Kenora in Kenora District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Rat Portage
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 13, 2022
1. Rat Portage Marker
This was early frontier Kenora/Keewatin, and was named by the Ojibway people for the many muskrats inhabiting these waters. Venturing into this area were a number of fur traders employed by the Northwest Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company. They along with the First Nations people and the Voyageurs became the rock on which was built this nation we know today as Canada.
Erected 1997 by The Hudson’s Bay History Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Industry & Commerce • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 49° 46.059′ N, 94° 29.38′ W. Marker is in Kenora, Ontario, in Kenora District. Marker is on First Street South just east of Main Street South (Trans-Canada Highway) (Provincial Highway 17), on the left when traveling east. The marker is the focal point of the mural painted on the south facade of the building at this address. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13008 First Street South, Kenora ON P9N 1S7, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Jubilee Parade - 1996 (a few steps from this marker); The Main Street Dock — 1996 (within shouting distance of this marker); Sharing the Dream — 1995 (about
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Vintage Views of Rat Portage — Now Kenora, Ontario. Excerpt:
Until 1905, the Ontario community of Kenora was known to settlers as Rat Portage. According to local legend, a flour mill refused to move to a place with "rat" in its name — prompting the name change. "Kenora" combines the names of two communities it absorbed: Keewatin and Norman. It's located on the Lake of the Woods near the Manitoba border.(Submitted on April 18, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Wauzhushk Onigum Nation (The Canadian Encyclopedia). Excerpt:
Wauzhushk Onigum’s traditional territory, along with the nearby community of Obashkaandagaang First Nation, encompasses the land along Lake of the Wood’s northern shoreline, including the(Submitted on April 18, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)land that the City of Kenora rests upon. Rat Portage, as the area was called before changing to Kenora, was known for its fur trade (muskrat in particular), mining, and logging. Both Kenora and Wauzhushk Onigum’s reserve were originally called Rat Portage because roughly translated Wauzhushk Onigum means “portage to the country of the muskrats.”Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 13, 20222. Rat Portage Mural
3. How Kenora Got its Name. Excerpt:
(By By Gerry Cariou, 4/12/2023) Back in the late 1800s, the area around Kenora was a bustling stop along the CP Rail line. There was activity in a number of industries, notably gold and flour. At the time, there were three communities situated right beside each other, each with a different name. There was Keewatin, where the flour mill was situated, Norman, the island just east of Keewatin, and the bustling burb of Rat Portage. Much talk and complaining about the name "Rat Portage" occurred, but nothing was done about it until 1905.(Submitted on April 18, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Someone came up with the clever idea to combine parts of the names of the three existing communities into one name. Hence, they took the "KE" from Keewatin, the "NO" from Norman, and the "RA" from Rat Portage and developed the name we all know and love today: Kenora! KEewatin-NOrman-RAtPortage!Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 13, 20223. Hudson's Bay Company Plaque(mounted near the bottom left corner the mural)
This mural
illustrating the heritage, importance
and impact of
Hudson’s Bay Company
incorporated 2nd May 1670
in the development of
the Lake of the Woods area
was sponsored through the generosity
of
The Hudson’s Bay History Foundation
1997
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 13, 2022
4. Rat Portage Mural
The mural spans the south façade of the building.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 46 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 18, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
