Nipigon in Thunder Bay District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Nipigon Service Garage
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Palace Theatre
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 9, 2022
1. Nipigon Service Garage / Palace Theatre Marker
In 1925, Arvo Paju built the Nipigon Service Garage, the first garage in town. It was also the Imperial Esso Service Station and the General Motors Dealership. In the early 1930s, Charles and Frank Gerlach bought the business. It stayed in their family for the next 40 years with their younger brother Henry "Hank" taking over in 1952. Arvo rebuilt the garage for the Gerlachs in 1937 after the roof caved in during a record snowfall, this time using solid square timber construction.
Leo Plemel and Wilbert Alanan bought the business in 1970. At different times in the next two decades, the Nipigon Red-Rock Gazette had offices in the back, there was a thrift shop, and a pool hall and pop shop were located in the front. John Zechner purchased the property in 1981. When the grocery store was enlarged in 1987, the garage was demolished to expand the parking lot.
This central location has changed ownership more than a dozen times in the past century. A community hall built in the 1920s by Arvo Paju was a lively meeting place in the early days of Nipigon. The hall was also known as the Palace Theatre, the place to go for a night out to watch the silent pictures and listen to the piano player. Weekend dances were also popular, with live bands driving up from the Lakehead to put on a show at The Blue Lagoon. Next door was a large
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If you were looking for a fancy new Chevrolet or Oldsmobile in the 1950s, you could buy it at Clark Motors located on the corner. Riverside Motors followed. Up the hill was the competition, Bouvier Motors which sold Ford and Mercury vehicles.
In 2002, this prime property continues to be a centre of activity with a convenience store, fast food outlet and community newspaper as tenants.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.
Location. 49° 0.889′ N, 88° 15.812′ W. Marker is in Nipigon, Ontario, in Thunder Bay District. It is on 5th Street just west of Railway Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 5th Street, Nipigon ON P0T 2J0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Ontario and specifically in Northwest Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, in the Great North Woods, on Lake Superior’s North Shore, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in 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 walking distance of this marker: In Tribute to John Salo (a few steps from this marker); Lest We Forget (a few steps from this marker); The Nipigon River Drives (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Nipigon CP Railway Station (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Consumers Co-op Store
Courtesy George O’Neill Public School
2. Marker detail: Original Nipigon Service Garage
This 1936 E. C. Everett photo shows the original Nipigon Service Garage.
Courtesy Nipigon Historical Museum
3. Marker detail: The “Snowplow House”
Shown in the photos is the “Snowplow house”, named for its shape, and inhabited by the Johnson and Martin families. Up the hill on Sixth Street are the Gordon, Willans and Lespi homes, built circa 1910.
Courtesy Nipigon Historical Museum
4. Marker detail: Nipigon Service Center and Intersection
The intersection was one-stop car shopping with two car dealerships side by side and the Nipigon Service Garage across the street.
Courtesy Nipigon Historical Museum
5. Marker detail: Salonen’s Café
Salonen’s Café was a popular eatery in the 1930’s on the former white house property. Later on, the lot was home to Bouvier Motors. In 2002, a cabinet making, car care and tax service operated from this location.
Courtesy Nipigon Historical Museum
6. Marker detail: Community Hall
The Community Hall and the rooming house known as the “white house” were the first two buildings in this part of town.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 9, 2022
7. Nipigon Service Garage / Palace Theatre Marker
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 9, 2022
8. Gerlach's Service Center (model)
Located in front of the Nipigon Tourist Information Centre, on Trans-Canada Highway (Ontario 11/17) at the west edge of town.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 409 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. submitted on April 10, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
