Canoes on a Lake in Early Morning, Northern Ontario
Canoes on a Lake in Early Morning, Northern Ontario
The Gray Wolf of Canada
The gray wolf (Canis lupus), is an Ice Age survivor. It is plentiful in Northern Ontario, especially in the Algonquin Park area of the Nipissing District.
Black Bear Crossing the Road Near North Bay, Ontario
An American Black Bear, or Ursus americanus, crosses a road near North Bay, Ontario with a cub.
Early Canadian Postage Stamp from 1859
One of the first Canadian postage stamps, designed by Sir Sandford Fleming, was the 5-cent beaver, issued in 1859.
Dog Sledding in Northern Ontario, Canada
Dog sledding is still used as a means of wintertime transportation in some places in Northern Ontario, Canada, although dog sled races also became popular in the 20th century.
Side View of Pioneer Log Cabin Home in the Nipissing District
Side view of early pioneer log cabin home of the 19th century, in the Nipissing District.
Lady’s Slipper Orchid
Charles Darwin tried unsuccessfully to grow these wildflowers, also known as Cypripedium reginae.
Trillium Wildflower in the Nipissing District, Ontario
A lone trillium (Trillium grandiflorum) tucked in a log.
Window of Early Pioneer Log Cabin in Nipissing District, Ontario
Window of early pioneer log cabin in Nipissing District, Ontario.
Bull Moose in Northern Ontario Bush During Light Snowfall
Bull moose in the Northern Ontario bush during light snowfall.
Waterfall in the Bush Country of Northern Ontario, Canada
Waterfall in the bush country of Northern Ontario, Canada.
Bog in the Nipissing District, Near North Bay, Ontario
Bog in the Nipissing District, near North Bay, Ontario.
The Fiddle-Head Fern, a Northern Delicacy
Gathered in the spring, the fiddle-head fern is a Canadian food delicacy.
Poutine, a French-Canadian Delicacy
French fries with gravy and cheese, a popular and satisfying French-Canadian comfort food.
Mattawa
Bruno Charron, Canadian Photography in Mattawa, Ontario
September 13, 2010 · Leave a Comment
This charming cabinet card documents the work of Canadian photographer Bruno Charron, who worked as a photographer and barber in Mattawa, Ontario between at least 1882 and 1922. We believe this portrait of the Napoleon Fink family dates to about 1889. It measures the standard 4-1/4 by 6-1/2 inches used for cabinet cards and has rounded corners but is devoid of a photographer’s imprint on the reverse, which occurred with later cabinet cards. On the plain reverse, the names of the subjects are listed as: Napoleon Fink, Anna (née Dugas), Leyda, Dora (Theodora), Arthur and Oscar.... [Read the full story]
North Bay
The Canadian Pacific Railway at North Bay, Ontario in 1884
November 26, 2010 · Leave a Comment
We’re excited to share a recent find with you — an important pioneer photograph of Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) railroad workers in North Bay, Ontario. Penciled on the reverse is a note which says: “Old Time Ry. Men, CPR, North Bay. Taken in March 1884.” The image is sharply focused and well composed; we can’t help but wonder who the undoubtedly experienced photographer was. While North Bay served as a regional trading center as early as 1851, it wasn’t until November 1882 – only 1-1/2 years before this picture was taken — that it incorporated... [Read the full story]
Parry Sound
Powassan, Ontario: The Windsor Hotel
December 26, 2010 · Leave a Comment
No mention of downtown Powassan would be complete without the inclusion of The Windsor Hotel, which was located at the southwest corner of Main and King Sts. It was demolished in February 2010 for redevelopment. Originally, a general store was on the site. It was built in 1887. After changing hands several times, a Mr. Desjardin built the Windsor, perhaps by adding on to the original store. George Purdon was also an early owner of the Windsor. After several more owners, the building was purchased by Harold and Carol Oswin. After Harold Oswin’s 1996 death, Roger and Rose George bought... [Read the full story]
Temagami
The Lakeview House, an Early Bear Island Hotel
January 16, 2010 · Leave a Comment
