North Bay history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of the territory where modern North Bay is located goes back to ancient times when these lands were inhabited by the Indigenous Nipissing peoples. The area served as part of a vital trade route known as the "Nipissing Passageway", connecting the Ottawa River to the Great Lakes. However, the city began to take shape as a permanent European settlement in 1882. The impulse for its foundation was the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). John Ferguson, who purchased the first plots of land, is considered the founder of the city, which received official status as a town in 1891.

Key Factors of Formation

The transformation of a small settlement into an important regional centre was driven by a combination of unique factors:

• Strategic Geography: The city is located on the shores of Lake Nipissing and Trout Lake, serving as a natural transport corridor across the Canadian Shield. This position made it a key point for travellers and cargo.
• Railway Boom: North Bay became a major railway hub where the CPR, Grand Trunk Railway, and later the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway lines intersected. This secured its unofficial title as the "Gateway of the North".
• Resource Base: The surrounding dense forests and geological features of the region promoted industrial development and attracted a labour force.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, North Bay's economy was based on two pillars: logging and transportation. The city developed as a rugged yet dynamic centre, where the majority of the population consisted of railway workers, lumberjacks, and prospectors heading to the northern mines. The cultural environment was shaped by hard physical labour and close interaction with nature, while maintaining an important historical connection with the traditions of the region's Indigenous peoples.

Chronology of North Bay's Development

• 1615 — French explorer Samuel de Champlain passed through the Lake Nipissing area, opening this important waterway to Europeans.
• 1882 — The arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) triggered the founding of a permanent settlement at the site of the modern city.
• 1891 — North Bay officially received town status, electing its first mayor, John Bourke.
• 1902 — Construction began on the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway, cementing the city's status as the "Gateway of the North".
• 1925 — Due to population growth and economic development, North Bay was officially proclaimed a city.
• 1934 — The famous Dionne Quintuplets were born near the city, turning the region into a centre of international tourism for many years.
• 1951 — The Royal Canadian Air Force base (RCAF Station North Bay) was opened, becoming a major employer and part of the city's infrastructure.
• 1963 — The unique underground NORAD complex, designed to control North American airspace, was put into operation.
• 1967 — Canadore College was founded, providing opportunities for professional and technical education in the region.
• 1992 — Nipissing University received its official charter and status as an independent higher education institution.
• 2006 — Aerospace defence centre operations were moved from the underground bunker to a modern above-ground facility at the airbase.

Major Milestones of the City's Development

North Bay's development was defined by its unique position as the "Gateway of the North" and its ability to adapt to changing economic conditions. Below are the key stages that shaped the modern look of the city:

• Establishment as a Transit Hub (1880–1900s). The construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and the subsequent creation of the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway turned the settlement into a critical logistics centre.
  Significance: This provided the city with an economic base, linking the industrial centres of the south with the resource-rich north, and attracted the first wave of permanent population.
• Achieving City Status (1925). The official recognition of North Bay as a City marked the transition from a temporary workers' settlement to a full-fledged administrative centre.
  Significance: The emergence of its own municipal structures allowed for systematic urban planning and improvements in infrastructure and management systems.
• The Tourism Phenomenon of the 1930s. The birth and worldwide fame of the Dionne Quintuplets in the suburbs of North Bay caused an unprecedented influx of tourists during the Great Depression.
  Significance: The tourism boom (over 3 million visitors in 9 years) saved the region's economy from collapse during the crisis years and stimulated large-scale road construction, including Highway 11.
• Creation of Military Infrastructure (1951–1963). The opening of the Royal Canadian Air Force base and the underground NORAD complex made the city an important strategic site in North America.
  Significance: The military sector became the largest employer, ensuring a stable flow of federal funds, housing construction for personnel, and airport modernization.
• Educational Transformation (1967–1992). The founding of Canadore College and the subsequent independent status of Nipissing University.
  Significance: A transition from a purely resource and transport-based economy to a knowledge economy. A student cluster formed in the city, rejuvenating the population and enriching cultural life.
• Waterfront Revitalization (1990–2000s). A large-scale project to transform former railway tracks by Lake Nipissing into a public space (park, marina, living museums).
  Significance: An urban planning shift that returned water access to residents. This created a new tourist image of the city as a place for leisure and family recreation, not just transit.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of North Bay is a visual chronicle of its transformation from a rugged transport hub into a modern regional centre. You will not find ancient Gothic cathedrals or lavish Baroque styles here; the city's appearance was dictated by the pragmatism of the railway era, the harsh climate, and available natural materials. The urban fabric is a mix of historical buildings from the late 19th century and functional modernism of the second half of the 20th century.

