"Belle River" Belle River by kris-t

Belle River is a small community in Essex County, Ontario on the south shore of Lake St. Clair within the town of Lakeshore.

Population of Belle River, according to the 2001 census, is 4,887. The population occupies an area of 3.56 km² for a density of 1 372.8 people per km².

The settlement of this area began after a survey in 1793.

As a regional shipping point in the 1850s, Belle River enjoyed a certain amount of prosperity. Throughout most of the 19th century, milling was the major industry in this small community founded by French settlers from the Detroit River area.

It was also know for it's bootlegging during the US prohibition. A mule would cross frozen lake ST Clair with wiskey for the parched American's waiting on the other side.