Logging operations began locally in 1879 when demand for ties and lumber came with the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in the area. As many as seven mills operated along the Rat Portage-Keewatin shore lines at one time employing 400 to . . . — — Map (db m245199) HM
Commemorating the lifelong services to this town and district of Dr. W. J. Gunne 1859-1950 As C.P.R. Medical Officer and General Practitioner his splendid life and untiring work were generously devoted to humanity and progress in our . . . — — Map (db m245385) HM
Twenty year old Jacques de Noyon is believed to have been the first white man to reach the Lake of the Woods. The year — 1688. In 1717 De la Noue took the same route, up the Kaministiquia River, following a chain of lakes and streams to Rainy . . . — — Map (db m245138) HM
Created by Dan Sawatzky of Chemainus, British Columbia, the mural is titled after a rowing term, “Riding the Flame”, which means the Herculean effort made by the rowers to propel their boats over the finish line in a competition. Featured in the . . . — — Map (db m245303) HM
This mural was one of the first to be sponsored by a local businessman, the owner of this hotel. It shows a gentleman’s bar at the turn of the century, with woodcarving, elaborate glassware & formally dressed bartenders. Two players enjoy a card . . . — — Map (db m245377) HM
Reception of the Marquis of Lorne, August 5, 1881 at the Lake of the Woods, Rat Portage Most of the 500-plus inhabitants of Rat Portage, including older Indians and French-Canadian voyageurs, waited along the waterfront behind today's Library, . . . — — Map (db m245165) HM
On July 1, 1936, Premier Mitchell F. Hepburn opened the highway between Kenora and Fort Frances and named it the "HEENAN HIGHWAY" in recognition of the public service given by The Honourable Peter Heenan to the Kenora-Rainy River District. Born in . . . — — Map (db m215896) HM
World Of Sport — Kenora Thistles Win Stanley Cup The story roots in the early 1900's boom + bust expanding Northern America resource economy. Hockey was serious entertainment; fast and furious. Names like Roxy Beaudro, Bill . . . — — Map (db m245000) HM
This was early frontier Kenora/Keewatin, and was named by the Ojibway people for the many muskrats inhabiting these waters. Venturing into this area were a number of fur traders employed by the Northwest Company and the Hudson’s Bay Company. They . . . — — Map (db m244996) HM
On Old Fort Island a half mile north of here, the Hudson's Bay Company erected a stockaded fur trading post about 1836. This was the first known European structure within present Kenora. In 1861 the post was moved to the mainland, where it formed . . . — — Map (db m106495) HM
Rat Portage (now Kenora) Rowing Club was founded in 1890. Its headquarters was built in 1892 on the current site of the Bank of Nova Scotia. Two of its most prominent members are portrayed here against the setting of the Rowing Club and . . . — — Map (db m245320) HM
Born at St. Sulpice, Quebec, and ordained in 1849, Father Lacombe took up mission work at Fort Edmonton in 1852. The following year he founded Ste. Anne, first of several Oblate missions he established in what is now Alberta. He won the confidence . . . — — Map (db m106498) HM
Created by Mike Svob of Coquitlam, British Columbia, the mural depicts the symbol of Canadian unification after confederation. The Canadian Pacific Railroad which was called “The National Dream” enabled all Canadians to travel from coast to coast . . . — — Map (db m245334) HM
In September, 1883 an event unique in Canadian political history occurred in Rat Portage. The origin of the story took place thirteen years earlier when both Ontario and Manitoba claimed Rat Portage as part of their territory. Manitoba claimed all . . . — — Map (db m244999) HM
The full name given in the charter is: “The Governor and Company of Adventurers of England, Trading into Hudson Bay”. The charter, granted by King Charles on May 2nd, 1670, gave the company “The Whole Trade of All Those Seas, Streights, and Bays, . . . — — Map (db m244997) HM
Who Was James McMillan?The namesake of the James McMillan tug boat — Mr. James A. McMillan — was a popular logging superintendent with the Ontario-Minnesota Pulp and Paper Company who died unexpectedly in 1942. McMillan was well . . . — — Map (db m245200) HM
Painted by Frank Lewis of Victoria, British Columbia, the painting features the parade held in Rat Portage, (Kenora) in 1897 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s 60th year on the throne. The Rat Portage Bicycle Club would have come down to watch the . . . — — Map (db m244995) HM
In January 1907, a hockey team from Kenora, comprising E. Giroux (goal), A.H. Ross (point), S.I. Griffis (cover point), T. Hooper (rover), W. McGimsie (centre), R. Beaudro (right wing) and T. Phillips (captain and left wing), defeated the Montreal . . . — — Map (db m199978) HM
Created by Joyce Kamikura of Richmond, British Columbia, the painting features one of the major boat manufacturing companies on the Lake of the Woods and was a landmark on the Kenora waterfront until the late 1960’s. The Clipper was powered by a . . . — — Map (db m245233) HM
In August, 1870, a force of British regulars and Canadian militia comprising some 1,200 men commanded by Colonel Garnet Wolseley, arrived in this area en route to the Red River to establish Canadian authority within the present province of . . . — — Map (db m106494) HM
Main Street, Rat Portage in 1870 was little more than a collection of buildings on the edge of the Lake. Frank Gardner's business establishment is clearly identified; a pioneer who was active for a further 65 years. Lower photo, taken in 1880 . . . — — Map (db m245198) HM
By Water Since Explorer Days By Rail Since 1882 By Road Since 1932 The Keenora: Built in Kenora in 1897, it was the largest steamer ever to operate on Lake of the Woods. It was 128 feet long with a beam of 28 feet. It’s 22 staterooms could . . . — — Map (db m244998) HM
Painted by Alan Wylie of Fort Langley, British Columbia, the mural is a depiction of fifteen different outdoor activities which were and are a part of the leisure life of The Lake of the Woods area. Although some of the sports are no longer . . . — — Map (db m245383) HM
