Thunder Bay in Thunder Bay District, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Monument from Norway
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 15, 2024
1. The Monument from Norway Marker (original)
[original]
The “Saga of the Stone” began and ended with the efforts of Thunder Bay pioneer and park founder Sterling Lysnes. His efforts brought the Larvikite Stone from Norway to Thunder Bay to celebrate the contribution of those pioneers involved and assisting in the sport of ski jumping.
Resulting from a news item for names of 1910 era photographs and history can be seen at Thunder Bay Sports Hall of Fame.
On August 20, 1996, Mr. Lysnes was granted a private audience with His Majesty King Harold V. He personally informed the King of this project that began in 1981. With monument dedication on July 22, 1991.
Grateful appreciation is extended to all donors and volunteers.
Mange takk.
Date: July 21, 1997
[newer version]
This larvikite stone, a gift from Norway, pays tribute to those Norwegian Canadians who pioneered the sport of ski-jumping in this area. This unique placement in Norway Park is a tribute to all, including the founders of Little Norway, the mountain purchased by Knute and Thor Hansen that began the dream now known as “Big Thunder.” They did it in their inimitable Norsk way.
Topics. This historical
this page online
Location. 48° 18.406′ N, 89° 23.249′ W. Marker is in Thunder Bay, Ontario, in Thunder Bay District. It is on Little Norway Road just south of Provincial Highway 61, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5670 Little Norway Road, Thunder Bay ON P7C 4Y4, 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 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 14 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Pigeon River Road (approx. 1.1 kilometers away); Union of the North West and Hudson's Bay Companies (approx.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 15, 2024
2. The Monument from Norway Marker (newer version)
Also see . . .
1. Big Thunder Ski Jumping Center (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: Big Thunder Ski Jumping Centre was a twin ski jumping hill located in Thunder Bay in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. It constitutes part of Big Thunder National Training Centre. The first hills were built by Knute and Thor Hansen and opened in 1963. They were originally known as Lille Norway Ski Area, then Mt. Norway Ski Area, and Sundance Northwest Resort before taking the current name. The large and normal hills were built in 1974 and the venue was taken over by the provincial government in 1985. The hills hosted 29 FIS Ski Jumping World Cup and 50 Canadian Ski Jumping Championships tournaments(Submitted on May 19, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)between 1975 and 1995, climaxing with the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships 1995.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 15, 20243. The Monument from NorwayThe newer version of the marker is in the center, the original is on the right, and the Park Founders tribute is on the left.
2. Twenty years after Nordic Games, Big Thunder remains aging and forgotten relic.
(By Matt Vis, 3/9/2015) Excerpt: In 1995 the eyes of the world were on the Big Thunder National Training Centre. For only the second time the FIS World Nordic Ski Championships were being held outside of Europe, as the world’s best skiers converged just outside Thunder Bay for the 10-day competition. Twenty years later Big Thunder is largely forgotten, frozen in time as the once state-of-the-art facility is left to deteriorate behind a locked gate.(Submitted on May 19, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
The facility, which includes ski hill and cross-country trails, was first opened in 1963 and was privately run until 1985 when it was purchased by the Ontario government. It received significant upgrades in the early 1990s to prepare for hosting the world championships. The decision to close the facility was made in 1995 after the Mike Harris Progressive Conservatives were elected to power.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 15, 2024
4. Park Founders Tribute
for devotion to a good cause
Park Founders
Irene & Sterling Lysnes
Kjell & Randi
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 15, 2024
5. The Monument from Norway
The monument is centered behind 5 flags of the region.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 15, 2024
6. The Monument from Norway Park Sign
Looking south from Ontario Highway 61. The monument is the centerpiece of the small park behind the sign. • • •
Norway’s Monument The Larvikite Stone a gift from the Norwegian People to Thunder Bay to commemorate Norwegian Canadians who pioneered ski jumping in Canada.
Norway’s Monument
Credits. This page was last revised on May 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 264 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on May 19, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