One of Bear Island’s early buildings, which survived until 1973, was the Lakeview House, where the TFN (Temagami First Nation) recreation center is now located. Seen here in a c. 1920s real-photo postcard, it was a two-story substantial L-shaped residence. Area residents as well as what appear to be tourists pose on the porch in this image. Also known as “Old John Turner’s place,” we were told in an oral history interview that the house was built about 1885 and was constructed of log. This would probably have been just the first story of the building; although two-story... [Read the full story]
Video
Historic Mattawa, Ontario Video
October 25, 2010 · Leave a Comment
We never did find out who created this video of vintage postcards from our Mattawa collection, but we like the results and the rousing Stompin’ Tom tune. Someone with the handle “lindprod” put it up on YouTube in December 2007, where it’s since had almost 3,000 views. Enjoy! Read about Bruno Charron, a late 19th c. Mattawa photographer. Copyright ©2010, NipissingHistory.com. All rights reserved. Read More →
North Bay
The Canadian Pacific Railway at North Bay, Ontario in 1884
We’re excited to share a recent find with you — an important pioneer photograph of Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) railroad workers in North Bay, Ontario. Penciled on the reverse is a note which says: “Old Time Ry. Men, CPR, North Bay. Taken in March 1884.” The image is sharply focused and...
[Continue reading: The Canadian Pacific Railway at North Bay, Ontario in 1884]
A North Bay, Ontario Furniture Store and Funeral Home
This important early North Bay, Ontario real-photo postcard (RPPC), tells us much about the lifestyle and social mores of North Bayites nearly 100 years ago. The imposing gentleman wearing an overcoat and hat is local businessman Frederick J. Martyn. Born on 22 April 1868 and a teacher by trade, he arrived in North...
[Continue reading: A North Bay, Ontario Furniture Store and Funeral Home]
Ham Radio Operators and QSL Cards in North Bay, Ontario
Ham radio operators have been sending QSL cards for almost a century, and here are two examples from North Bay, Ontario. QSL stands for “I acknowledge receipt.” The traditional use of the postcard-sized QSL card was to serve as written confirmation of a two-way amateur radio communication or one-way...
[Continue reading: Ham Radio Operators and QSL Cards in North Bay, Ontario]
North Bay, Ontario: The New Ontario Brewery
The New Ontario Brewery led a short but eventful life in North Bay. Established in 1905 by a group of businessmen headed up by James Palango, it produced a German-style lager beer. The company prospered, and enough beer was produced to supply both North Bay and surrounding communities. By 1910, the New Ontario had...
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North Bay, Ontario Mystery Solved: Canada’s Largest Indian Location
A serendipitous purchase has solved a mystery: the former location of Canada’s largest Indian, a roadside attraction which was in North Bay, Ontario. Chief Standing Moose, a spectacular example of roadside Canadiana (technically known as roadside Americana) was 24 feet tall and billed as “Canada’s...
[Continue reading: North Bay, Ontario Mystery Solved: Canada’s Largest Indian Location]
North Bay, Ontario: What Happened to Canada’s Largest Indian?
Since the automobile opened travel opportunities in the 1920s, North Bay’s Lakeshore Drive — hugging the shoreline of Lake Nipissing — has been the home to many of the city’s motels, cottages and cabins. Somewhere on Lakeshore stood Chief Standing Moose. This spectacular example of roadside...
[Continue reading: North Bay, Ontario: What Happened to Canada’s Largest Indian?]
Early Old Home Week Celebrations in Canada
We once had a conversation with a North Bay area educator about North Bay’s 1925 Old Home Week celebration. She had thought that Old Home Week was a North Bay invention; however, that’s incorrect. Here, at last, is “proof” of that — a 1904 patriotic private postcard which shows that...
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Commanda
A Glimpse of Commanda, Ontario in Parry Sound
Commanda, in the Parry Sound District of Ontario, is located about equidistant between...
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Powassan
Powassan, Ontario: The Windsor Hotel
No mention of downtown Powassan would be complete without the inclusion of The...
Read More Posts From Powassan »
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News, Trivia and Updates
