Near North Bay in Nipissing District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

La Vase Portages

Photographed by Kevin Craft, July 11, 2017

1. La Vase Portages Marker

Inscription. The historic La Vase (Mud) Portages began at the head of the nearby pond. These three portages, connecting Trout Lake and the lower La Vase River, were linked by small navigable streams and ponds. They formed part of the great canoe route via the Ottawa and Mattawa Rivers, Lake Nipissing and the French River, leading to the upper Great Lakes and the West, which was followed by the early explorers, missionaries and fur traders. Among many famous men who passed here were:
Étienne Brûlé, 1600; Samuel de Champlain, 1605;
Father Jean de Brébeuf, 1626; Jean Nicolet, 1634;
Pierre de la Vérendrye, 1731; Alexander Henry, 1761;
and Sir Alexander MacKenzie, 1802.

Erected by Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list.

Location. 46° 18.166′ N, 79° 23.048′ W. Marker is near North Bay, Ontario, in Nipissing District. It is on Trans-Canada Highway (Provincial Highway 17) 3.5 kilometers east

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of Provincial Highway 11, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located in a pull-out 3.5 km east of the Highway 11/17 junction. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: North Bay ON P0H 1K0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northeastern Ontario

and specifically in Northern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Nipissing District North Bay Jail (approx. 4.4 kilometers away); Veterans Fields (approx. 5.5 kilometers away); The Bomarc Missile (approx. 5.5 kilometers away); The CF100 Canuck (approx. 5.6 kilometers away); Jean Nicolet (approx. 5.6 kilometers away); Gateway of the North Arch (approx. 5.6 kilometers away); Golf Street / Lee Park (approx. 5.8 kilometers away); The Ontario Northland

Wideview of La Vase Portages Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Craft, July 11, 2017

2. Wideview of La Vase Portages Marker

Railway (approx. 5.8 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in North Bay.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2017, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. This page has been viewed 456 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 28, 2017, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec.