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

Old Town Hall

— North Bay Heritage Site —

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 30, 2022

1. Old Town Hall Marker

Inscription.

Old Town Hall. . , The construction of the Town Hall represented a defining moment in North Bay's early development. Until it was built, most municipal affairs were carried out at the Cormack block, located beside the current pedestrian laneway on Main Street East. , In 1902, local architect H.W. Angus was chosen to design the edifice, which was built a year later at the southwest corner of Ferguson and McIntyre Streets. The main entrance of the building faced the Methodist Church, now known as Trinity United Church. The Old Town Hall was designed with classical architectural elements that elevated its importance among the growing community. The hall was elevated upon a rusticated brick base, its entrance marked by a covered portico below a large Palladian window that dominated its facade. The gable roof resembled an open pediment, and held a large cupola in the centre of the building. North Bay's town hall would house the municipal offices, council chambers, the police department and the fire brigade. The construction of the Town Hall would solve a dilemma; for more than 10 years the town had struggled to provide a permanent home for both the policing needs of the growing village, and the North Bay fire brigade. , The brigade's livestock stables were located behind the Town Hall. In 1932, the fire brigade moved to the McIntyre side of the Town Hall. Wide barn style doors opening onto McIntyre Street allowed for timely dispatch. The entrance to the police headquarters was located at the south corner of the building and a small cellblock was located in the basement. , The Town Hall served as North Bay's civic headquarters for seventy-five years. Many important decisions were ratified at this site, including the amalgamation of the previously distinct municipalities of West Ferris and Widdifield to the City of North Bay in 1968. , In 1978, no longer able to handle the growing demands of municipal affairs, the aging building was demolished. The vacant property was used briefly as a municipal park and the current Thomson building was constructed in 1988.

The construction of the Town Hall represented a defining moment in North Bay's early development. Until it was built, most municipal affairs were carried out at the Cormack block, located beside the current pedestrian laneway on Main Street East.

In 1902, local architect H.W. Angus was chosen to design the edifice, which was built a year later at the southwest corner of Ferguson and McIntyre Streets. The main entrance of the building faced the Methodist Church, now known as Trinity United Church. The Old Town Hall was designed with classical architectural elements that elevated its importance among the growing community. The hall was elevated upon a rusticated brick base, its entrance marked by a covered portico below a large Palladian window that dominated its facade. The gable roof resembled an open pediment, and held a large cupola in the centre of the building. North Bay's town hall would house the municipal offices, council chambers, the police department and the fire brigade. The construction of the Town Hall would solve a dilemma; for more than 10 years the town had struggled to provide a permanent home for both the policing needs of the growing village, and the North Bay fire brigade.

The brigade's livestock stables were located behind the Town Hall. In 1932, the fire brigade moved to the McIntyre

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side of the Town Hall. Wide barn style doors opening onto McIntyre Street allowed for timely dispatch. The entrance to the police headquarters was located at the south corner of the building and a small cellblock was located in the basement.

The Town Hall served as North Bay's civic headquarters for seventy-five years. Many important decisions were ratified at this site, including the amalgamation of the previously distinct municipalities of West Ferris and Widdifield to the City of North Bay in 1968.

In 1978, no longer able to handle the growing demands of municipal affairs, the aging building was demolished. The vacant property was used briefly as a municipal park and the current Thomson building was constructed in 1988.

Erected by Municipal Heritage Committee — Historic Site Recognition Project. (Marker Number P5.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work. A significant historical year for this entry is 1902.

Location. 46° 18.657′ N, 79° 27.79′ W. Marker is in North Bay, Ontario, in Nipissing District. Marker is at the intersection of Ferguson Street and McIntyre Street West, on the left when traveling east on Ferguson Street. Marker is located beside the Ferguson Street sidewalk, overlooking the Thomson building.

Marker detail: City Council Chambers, May 1950 image. Click for full size.

Discovery North Bay Museum Collection

2. Marker detail: City Council Chambers, May 1950

Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 McIntyre Street West, North Bay ON P1B 2Y5, Canada. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Reverend Silas Huntington (within shouting distance of this marker); The Barry Building Explosion (within shouting distance of this marker); The Capitol Theatre (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Cormack Block (about 150 meters away); Mackey House (about 150 meters away); Jack Burrows Place (about 180 meters away); Old Post Office (about 240 meters away); Memorial Park Cenotaph Statue (approx. 0.2 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in North Bay.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. North Bay Heritage Sites

Also see . . . Henry [Harry] Westlake Angus.

H.W. Angus was a prolific architect in North Bay, Ont. who, with his brother Robert Y. Angus, dominated the architectural scene in northern Ontario during the first three decades of the 20th century. Born in London, Ont. on 27 March 1882 he was educated at public and high schools in that city but appears to have not received any formal university education. He persuaded his younger brothers Robert Y. Angus and George P. Angus to join him in North Bay in 1905. Dozens
Discovery North Bay Museum Collection

3. Marker detail: H.W. Angus architectural drawing of Town Hall
of commissions for buildings in North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, Sturgeon Falls, Haileybury, Cobalt, New Liskeard and Fort William were completed by their office. Together, they completed more than 70 projects in the region between 1905 and 1930.

(Submitted on February 12, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Marker detail: Town Hall, circa 1910 image. Click for full size.

Discovery North Bay Museum Collection

4. Marker detail: Town Hall, circa 1910

(looking north from former Methodist Church)

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 30, 2022

5. Old Town Hall Marker

(looking north from Ferguson Street • 1988 Thompson Building in background)

New City Hall Building (1976) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 30, 2022

6. New City Hall Building (1976)

(located one block south on McIntyre Street)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 10, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 63 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on February 12, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.