Cobalt in Timiskaming District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Bruce Lonsdale Memorial Park
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2022
1. Bruce Lonsdale Memorial Park Marker
This park is dedicated to the memory of Bruce Lonsdale for his outstanding contribution to the town of Cobalt and also to the citizens of the federal riding of Temiskaming.
Bruce was born in Cobalt on November 10th 1949. His political career began when he was elected to the Cobalt Council at the age of 24. He served as a councillor until 1976. He then ran successfully for the position of Mayor where he gained national recognition for his leadership during the Great Cobalt Fire Disaster of 1977. He was then enticed to enter federal politics. He was elected as a liberal member of Parliament for the riding of Temiskaming in 1980 where he served until his tragic death in January of 1982. His legacy will live on.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Government & Politics. A significant historical date for this entry is November 10, 1949.
Location. 47° 23.753′ N, 79° 41.072′ W. Marker is in Cobalt, Ontario, in Timiskaming District. Marker is on Argentite Street (Commission Street) just north of Bunker Lane, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located near the south end of the historic Cobalt Railway Station. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Commission Street, Cobalt ON P0J 1C0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cobalt Railway Station / La gare de Cobalt (here, next to this marker); Swamp Street / La rue Swamp
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Bruce Lonsdale Memorial Park. Excerpt:
Situated beside the railway station, this park is in memory of Bruce Lonsdale, who served as Mayor of the Town of Cobalt from 1976 to 1979. He led the town through its recovery from a disastrous fire in 1977 which ravaged the north end of the community destroying 123 homes and several businesses. He was a member of the Liberal Party of Canada and was elected to represent the riding of Temiskaming in the Federal House of Commons in 1980.(Submitted on April 28, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2022
2. Bruce Lonsdale Memorial Park Marker
Looking east from Argentite Street (Commission Street); the historic Cobalt Railway Station is on the left.
2. Bruce Lonsdale (Wikipedia). Excerpt:
In 1973, Lonsdale was elected to the council of his hometown of Cobalt. He served as mayor from 1977 to 1980, before seeking the Liberal nomination for the federal riding of Timiskaming. On the evening of January 22, 1982, Lonsdale died in a head-on collision on Highway 17, about 10 kilometers west of North Bay. He was 32 years old.(Submitted on April 28, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. It was a miracle no one died the day Cobalt nearly burned to the ground. Excerpt:
More than 60 buildings were lost on a hot and windy afternoon in what is considered one of the worst urban fires in Northern Ontario’s history. All that afternoon, nearly 500 firefighters from Cobalt and every nearby town fought the fires, with a failing water supply. They watched as home after home went up in flames. Private citizens with pickup trucks raced from house to house to salvage pieces of furniture, couches, dining tables, fridges and stoves which were then hauled off to the Cobalt hockey arena, to be claimed days later. Overhead, at one point mid-afternoon, forest fire water bombers were called in to help stop the flames from spreading. It worked.(Submitted on April 28, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 1, 2022
3. The Historic Cobalt Railway Station (south elevation)
Looking north; Argentite Street (Commission Street) is on the left; the marker is on the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 28, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 38 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 28, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
