Terrace Bay, Ontario
Encyclopedia
Terrace Bay is a township in Thunder Bay District
in northern Ontario
, Canada, located on the north shore of Lake Superior
east of Thunder Bay
along Highway 17. The name originates from a series of lake terraces formed as the water level in Lake Superior lowered following the latest ice age
.
in the 1940s when a pulp and paper mill was established there by the Longlac Pulp & Paper Company, later renamed Kimberly-Clark Forest Products. At the same time, the Aguasabon Generating Station was created by the Ontario Hydro water division, to redirect the northward flowing Long Lake south through the Aguasabon River
system to Lake Superior. The Long Lake diversion which ends at Terrace Bay and when it was opened it boosted Lake Superior water levels by 2.4 inches (6.1 cm), Lake Michigan and Lake Huron by 4.3 inches (10.9 cm), Lake Erie by 3.1 inches (7.9 cm), and Lake Ontario by 2.8 inches (7.1 cm).
On September 1, 1947, Terrace Bay was granted status as an Improvement District. The pulp mill was the lead developer with construction of the community's basic infrastructure. By the end of 1948, Terrace Bay consisted of about 230 houses serviced with sewer, water and electricity but surrounded only by bush as the highway was still not completed through the town. In 1951, the Lakeview subdivision was started, with sewer, water and electrical services provided for well over 100 houses. By December 31, 33 of the 35 new houses were completed and occupied. Other additions to the community were two new churches, 22 bed modern hospital, post office, bank, liquor store, theatre, clothing store and railway station. Construction of the Memorial Recreation Centre was completed in July 1953. The building consisted of an arena, curling club, restaurant, bowling alley, library, offices, 3 meeting rooms and public washrooms. In 1958, the mill converted to chlorine-dioxide bleaching and had sold 63 houses to employees and another 28 houses were privately built. The next year, Terrace Bay became a municipal township.
In 1972, the Kimberly Clark Pulp and Paper Company Ltd. and Kimberly Clark of Canada Ltd. amalgamated. From 1972 to 1977 the population of Terrace Bay increased from 1,755 to 2,299 persons, directly attributed to Kimberly Clark's expansion program. The pulp mill was the lifeblood of the region and in 2005 Kimberly-Clark sold the mill to Neenah Paper Inc who then sold the mill to Buchanan Forestry Products in 2006 and the mill was renamed to Terrace Bay Pulp Inc. The mill operated until it ran into financial hardship and was shut down in 2009. After financial reorganization, it reopened in October 2010 to strong pulp markets.
The Municipality carried out an ambitious plan for growth in 2010/2011 including the downtown revitalization plan, the cultural centre project, and a total rebranding of the Township based on Lake Superior and the new Terrace Bay Lighthouse attraction that was built and Lake Superior. This plan resulted in renewed interest in the Community, job growth, and Terrace Bay being recognized as the Northern Ontario Entrepreneurial Community of the Year 2010/2011 by the Northern Ontario Business Awards.
, Rossport
, Jackfish
and Pays Plat. Named for the town's first physician, Michael McCausland, the present structure was built in 1980 and is situated overlooking the shores of Lake Superior. The McCausland Hospital expanded with the creation of the Wilkes Terrace 22-bed long-term care facility which opened in May 2011. The Aguasabon Medical Clinic is located in the McCausland Hospital and has a full complement of physicians with same day medical service. Upon moving to Terrace Bay and visiting the clinic, new residents are immediately assigned their own family physician.
The town has three elementary schools; Terrace Bay Public School, St. Martins Catholic School, and École Catholique Franco-Terrace. Lake Superior High School accommodates students from surrounding communities.
The towns Recreation Centre holds a hockey arena, outdoor pool, curling rink, fitness centre, bowling alley, and various athletic courts. During the summer months, the Aquasabon Golf Course opens and during the winter months, the Trestle Ridge Ski Hill. The Voyageur Hiking Trail
passes through the community. The Terrace Bay Cultural Centre was built in October 2010 which includes the expanded Terrace Bay Public Library, the Terrace Bay Seniors Activity Centre, and the Michael King Community Hall.
The large majority of businesses, including a grocery store, Pharmacy, Post Office, LCBO, and various restaurants are located on the main street, Simcoe Plaza, which saw a major revitalization effort in 2011. Simcoe Plaza had renovations done to its look as well as landscaping and streetscaping which also saw the construction of a 50 foot lighthouse attraction for visitors to climb and take in views of Lake Superior, the nearby Slate Islands, and the rest of the Municipality.
, now a provincial park, are located in Lake Superior within Terrace Bay's municipal limits. The island features the tallest lighthouse on Lake Superior, the largest known shatter cone
in the world, abandoned gold mines, and wildlife including the largest unthreatened Caribou population in Canada. Visitors can book charters to the Slate Islands by local tourist outfitters.
event known as Terrace Bay's Dragfest. In 1999 it had participation of 187 competitors, which has grown to over 300 in 2010, with spectators now number over 10,000. Most drivers originate from the Thunder Bay area, but the event has attracted participants from Southern Ontario
, Winnipeg
, and Minnesota
.
Over its 10 year history, the race has been financially successful, allowing continued investment into permanent and improved facilities for competitor and spectators alike. Money has also been used to supported local service clubs and charities, with total donations now exceeding $150,000. Major recipients include the Camp Quality, Thunder Bay Regional Hospital, Terrace Bay McCausland Hospital, local fire departments, ambulances, food bank, and animal shelters.
Thunder Bay District
Thunder Bay District is a district and census division in Northwestern Ontario in the Canadian province of Ontario. The district seat is Thunder Bay....
in northern Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada, located on the north shore of Lake Superior
Lake Superior
Lake Superior is the largest of the five traditionally-demarcated Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded to the north by the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of Minnesota, and to the south by the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Michigan. It is the largest freshwater lake in the...
east of Thunder Bay
Thunder Bay
-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...
along Highway 17. The name originates from a series of lake terraces formed as the water level in Lake Superior lowered following the latest ice age
Ice age
An ice age or, more precisely, glacial age, is a generic geological period of long-term reduction in the temperature of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, resulting in the presence or expansion of continental ice sheets, polar ice sheets and alpine glaciers...
.
History
Terrace Bay originated as a company townCompany town
A company town is a town or city in which much or all real estate, buildings , utilities, hospitals, small businesses such as grocery stores and gas stations, and other necessities or luxuries of life within its borders are owned by a single company...
in the 1940s when a pulp and paper mill was established there by the Longlac Pulp & Paper Company, later renamed Kimberly-Clark Forest Products. At the same time, the Aguasabon Generating Station was created by the Ontario Hydro water division, to redirect the northward flowing Long Lake south through the Aguasabon River
Aguasabon River
The Aguasabon River is a river in Thunder Bay District, Ontario, Canada. The river originates at Chorus Lake and empties into Lake Superior near the community of Terrace Bay.The Aguasabon is in length, and plunges down at the Aguasabon Falls...
system to Lake Superior. The Long Lake diversion which ends at Terrace Bay and when it was opened it boosted Lake Superior water levels by 2.4 inches (6.1 cm), Lake Michigan and Lake Huron by 4.3 inches (10.9 cm), Lake Erie by 3.1 inches (7.9 cm), and Lake Ontario by 2.8 inches (7.1 cm).
On September 1, 1947, Terrace Bay was granted status as an Improvement District. The pulp mill was the lead developer with construction of the community's basic infrastructure. By the end of 1948, Terrace Bay consisted of about 230 houses serviced with sewer, water and electricity but surrounded only by bush as the highway was still not completed through the town. In 1951, the Lakeview subdivision was started, with sewer, water and electrical services provided for well over 100 houses. By December 31, 33 of the 35 new houses were completed and occupied. Other additions to the community were two new churches, 22 bed modern hospital, post office, bank, liquor store, theatre, clothing store and railway station. Construction of the Memorial Recreation Centre was completed in July 1953. The building consisted of an arena, curling club, restaurant, bowling alley, library, offices, 3 meeting rooms and public washrooms. In 1958, the mill converted to chlorine-dioxide bleaching and had sold 63 houses to employees and another 28 houses were privately built. The next year, Terrace Bay became a municipal township.
In 1972, the Kimberly Clark Pulp and Paper Company Ltd. and Kimberly Clark of Canada Ltd. amalgamated. From 1972 to 1977 the population of Terrace Bay increased from 1,755 to 2,299 persons, directly attributed to Kimberly Clark's expansion program. The pulp mill was the lifeblood of the region and in 2005 Kimberly-Clark sold the mill to Neenah Paper Inc who then sold the mill to Buchanan Forestry Products in 2006 and the mill was renamed to Terrace Bay Pulp Inc. The mill operated until it ran into financial hardship and was shut down in 2009. After financial reorganization, it reopened in October 2010 to strong pulp markets.
The Municipality carried out an ambitious plan for growth in 2010/2011 including the downtown revitalization plan, the cultural centre project, and a total rebranding of the Township based on Lake Superior and the new Terrace Bay Lighthouse attraction that was built and Lake Superior. This plan resulted in renewed interest in the Community, job growth, and Terrace Bay being recognized as the Northern Ontario Entrepreneurial Community of the Year 2010/2011 by the Northern Ontario Business Awards.
