Port Hope in Northumberland County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
Farley Mowat
May 12, 1921- May 6, 2014
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 7, 2025
1. Farley Mowat Marker
Born Farley McGill Mowat, in Belleville Ontario, recognized as one of Canada's literary lions and a fervent champion of environmental issues. A graduate of the University of Toronto, Farley is remembered not only as an author and environmentalist but also as a soldier, veteran and philanthropist. He saw military service with Canadian Forces in the European theatre of operations in World War II and was discharged with the rank of Captain in 1945.
Farley published his first book, "People of the Deer" in 1952. Mowat was outraged at the conditions endured by the Inuit living in Northern Canada. The book turned Mowat into a controversial, popular figure.
He was a best-selling and prolific author with forty two titles to his credit with millions of copies in print and published worldwide in 26 languages. He kept generations of children and their parents spellbound by tales of adventures with wolves that were more friendly than people, whales in need of rescue, dogs who refused to cower, owls roosting in the rafters and boats that wouldn't float.
Mowat died on May 6, 2014, less than one week before his 93rd birthday.
this page online
In Farley's book, "The Farfarers", a seafaring people from the British Isles were depicted as having sailed to Arctic Canada in fragile, skin covered, double-ender boats in search of walrus skins over a thousand years ago. After a long season of hunting along the coastal regions of Labrador, Newfoundland and parts of northern Quebec, many of these pre-viking adventurers had to endure a long winter before returning home across the Atlantic.
Some very intriguing archaeological stone structures have been discovered which suggest that they may have supported upside-down boats on curved dry stone walls. The adventurers may have lived in these 'boat-roofed houses' until they could sail back home in the spring.
The monument is a scale model of a boat roofed house constructed with stone and topped by an overturned walrus skinned sail boat. The structure was previously located on private property on Catherine Street in Port Hope. In October 2016, it was ceremoniously dismantled and professionally reassembled
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 7, 2024
2. Farley Mowat Marker
Erected by Municipality of Port Hope.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is May 6, 2014.
Location. 43° 56.986′ N, 78° 17.514′ W. Marker is in Port Hope, Ontario, in Northumberland County. It is on Mill Street South 0.1 kilometers south of Walton Street, on the right. The marker is on the walkway beside the Ganaraska River, behind the boat-roofed House monument. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 44 Mill Street S, Port Hope ON L1A 2S5, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Kawarthas Northumberland Area and in Eastern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, on the Great Lakes, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 7, 2025
3. Farley Mowat Boat-Roofed House Monument
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: History of the Ganaraska Watershed (a few steps from this marker); Rotary Foot Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); Port Hope Cenotaph (about 120 meters away, measured in a direct line); Arthur T.H. Williams MP (about 120 meters away); Cenotaph Plaque (about 120 meters away); Founding of Port Hope (about 120 meters away); 77mm German Field Gun (about 120 meters away); Signor Farini (William Leonard Hunt) 1838-1929 (about 150 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Hope.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 124 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 11, 2025, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
