Fort Frances in Rainy River District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Fort Frances Canal 1878
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 2024
1. Fort Frances Canal 1878 Marker
Constructed 1875-1878, during Alexander Mackenzie's administration, as part of a larger project intended to improve communication with the West, the Fort Frances Canal provided unbroken communication between Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods. In conjunction with land and water stretches of the Dawson Road between Shebandowan and Lake of the Woods, it provided a temporary connection with completed sections of the C.P.R. The importance of the canal diminished when the C.P.R. route was altered to follow a more northerly direction. The nearby waterway facilitated steamship navigation until 1908, when it was incorporated into the adjacent dam and power development.
Erected by Archaeological and Historic Sites Board of Ontario.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1878.
Location. 48° 36.606′ N, 93° 24.647′ W. Marker is in Fort Frances, Ontario, in Rainy River District. It can be reached from Lillie Avenue just south of Yonge Street (Kings Highway) (Provincial Highway 11/71), on
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, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and 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 walking distance of this marker: Old Fort Frances Cemetery Reinterment Site (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Lady Frances Ramsay Simpson (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Lac La Pluie House / La Maison du lac la Pluie (approx. half a kilometer away); Bronko Nagurski (approx. 0.8 kilometers away in the U.S.); Route of the Voyageurs (approx. 0.8 kilometers away in the U.S.); Welcome to Smokey Bear Park (approx. 0.8 kilometers away in the U.S.); Steamboats on the Rainy River / Welcome to Minnesota (approx. 1.1 kilometers away in the U.S.); The Village of Koochiching & International Falls (approx. 1.1 kilometers away in the U.S.). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Frances.
More about this marker. Both sides of this marker have the same English inscription.
Also see . . . Fort Frances Canal (American Canal Society).
Excerpt: Construction started in 1875 on a canal and lock, with 7 feet of water over the sills, at Fort Francis. This would open up navigation on the Rainy River which joined Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods. The construction(Submitted on November 29, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)of the Canadian Pacific Railway led to the abandonment of the work in 1878.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 16, 20242. Fort Frances Canal 1878 MarkerLooking south from the south side of Legion Park; Rainy River is obscured by foliage in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 29, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 28, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 226 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 29, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