Amenities
Terrace Bay's McCausland Hospital is a modern, fully accredited 45-bed community hospital. It serves a population of approximately 4,000 residents from the communities of Terrace Bay, SchreiberSchreiber, Ontario
Schreiber is a municipal township in the Canadian province of Ontario, located on the northernmost point of Lake Superior along Highway 17. The town, with a population of approximately 900 people, is almost completely located inside the geographic township of Priske, with a small western portion of...
, Rossport
Rossport, Ontario
Rossport is a locality on the north shore of Lake Superior in Thunder Bay District, Northwestern Ontario. A designated place served by a local services board, Rossport had a population of 66 in the Canada 2006 Census, a decrease of 41.1% since 2001.-History:...
, Jackfish
Jackfish, Ontario
Jackfish is a ghost town in northern Ontario, Canada, located on the north shore of Lake Superior east of Terrace Bay.The last spike on the Canadian Pacific Railway track between Montreal and Winnipeg was driven in west of Jackfish on May 16, 1885...
and Pays Plat. Named for the town's first physician, Michael McCausland, the present structure was built in 1980 and is situated overlooking the shores of Lake Superior. The McCausland Hospital expanded with the creation of the Wilkes Terrace 22-bed long-term care facility which opened in May 2011. The Aguasabon Medical Clinic is located in the McCausland Hospital and has a full complement of physicians with same day medical service. Upon moving to Terrace Bay and visiting the clinic, new residents are immediately assigned their own family physician.
The town has three elementary schools; Terrace Bay Public School, St. Martins Catholic School, and École Catholique Franco-Terrace. Lake Superior High School accommodates students from surrounding communities.
The towns Recreation Centre holds a hockey arena, outdoor pool, curling rink, fitness centre, bowling alley, and various athletic courts. During the summer months, the Aquasabon Golf Course opens and during the winter months, the Trestle Ridge Ski Hill. The Voyageur Hiking Trail
Voyageur Hiking Trail
The Voyageur Hiking Trail is a public hiking trail between Sudbury and Thunder Bay in Northern Ontario, Canada. The name honours the early European fur traders of the region who traveled largely by canoe and were known as 'voyageurs’ and ‘coureurs des bois’ The trail is used by all ages and levels...
passes through the community. The Terrace Bay Cultural Centre was built in October 2010 which includes the expanded Terrace Bay Public Library, the Terrace Bay Seniors Activity Centre, and the Michael King Community Hall.
The large majority of businesses, including a grocery store, Pharmacy, Post Office, LCBO, and various restaurants are located on the main street, Simcoe Plaza, which saw a major revitalization effort in 2011. Simcoe Plaza had renovations done to its look as well as landscaping and streetscaping which also saw the construction of a 50 foot lighthouse attraction for visitors to climb and take in views of Lake Superior, the nearby Slate Islands, and the rest of the Municipality.
Demographics
Population trend:- Population in 2006: 1625
- Population in 2001: 1950
- Population in 1996: 2324
- Population in 1991: 2477
Slate Islands
The Slate IslandsSlate Islands (Ontario)
The Slate Islands archipelago is formed of two main islands, five minor islands and numerous islets located in northern Lake Superior, 10 km south of the town of Terrace Bay. The islands were created by a meteorite impact which formed a crater about wide. In 1985, the Ontario government...
, now a provincial park, are located in Lake Superior within Terrace Bay's municipal limits. The island features the tallest lighthouse on Lake Superior, the largest known shatter cone
Shatter cone
Shatter cones are rare geological features that are only known to form in the bedrock beneath meteorite impact craters or underground nuclear explosions...
in the world, abandoned gold mines, and wildlife including the largest unthreatened Caribou population in Canada. Visitors can book charters to the Slate Islands by local tourist outfitters.
Dragfest
In 1999 local car enthusiasts group, Superior Classics Car Club, began the annual three day Drag RacingDrag racing
Drag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete two at a time to be the first to cross a set finish line, from a standing start, in a straight line, over a measured distance, most commonly a ¼-mile straight track....
event known as Terrace Bay's Dragfest. In 1999 it had participation of 187 competitors, which has grown to over 300 in 2010, with spectators now number over 10,000. Most drivers originate from the Thunder Bay area, but the event has attracted participants from Southern Ontario
Southern Ontario
Southern Ontario is a region of the province of Ontario, Canada that lies south of the French River and Algonquin Park. Depending on the inclusion of the Parry Sound and Muskoka districts, its surface area would cover between 14 to 15% of the province. It is the southernmost region of...
, Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
, and Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
.
Over its 10 year history, the race has been financially successful, allowing continued investment into permanent and improved facilities for competitor and spectators alike. Money has also been used to supported local service clubs and charities, with total donations now exceeding $150,000. Major recipients include the Camp Quality, Thunder Bay Regional Hospital, Terrace Bay McCausland Hospital, local fire departments, ambulances, food bank, and animal shelters.