilometers to Cornwall, is today divided by the Canada – USA border. On both shores the towns and cities first emerged as places of settlement, commerce and defence. To travel along this picturesque route is to journey through some of the earliest history of conflict and settlement of our two countries, and to tread in the footsteps of those who contributed to the shape and character of the lands that line this divided waterway.