Eras and Styles

The city's development can be roughly divided into several key stages, each leaving its mark on the architecture:

• Railway Classicism and the Victorian Era (1880–1910s). A period of active red brick construction. In the city centre (Downtown), blocks of two- and three-story buildings remain, featuring commercial spaces on the ground floors and residential or office spaces above, typical of that time. The style is characterized by restrained decor, arched windows, and cornices.
• Edwardian Style and Art Deco (1920–1930s). In the interwar period, buildings focused on entertainment and public life appeared in the city. Architecture became more decorative, with elements of Neoclassicism and early Art Deco.
• Post-War Modernism (1950–1970s). The boom caused by the development of the military base and aviation brought simple geometric forms, concrete, and glass to the city. During this time, residential suburbs (bungalows) were actively built, along with administrative buildings.
• Modern Revitalization (1990–Present). A stage of reimagining industrial zones. The main emphasis is on integrating the urban environment with the natural landscape, especially in the waterfront area, where former railway infrastructure has given way to recreational zones.

Iconic Buildings and Structures

Several objects form the recognizable silhouette of North Bay and serve as landmarks for tourists:

• CPR Station (now Discovery North Bay Museum). A striking example of railway architecture from the early 20th century (built in 1903). The red brick building with Romanesque elements has been restored and symbolizes the city's historical status as the "Gateway of the North".
• Capitol Centre (1929). A historic theatre built in a style combining elements of Spanish Colonial Revival and Vaudeville atmosphere. It is one of the few buildings of that era to preserve its original interior and façade, miraculously avoiding demolition.
• Pro-Cathedral of the Assumption. A majestic white stone building dominating the cityscape. Built in the early 20th century (1905), the temple demonstrates features of Neo-Gothic style adapted to local conditions and serves as the spiritual centre of the region.
• Canadore College and Nipissing University Campus. An example of the successful integration of Brutalist architecture and late Modernism into the complex natural landscape of the Canadian Shield. The buildings are literally embedded into the rocks and forest.

Urban Planning Features

North Bay's layout is unique in that it was forced to adapt to rigid geographical constraints. On one side, the city is bounded by Lake Nipissing, and on the other by the rocky outcrops of the Canadian Shield and Trout Lake.

Historically, the city was "cut" by railway tracks separating residential areas from the water. Modern urban planning aims to eliminate this barrier: creating underpasses, parks, and pedestrian zones (such as the Kate Pace Way), which return the city to the lake, turning the former industrial zone into a premier public space.

Notable Personalities of North Bay

North Bay has been the home or starting point for many talented people who have achieved success in politics, the arts, sports, and business. Here is a list of key figures whose names are inextricably linked with the city's history:

• Roy Thomson (1st Baron Thomson of Fleet) — Media Mogul and Entrepreneur.
  One of the most influential people in the history of global media. It was in North Bay in 1931 that he acquired his first radio station (CFCH), which marked the beginning of the creation of the giant Thomson Corporation empire (now Thomson Reuters).
• Lynn Johnston — Cartoonist.
  Author of the world-famous comic strip "For Better or For Worse". She lived in North Bay for many years, and the fictional town of Milborough, where the comic is set, is largely based on the real landscapes and atmosphere of North Bay.
• Mike Harris — Politician.
  The 22nd Premier of Ontario (1995–2002). Before beginning his political career, Harris lived and worked in North Bay, was a teacher, a school board member, and managed a ski resort in the city's vicinity.
• Kate Pace-Lindsay — Alpine Skier.
  World Champion in downhill skiing (1993) and a participant in two Olympic Games. She is the pride of the local sports community. A popular 12-kilometre multi-use trail, the "Kate Pace Way", which runs along the city's waterfront, is named in her honour.
• Giles Blunt — Writer and Screenwriter.
  Author of the John Cardinal detective novel series. Blunt grew up in North Bay and used the city as the prototype for the setting of his books (under the name "Algonquin Bay"). Later, the successful TV series "Cardinal" was filmed based on these books, with filming also taking place in the city.
• The Dionne Quintuplets — Historical Phenomenon.
  The world's first quintuplets to survive infancy. Although they were born in the neighbouring settlement of Corbeil, their lives were closely tied to North Bay. In the 1930s, they became the region's main tourist attraction, drawing millions of visitors and radically changing the city's economy.
• Kevin Frankish — Television Journalist.
  A well-known Canadian TV presenter who was the face of the morning show Breakfast Television in Toronto for a long time. He began his media career right here in North Bay, working at the local television station CKNY-TV.