Powassan, Ontario: The Windsor Hotel
The Windsor Hotel in Powassan, located at the southwest corner of Main and King Sts., 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.
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.”
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, a building contractor, furniture store owner and undertaker.
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 reception of a signal from a radio or television station.
Sundridge, Ontario: Military History and the 162nd Battalion
This historically significant Azo Tri 1 real-photo postcard, dating to World War I and a 1914-1918 time frame, shows troops from the Canadian Expeditionary Force (C.E.F.) posing at the Queen’s Hotel in Sundridge, Ontario.
A Glimpse of Commanda, Ontario in Parry Sound
Commanda, in the Parry Sound District of Ontario, is located about equidistant between Trout Creek and Golden Valley. It served as a way station on the Old Nipissing Road, also known as the Rousseau-Nipissing Colonization Road, which was one of the last routes built to encourage immigration to the Near North. James Arthurs (1866–1937), who would later go on to establish the 162nd Infantry Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Forces in 1914 opened a general store at Commanda in 1885.
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 begun to hire “brewery boosters,” traveling salesmen who traveled by horse and buggy to locations as diverse as Cobalt to the north and Kitchener, Kingston, Ottawa and Pembroke.
Historic Mattawa, Ontario Video
We never did find out who created this video of vintage postcards from our Mattawa collection and put it on YouTube, but we like the results and the rousing Stompin’ Tom tune.
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 largest Indian.”
North Bay, Ontario: What Happened to Canada’s Largest Indian?
Somewhere on Lakeshore Drive in North Bay, Ontario stood Chief Standing Moose. This spectacular example of roadside Canadiana (technically known as roadside Americana) was 24 feet tall. He was billed as “Canada’s largest Indian.”
