North Bay, Ontario
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| City of North Bay, Ontario |
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| Motto: Just North Enough to be Perfect! | |
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| Coordinates: | |
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| Country | Canada |
| Province | Ontario |
| Established | 1891 |
| City Mayor | Victor Fedeli |
| Governing Body | North Bay City Council |
| MP | Anthony Rota |
| MPP | Monique Smith |
| Area | |
| - City | 314.92 km² (121.6 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 197 m (645 ft) |
| Population | |
| - City (2001 Census) | 52,771 |
| - Density | 167.6/km² (434.1/sq mi) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Postal Code span | P1A, P1B, P1C |
| Website: City of North Bay | |
North Bay (, time zone EST) is a city in Northeastern Ontario, Canada (2001 population 52,771). North Bay takes its name from its position on the shore of Lake Nipissing, and covers an area of 314.92 square kilometres (121.6 sq mi) It is the seat of Nipissing District.
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[edit] History
The area was first explored by Samuel de Champlain. Outside of Indian tribes, voyageurs and surveyors, there was little activity in the Lake Nipissing area until the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1882. The CPR started its westward expansion from Callander where the first spike was driven into sunken railway tie. That was the point where the Canada Central Railway extension ended. The CCR was owned by Duncan McIntyre who amalgamated it with the CPR and became one of the handful of officers of the newly formed CPR. The CCR started in Brockville and extended to Pembroke. It then followed a westward route along the Ottawa River passing through places like Cobden, Deux Rivieres and eventually to Mattawa at the confluence of the Mattawa and Ottawa Rivers. It then proceeded cross-country towards its final destination Callander. Duncan McIntyre and his contractor James Worthington piloted the CCR expansion. Worthington continued on as the construction superintendent for the CPR past Callander. He remained with the CPR for about a year until he left the company. McIntyre was uncle to John Ferguson who staked out future North Bay after getting assurance from his uncle and Worthington that it would be the divisional point and a location of some importance.
In 1882, John Ferguson decided that the north bay of Lake Nipissing was a promising spot for settlement. North Bay was incorporated as a town in 1891. The first mayor was John Bourke. More importantly, Bourke developed the western portion of North Bay after purchasing the interest of the Murray Brothers from Pembroke who were large landholders in the new community. The land west of Klock Avenue (Algonquin Avenue) was known as the Murray block. Bourke Street is named after John Bourke. Murray Street is named after the Murrays.
North Bay is known as a railway town. Besides the CPR, the town became the terminus of the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway in 1902 when the Ross government took the bold move to establish a development road to serve the Haileybury settlement. During construction of the T&NO silver was discovered at Cobalt and started a mining frenzy in the northland that continued for many years. The current Canadian National Railway carved its way through the centre of North Bay in 1913.
The Georgian Bay Canal was a mammoth transportation system that proposed to connect the Great Lakes with the Atlantic Ocean. The entire passageway from the Ottawa River to Lake Nipissing and down the French River to Georgian Bay was surveyed, mapped and ready to go in the first decade of the 20th century. Financing became the giant hurdle and as time passed, transportation patterns changed and interfered with the earlier practicality of the giant venture. Despite this, there were groups who still hoped it would happen as late as 1930.
North Bay grew through a strong lumbering sector, mining and the three railways in the early days. The town benefited from strong community leadership and names like Richardson, Milne, McNamara, Browning, McDougal, Carruthers, McGaughey, George W Lee, Senator Gordon, T J Patton, Charlie Harrison, and many others are responsible for its development. In 1919, John Ferguson was elected mayor of North Bay and continued to serve as mayor until 1922. North Bay was incorporated as a city in August 1925.
The Dionne Quintuplets were born in Corbeil, Ontario, on the outskirts of North Bay in 1934. This miraculous birth had a tremendous impact on tourism in the area. In fact, the Dionnes may have saved the economy in the district during the Depression and beyond. North Bay and area lived off this legacy well into the 1960s. Many visitors to the area discovered lakes and summer retreats that were easily accessible and the businesses thrived on the tourist dollars.
In January 1968 the City of North Bay amalgamated with West Ferris and Widdifield townships.
The current engines driving North Bay's economy are the vast university and college population, the hospitals (awaiting construction of a modern new district hospital, which has experienced delay after delay), a military installation at the airport, tourism, and a stable provincial government service centre.
[edit] Geography and climate
North Bay is located approximately 330 kilometres (210 mi) north of Toronto, Ontario and differs in geography from Southern Ontario in that North Bay is situated on the Canadian Shield. This gives rise to a different and more rugged landscape.
North Bay is geographically unique in that it straddles both the Ottawa River watershed to the east and the Great Lakes watershed to the west.
North Bay, critically situated at the junctions of Highway 11 and Highway 17, remains a major transportation centre for Northern Ontario. It is the southern terminus of the Ontario Northland Railway, and is served by the Jack Garland Airport.
The climate in North Bay is common to most places in Northern Ontario. North Bay tends to be a less humid climate than that found in Southern Ontario due somewhat to the distance from the Great Lakes and less warm than some other locations in Northern Ontario due to cooling from Lake Nipissing.
| Category | January (Avg) | July (Avg) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal maximum temperature | -8.1 °C (17 °F) | 23.8 °C (75 °F) |
| Normal minimum temperature | -18.0 °C (0 °F) | 13.2 °C (56 °F) |
| Average sunshine | 94.5 hours | 278.3 hours |
| Average precipitation | 59 cm snow (23.2 in) | 97 mm rain (3.8 in) |
[edit] Economy
North Bay is somewhat more economically diverse than many other Northern Ontario communities, although a large percentage of the city's jobs are public sector in nature with education and government dominating the list of the city's top employers.
North Bay is the home of Nipissing University, founded in 1992, and of Canadore College, founded in 1967. Approximately 7,000 full-time students (and thousands more part-time students) are enrolled at the two post-secondary institutions, which share a campus in the west end of the city.
North Bay is the site of CFB North Bay (22 Wing), a North American Aerospace Defense Command control center, with operations taking place inside a facility located deep underground, similar to, but on a much smaller scale than, the famous Cheyenne Mountain base in Colorado. Although historically 22 Wing was a sizable operation, today it employs approximately 500 personnel. North Bay is also home to The Algonquin Regiment, A Coy, a Canadian Forces Army Reserve unit. B Coy of The Algonquin Regiment is located in Timmins, Ontario.
The service industry, tourism, and transportation also play a significant role in the city's economy.
In recent years the city has gained prominence as a hub of arts and culture in Ontario, due to its vibrant community of artists, musicians, actors and writers. In 2004, the TV Ontario program Studio 2 selected North Bay as being one of the top 3 most artistically talented communities in the province. North Bay's reputation as a sophisticated university town, desirable retirement community and four season vacation destination continues to grow.
[edit] Waterfront Development
The city has big plans for the waterfront. In the 1980's a mile long waterfront park/promenade was developed along the Lake Nipissing shoreline adjacent to the downtown core. Eventually such attractions as a mini-train ride and (more recently) two antique carousels (largely crafted by local artisans) were installed and quickly became very popular with tourists and locals alike. Now, work is getting underway on a large new multifaceted community park that will be developed on the former Canadian Pacific Railway yards that separated the downtown core from the existing waterfront park. Several more carousels, botanical gardens, a childrens area and an extended mini-train ride will be among the parks's attractions. The new community waterfront park is planned for completion by the year 2011 and is expected to transform the look and feel of the city centre and become a major tourist attraction for the city and region.
[edit] Media
[edit] TV
- 2 - CFGC-2, Global
- 4 - CBLT-4, CBC (formerly CHNB)
- 6 - CICA-6, TVOntario
- 7 - CBLFT-1, SRC
- 10 - CKNY, CTV
- 32 - CHCH-6, CH
- Cable 12 - Cogeco Cable community channel
[edit] Radio
- 600 AM - CKAT, country music
- 92.5 FM - CHIM-1, Christian music (rebroadcaster of CHIM Timmins)
- 95.1 FM - CBON-17, La Première Chaîne
- 96.1 FM - CBCN, CBC Radio One
- 100.5 FM - CHUR, EZRock adult contemporary
- 101.9 FM - CKFX, The Fox active rock
- 103.5 FM - new Christian music, to replace FM 89.5 CJTK-1 in 2006
- 104.9 FM - CKTR, tourist information
- 106.3 FM - CFXN, Moose FM hot adult contemporary
[edit] Community profile
- Population in 2001: 52,771
- Land area: 314.92 km² or 121.6 sq mi
- Median total income of persons 15 years of age and over ($): 20,802
- Median family income ($) All census families: 53,668
- Average value of dwelling ($): 160,000
- % of the population with a university certificate, diploma or degree: 50.7
Based on the Canada 2001 Census.
[edit] Racial Demographics
- 93.2% Caucasian
- 5.5% Aboriginal
- 0.8% Asian-Canadian
- 0.5% African-Canadian
[edit] Prominent people
Prominent people who live or have lived in North Bay include:
- Jaymz Bee, musician, radio personality and former frontman of The Look People
- Giles Blunt, author
- Gerald Bull, controversial aerospace engineer
- Billy Coutu, NHL hockey player
- John Critchley, musician and vocalist for alternative rock band 13 Engines
- Ab DeMarco Sr - Professional Hockey Centerman who played seven seasons in the National Hockey League
- Ed Eng, internationally acclaimed photographer
- Michael J. Fox, actor
- Dennis Geden, internationally acclaimed painter
- Bobby Gimby, orchestra leader, singer/songwriter who wrote the Canadian Centennial song
- Mike Harris, former Premier of Ontario
- Susan Hay, Global news reporter
- High Holy Days, rock music group
- Troy Hurtubise, inventor
- Gerry Mendicino, actor
- Chantal Nadon, world champion kick boxer
- Steve Omischl, world aerial and overall freestyle ski champion
- Kate Pace-Lindsay, world downhill alpine ski champion
- Craig Rivet, NHL Defenseman for the Montreal Canadiens
- Lance Storm, former WWE Intercontinental Champion
- Kenneth Thomson, 2nd Baron Thomson of Fleet
- Scott Thompson, comedic actor
Cartoonist Lynn Johnston lives just outside the city in nearby Corbeil, and the famous Dionne Quintuplets were born on the outskirts of the city between Corbeil and Callander. Roy Thomson, 1st Baron Thomson of Fleet started his empire in North Bay in 1931 with the purchase of an AM radio station, CFCH, and moving it to North Bay. Thomson Park in North Bay is named in his honour.
[edit] Communities
- Airport Hill
- Birchaven
- Camp Champlain
- Champlain Park
- Cooks Mills
- Feronia
- Ferris
- Graniteville
- Hornell Heights
- Lounsbury
- Marshall Park
- Nipissing Junction
- North Bay
- Pinewood
- Redbridge
- Sunset Park
- Thorncliff
- Trout Mills
- Widdifield
| North: Nipissing Unorganized North Part | ||
| West: Nipissing 10, Lake Nipissing |
North Bay | East: Nipissing Unorganized North Part, East Ferris |
| South: Callander |
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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- WikiSatellite view at WikiMapia
- Street map from Mapquest
- Topographic map from Topozone
- Aerial photograph from Terraserver
- City of North Bay
- BayToday.ca
- North Bay History
- Photos of North Bay
- Travel Guide to North Bay
- Ontario Highway 11 Homepage - North Bay
