Thunder Bay in Thunder Bay District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Canadian Car & Foundry
La Canadian Car & Foundry
"Can Car" was the main plant of Canada's largest aircraft manufacturer during the Second World War. Here, workers built 1,451 of the reliable Hawker Hurricanes that won renown in the battle of Britain and 835 Curtiss Helldivers, significantly expanding Allied air power. Now a mass-transit factory, this complex retains many early 20th-century elements behind its modern exterior. It speaks to the wartime contributions of its workers, including some 3,000 women who moved into jobs traditionally held by men, mastering new skills such as riveting, welding, and precision drilling. These women would serve as models for later generations.
"Can Car" fut l'usine principale du plus grand avionneur canadien de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Ses ouvriers ont accru la puissance aérienne alliée en construisant 1451 Hawker Hurricanes, avion fiable qui s'illustra pendant la bataille d'Angleterre, et 835 Curtiss Helldivers. Modernisé pour la fabrication de matériel de transport collectif, ce complexe conserve maints éléments du début du XXe siècle. Il rappelle l'effort de guerre de ses ouvriers, dont 3 000 femmes qui ont su maîtriser des métiers alors réservés aux hommes, comme le rivetage, la soudure et le forage de précision, servant d'inspiration pour les générations à venir.
Erected by Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Industry & Commerce • War, World II • Women.
Location. 48° 21.454′ N, 89° 18.051′ W. Marker is in Thunder Bay, Ontario, in Thunder Bay District. Marker can be reached from Montreal Street, 0.4 kilometers east of Neebing Avenue. Marker is located in a small garden area just to the right of the security office for the Bombardier Transportation factory near Thunder Bay International Airport. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1001 Montreal Street, Thunder Bay ON P7C 4V6, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Elizabeth Muriel Gregory "Elsie" MacGill (here, next to this marker); The Mission of the Immaculate Conception 1849 (approx. 2.6 kilometers away); Commemorating the 100 Millionth Tree Planted (approx. 3.8 kilometers away); Fort William (approx. 3.9 kilometers away); Union of the North West and Hudson's Bay Companies (approx. 4.1 kilometers away); The Western Route of the C.P.R. (approx. 4.6 kilometers away); Thunder Bay Public Library (approx. 4.8 kilometers away); 10-Mile Road Race (approx. 4.9 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thunder Bay.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2017. It was originally submitted on August 7, 2017, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. This page has been viewed 289 times since then and 24 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 7, 2017, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec.