List of historic places in Northern Ontario facts for kids

Northern Ontario is home to many amazing places that tell stories about Canada's past! These special spots are called historic places. They are recognized because they are important to local communities, the province, or even the whole country. Think of them as real-life history books you can visit!

This list shares some of these cool historic places found across Northern Ontario. Places in Greater Sudbury are listed in a separate article.

Algoma District's Historic Gems

The Algoma District has many interesting historic sites, from old lighthouses to important buildings and even a national historic site.

Lighthouses and Railway Stations

• Light Tower (Caribou Island): This light tower stands on Caribou Island, helping ships navigate the waters.

• Former Canadian National Railways Station (Hornepayne): Located in Hornepayne, this old railway station was once a busy hub for trains and travelers.

• Light Tower (Michipicoten Island): Another important light tower, this one is found on Michipicoten Island.
• Algoma Central Engine House (Searchmont): This building in Searchmont was used to house and repair engines for the Algoma Central Railway.

• Canadian Pacific Railway Station (White River): The railway station in White River played a key role in connecting communities.

Historic Buildings in Sault Ste. Marie

Sault Ste. Marie has many buildings that tell tales of its past.

• 34-36 Herrick Street: This building on Herrick Street is recognized for its historical value.

• 143 McGregor Avenue: This home on McGregor Avenue is another historic spot.

• Algonquin Hotel: The Algonquin Hotel on Queen Street East is a significant historic building.

• Barnes-Fawcett Block: This block of buildings on Queen Street is also a designated historic place.

• Bishop Fauquier Memorial Chapel: This chapel on Queen Street East is a beautiful historic site.

• Central United Church: Located on Spring Street, this church is an important part of the city's heritage.

• Clergue Blockhouse: This blockhouse on Queen Street East is a historic military building.

• Coronation Block: Found on Queen Street East, the Coronation Block is a historic commercial building.

• Dawson Block: This historic block is also located on Queen Street East.

• Eastbourne: This historic home on Queen Street East is known as Eastbourne.

• Forest Insect Laboratory: This old laboratory on Queen Street East played a role in studying forest insects.

• Hussey Block: Another historic building on Queen Street East, often linked with the Coronation Block.

• Old Post Office (Sault Ste. Marie Museum): This building on Queen Street East, now the Sault Ste. Marie Museum, was once the city's post office.

• Ontario Provincial Air Service Hangars: These hangars on Church Street were used by the provincial air service.

• Precious Blood Cathedral: This large church on Queen Street East is a significant landmark.

• Rotary Welcome Cairns: These stone structures on Russ Ramsay Way welcome visitors to the city.

• Sault Ste. Marie Cenotaph: This monument on Queen Street East honors those who served in wars.

• Sault Ste. Marie District Courthouse: The courthouse on Queen Street East is an important historic building.

• Upton: This historic property is located at 10 Kensington Terrace.

• Wellington Square Townhouses: These townhouses on Wellington Street East are recognized for their historical significance.

National Historic Sites in Algoma

• Fort St. Joseph National Historic Site of Canada: Located on St. Joseph Island, this fort was an important trading and military post. It played a role in the War of 1812.

• Ermatinger House National Historic Site of Canada: Found in Sault Ste. Marie, this house was built by Charles Oakes Ermatinger, a fur trader, and is one of the oldest stone houses in Ontario.

• North West Company Lock: This historic lock in Sault Ste. Marie was part of an early canal system, helping boats bypass rapids.

• Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site of Canada: This canal in Sault Ste. Marie was a major engineering feat, allowing ships to travel between Lake Superior and Lake Huron. It includes several historic buildings like the office, powerhouse, superintendent's house, and workshop.

• Whitefish Island National Historic Site of Canada: This island in Sault Ste. Marie has been an important gathering place for Indigenous peoples for thousands of years.

Cochrane District's Historic Places

The Cochrane District has historic sites that reflect its past, including Hudson's Bay Company buildings.

• Public Building (Kapuskasing): This building on Circle Street in Kapuskasing is a recognized historic site.
• HBC Staff House (Moose Factory): Located on Front Street in Moose Factory, this was a staff house for the Hudson's Bay Company.

• HBC Worker's House - McLeod House (Moose Factory): This worker's house on Museum Street in Moose Factory is another historic building from the Hudson's Bay Company era.

• HBC Worker's House - Sackabuckiskum House (Moose Factory): Also on Museum Street, this was another home for Hudson's Bay Company workers.

• Moose Factory Buildings National Historic Site of Canada: This site in Moosonee includes several historic buildings that tell the story of the Hudson's Bay Company's presence in the area.

Kenora District's Historic Places

The Kenora District features historic railway stations and an important Indigenous site.

• Kenora Canadian Pacific Railway Station: This railway station on Railway Street in Kenora is a historic landmark.

• Sioux Lookout railway station CNR: Located on Front Street in Sioux Lookout, this Canadian National Railway station is a historic building.

Manitoulin District's Historic Places

Manitoulin Island and its surroundings have several historic lighthouses and an important archaeological site.

• Janet Head Light Tower (Gore Bay): This light tower is located at Janet Head in Gore Bay.

• Light station Tower (Great Duck Island): This light station is found on Great Duck Island.
• Manitowaning Lighttower: Located on Arthur Street in Manitowaning, this is another historic light tower.
• Lighttower (Mississagi Island): This light tower is on Mississagi Island.

• Sheguiandah National Historic Site of Canada: This site in Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands is a very important archaeological site, showing evidence of human activity dating back thousands of years.

Nipissing District's Historic Places

The Nipissing District includes historic railway stations and a famous provincial park.

• Canadian National Railway Station (North Bay): This historic railway station is located on Second Avenue West in North Bay.
• North Bay CPR Station: Another historic railway station in North Bay, found on Ferguson Street.
• Power Cavern and Control Building (North Bay): This unique site is part of the Canadian Air Defence Sector Complex in North Bay.
• Algonquin Provincial Park National Historic Site of Canada: This famous park is recognized for its natural beauty and its role in Canadian conservation history.

Rainy River District's Historic Places

The Rainy River District has historic buildings and important Indigenous heritage sites.

• Federal Building (Fort Frances): This building on Scott Street in Fort Frances is a historic federal building.
• Former Canadian National Railway Station (Fort Frances): This old railway station in Fort Frances is located on 4th Street West.

• Fort St. Pierre National Historic Site of Canada: Located at Point Park in Fort Frances, this site marks the location of an old French fur trading post.
• Kay-Nah-Chi-Wah-Nung National Historic Site of Canada: This very important site in Morley (Stratton) is known for its ancient burial mounds and tells the story of Indigenous peoples in the Rainy River area.

Sudbury District's Historic Places

The Sudbury District, outside of Greater Sudbury, has historic railway stations and lighthouses.

• Canadian Pacific Railway Station (Cartier): This railway station on Spencer Avenue in Cartier is a historic landmark.

• Killarney Lighthouse: This lighthouse is located in Killarney.

• Killarney Northwest Lighthouse: Another lighthouse in Killarney, found on the southern tip of Partridge Island.

Thunder Bay District's Historic Places

The Thunder Bay District is home to various historic sites, including railway stations, industrial sites, and cultural landmarks.

• VIA Rail/Canadian National Railway Station (Greenstone): This railway station in Nakina (Greenstone) is a historic transportation hub.

• Canadian Pacific Railway Station (Schreiber): This historic railway station is located on Brunswick Street in Schreiber.

• