The disruption of industry caused by the building of the canal was only temporary, and Smiths Falls grew rapidly following construction. An article in "Smith's Gazetteer" in 1846 described the town as a "flourishing little village pleasantly situated on the Rideau River and on the Canal, from Perth. It contains about 700 inhabitants. There are fifty dwellings, two grist mills (one with four run of stones), two sawmills, one carding and fulling mill, seven stores, six groceries, one axe factory, six blacksmiths, two wheelwrights, one cabinet maker, one chair-maker, three carpenters, one gunsmith, eleven shoemakers, seven tailors, one tinsmith and two taverns."