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

Oliver Daunais 1836-1916

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 15, 2024

1. Oliver Daunais 1836-1916 Marker

Inscription.
Near here in 1882, Daunais made his first important discovery, the Rabbit Mountain Silver Mine. One of the best-known prospectors and mining promoters of his day, he was born at St. Ours, Quebec, and came to this region about 1870. Among other silver mines located in the area by Daunais in the 1880s were the Silver Mountain, Beaver, Badger and Porcupine. Though short-lived, they were good producers and greatly encouraged prospecting and investment in the Thunder Bay district. In 1894-95 Daunais staked claims in Lake of the Woods, three of which became small gold mines. “The Silver King” became a prominent resident of Port Arthur and played a leading role in its early development.

Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.

Location. 48° 21.916′ N, 89° 34.011′ W. Marker is in Stanley, Ontario, in Thunder Bay District. It can be reached from the intersection

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of River Road and Provincial Highway 588, on the left when traveling east. The marker is located in a pull-out and wayside on the east side of the bridge that carries Ontario Highway 588 across the Kaministiquia River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stanley ON P7C 5N5, 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 the Great Lakes,

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 16 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kakabeka Falls (approx. 5.5 kilometers away); Centennial of Confederation (approx. 5.5 kilometers away); The Mountain Portage (approx. 5.9 kilometers away); The Kaministikwia Route (approx. 5.9 kilometers away); Oliver Agricultural Society

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 15, 2024

2. Oliver Daunais 1836-1916 Marker

(approx. 7 kilometers away); a different marker also named Centennial of Confederation (approx. 7 kilometers away); The Founding of Oliver Township (approx. 7 kilometers away); The Monument from Norway (approx. 14.8 kilometers away).

More about this marker. Both sides of this marker have the same English inscription.

Also see . . .
1. Nolalu Homesteaders (www.geni.com).

Excerpt: Nolalu is a community about 48 km southwest of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. With the Government of Canada advertising for homesteaders and with the advent of the Port Arthur, Duluth and Western (PeeDee) Railway around the turn of the century, the first Finnish homesteaders along with a few Anglo-Saxon pioneers began to settle in Lybster, Strange, Marks and Gillies townships. Olivier Daunais, "The Silver King" was not strictly a homesteader in the area but played an important part in the early development as a main owner of the Silver Mountain mining operations.

(Submitted on November 29, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Finding Stanley.

Excerpt: Stanley has a long history going back to the mid 1800’s when
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 15, 2024

3. Kaministiquia River Bridge
Looking northwest from near the marker; this bridge carries Ontario Highway 588 across the Kaministiquia River.
prospecting was in full force in the area. Oliver Daunais, the “Silver King” discovered a number of mines to the south and west of Stanley. To service the mines, a road called the Daunais’ Rabbit Mountain Road was built that travelled east-west and south parallel to the Kaministiquia River.

(Submitted on November 29, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

3. Oliver “The Silver King” Daunais (Find A Grave).

Lake Of The Woods Cemetery, Kenora, Kenora District, Ontario, Canada.

(Submitted on November 29, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 26, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 198 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 29, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.