Photo:

Township dedicates new CPR Heritage Park

Rosalind Raby
Local News - Wednesday, September 22, 2004 @ 17:00

It is a dream come true for the Township of North Shore.

The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Heritage Park has been a dream for a few years.

Township residents, council and other dignitaries were on hand last Wednesday to formally open the new tourist attraction.

Reeve George Johnson formally welcomed the 40 or so people on hand for the celebration.

“This is a wonderful addition to our area,” says Johnson. “The signage at the site complements the signage of the Lake Huron North Channel Historical Trails system.

“The sculpture, the train, and the accompanying figures, mark an important milestone in the founding of Algoma Mills.

“The work done by sculptor, Laval Bouchard, is amazing.

“The two figures represent two important people in our community. Charles Fillion and Mac Spencer were both an important part of the history of this, our home.”

Johnson also spoke of the history of the area and the role CP played in it.

“The relationship between the CPR and Algoma Mills began in 1882 when the railway acquired 200 acres of land in Algoma Mills.

“They began construction of the rail line from Algoma Mills to Sudbury to support the CPR’s lumbering interests.”

The rail giant also began the foundation work of a planned 300-room hotel for affluent travellers.

Rail, equipment, material and workers were brought in by boat to a new dock that was constructed on the east bank of Lauzon Creek.

“An economic boom was underway along the entire North Shore as the CPR branch line between Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie was being surveyed.”

The company also began developing plans to enlarge the dock located in the small community, and build a grain elevator in order to compete for carrying United States grain from Chicago to the eastern seaboard.

The hotel would have changed the face of the North Shore, let alone Algoma Mills, but it was not to be.

“While construction of the hotel was abandoned in 1886, in favour of the Banff Springs Hotel, Algoma Mills became the rail giant’s major coal delivery port for the Algoma District in 1907.”

Over 200,000 tonnes of coal moved across the dock during a single navigational season.

The small hamlet included an immigration and customs office, a post office, three general stores, a bakery and two hotels. As many as six passenger trains arrived daily.

In 1910, Algoma Mills was abandoned as a coal receiving port in favour of a more modern facility at Byng Inlet, later called Britt, Ontario.

On hand to celebrate that heritage was Algoma-Manitoulin MPP, Mike Brown, and Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing MP, Brent St. Denis. Both had words of praise for the project.

“I’m very impressed,” says St. Denis. “This piece of art will adorn this area for years to come.

“The federal government is proud to have had role to play in bringing this project to fruition.

“Algoma Mills has a rich history when it comes to the area being a part of the Voyageurs trade routes and led to early contact with many of our Aboriginal peoples.

“The people of the area can be proud of the history they mark here today.”

Brown concurs.

“I was really impressed with the signage. I didn’t realize the history that was found in the area.

“It’s a good solid history and smaller communities need to share more of their histories. It’s a great project.”

The project was funded by Industry Canada, SuperBuild of Ontario, the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation, the Northern Communities Capital Assistance Program, the Patten Post Diversification Fund and the municipality itself.

Following the ribbon cutting by Johnson, St. Denis and Brown, the crowd gathered at the pavilion to enjoy the afternoon.

The new park is located just off Highway 17, on Highway 538, and is open to the public.



 

ID- 80313 Printable Version