Whitewater Region is located in the scenic Ottawa Valley, just an hour’s drive west of Ottawa. It is comprised of four prior municipalities: Beachburg, Westmeath, Ross and Cobden. Beachburg’s early industry included a flax mill, a cheese and butter factory and flour mills. At one time Beachburg was a stopping place along the railway line with a station and grain elevators. As Pembroke and Ottawa flourished, the need to travel between the two communities increased. Due to the rapids on the Ottawa River, the steamer from Ottawa could not travel the whole distance by river and a land route was required. In 1849 a winter road was established, and the village of Cobden was born.

In early days, Westmeath was situated on the busy portage route to the lumber camps and the hamlet grew as settlers moved into the surrounding area. Historical fires occurred in each of the hamlets and villages in Whitewater Region.