Mississippi Mills · Lanark County

Pakenham

Pakenham real estate: a historic village on the Mississippi River.

A one-of-a-kind stone bridge, an 1840 general store, a family ski hill and a sugar bush: country-village living in Mississippi Mills, about an hour west of Ottawa.

By April Mohr, Team Lead & REALTOR® · Mohr Properties Real Estate Group |

Last updated September 28, 2026

Pakenham is a small, historic village in the Municipality of Mississippi Mills, on the banks of the Mississippi River in Lanark County. It shares a municipality with Almonte, sits about an hour west of downtown Ottawa, and is best known for its landmark five-span stone bridge, its 1840 general store, and four-season country recreation.

The character

One-of-a-kind history

Pakenham’s icon is its Historic Five-Span Stone Bridge, built in 1903 by Scottish stonemasons across the Mississippi River, and believed to be the only five-arch stone bridge of its kind in North America (carefully restored in 1984). In the village core, the Pakenham General Store has traded on the same spot since 1840, in its original stone building. Add Mount Pakenham, a family ski and snowboard hill, and Fulton’s Sugar Bush, making maple syrup since 1840, and you have a genuine four-season country village.

Homes

Homes in Pakenham

Pakenham offers what the suburbs can’t: village character homes, rural acreage and hobby farms, and waterfront along the Mississippi River. It’s a smaller market than Almonte or the Ottawa communities, so the right property doesn’t come up every day. When it does, being ready matters. Farms and waterfront are among our specialties.

Lifestyle

Life in Pakenham

The Five-Span Bridge

The village landmark: a one-of-a-kind 1903 stone arch bridge over the Mississippi River.

1840 General Store

Canada’s oldest general store on its original site, trading in the same stone building since 1840.

Mount Pakenham

A family-run ski, snowboard and snowshoe hill, with winter fun minutes from home.

Fulton’s Sugar Bush

A 400-acre maple farm making syrup since 1840, with pancakes, tours and sleigh rides in spring.

A good fit for

Who Pakenham is right for

Buyers who want country or village life (character homes, acreage, or waterfront on the Mississippi) with four-season recreation on the doorstep and Ottawa still within reach. It suits families, downsizers wanting a slower pace, and anyone drawn to a tight-knit rural community.

Explore Pakenham

Everything Pakenham

Homes for Sale

Browse current Pakenham listings.

Market Report

How the market is moving, updated monthly.

Living in Pakenham

Village life, the river, the bridge, and recreation.

Schools & Family Life

Schools, recreation, and family amenities.

A Good Place to Buy?

Our honest take on lifestyle, value, and trade-offs.

Selling in Pakenham

How we market and sell homes here.

Thinking about Pakenham?

Let’s talk. Honest, local advice from a team that knows Mississippi Mills.

or call 613-857-3423

Good to know

Pakenham FAQ

Where is Pakenham?

Pakenham is a village in the Municipality of Mississippi Mills, Lanark County, on the Mississippi River, about an hour west of downtown Ottawa and roughly 20 minutes from Almonte and Arnprior.

What is Pakenham known for?

Its landmark Five-Span Stone Bridge (1903), the Pakenham General Store (trading since 1840), Mount Pakenham ski hill, and Fulton’s Sugar Bush. It’s a four-season country village.

What’s it like to live in Pakenham?

Small-village, rural living: character homes, acreage and Mississippi River waterfront, a tight-knit community, and year-round recreation, with Almonte’s amenities close by and Ottawa within reach.

Is Pakenham a good place to buy?

For buyers who want country or waterfront living with four-season recreation and a genuine village community, often yes. It’s a small market. See our honest take on the Good Place to Buy page.