The History of North Bay

North Bay has a rich and vibrant history. This area was initially inhabited by Indigenous peoples, primarily the Anishinaabe and Algonquin tribes, who cared for the region’s abundance of wildlife and natural resources for thousands of years. Later, when European contact was made in the 1600s, the fur trade industry was built on the established routes of the original people who used the waterways as highways to trade goods with other nations.

In the late 1800s, the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway brought about significant growth in the area. The construction of a rail line linking Ottawa and Georgian Bay led to the establishment of North Bay as a major railway hub, connecting the region to other parts of the country. During World War II, North Bay played a significant role as a strategic military site, with the construction of the North Bay Air Base and the Canadian Forces Station providing critical support for Canada’s defense efforts. Today, North Bay is a thriving community that continues to evolve and grow while honoring its rich history and heritage.