Murillo in Thunder Bay District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Founding of Oliver Township
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2024
1. The Founding of Oliver Township Marker
Unlike most Ontario Heritage Foundation markers, this one is one-sided.
In the late 1860s the need to develop a local agricultural base to serve the growing population of the Thunder Bay region became apparent, and when the 1873 survey of Oliver Township indicated that it contained good agricultural land, attention focused here. Active efforts were begun to encourage farmers from the region and elsewhere in Ontario to settle on the free grant lands in the township, and within five years some seventy families had moved here. In 1878 to facilitate the construction of badly needed roads two settlers, Robert Hopkins and David Squires, led a movement to establish a local township government. Elections were held on December 30, 1878, and three days later the newly elected township officials were sworn into office.
Erected by The Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture and Recreation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical date for this entry is December 30, 1878.
Location. 48° 24.7′ N, 89° 30.134′ W. Marker is in Murillo, Ontario, in Thunder Bay District. It is on Oliver Road just east of Baxendale Drive, on the right
this page online
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 Superiors 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 Ruperts Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 16 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Centennial of Confederation (here, next to this marker); Oliver Agricultural Society (here, next to this marker); Oliver Daunais 1836-1916 (approx. 7 kilometers away); The Mountain Portage (approx. 9.1 kilometers away); The Kaministikwia Route (approx. 9.2 kilometers away); Union of the North West and Hudson's Bay Companies (approx. 13 kilometers away); The Monument from Norway (approx. 14.4 kilometers away); The Pigeon River Road (approx. 14.9 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Murillo.
Also see . . . Oliver Paipoonge (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Oliver Paipoonge is a township in the Canadian province of Ontario, located directly west of the city of Thunder Bay. The municipality was formed on January 1, 1998, with the amalgamation of the former Township of Oliver and Township of Paipoonge. It contains several communities within its boundaries, including Baird, Carters Corners, Harstone, Kakabeka Falls, Lee, McCluskeys Corners, Millar, Murillo, Rosslyn, Slate River Valley,(Submitted on August 31, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Stanley and Twin City.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 20242. The Founding of Oliver Township MarkerLooking west along Oliver Road; the marker is mounted on the railing on the east side of the cairn.
Murillo contains a post office, a store, a municipal hall, and a Public Library. The village is the location of the government offices for the Municipality of Oliver Paipoonge. Murillo was originally a water stop on the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR). The stop was named after the Spanish painter Bartolomι Estιban Murillo, as the CPR was at that time using the names of painters to name the many new communities springing up along its trans-Canadian line.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2024
3. Oliver Paipoonge Municipal Centre
(formerly the Oliver Township Community Centre)
(formerly the Oliver Township Community Centre)
Looking south from Oliver Road; the marker is on the railing on the east/left side of the cairn.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 546 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 31, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
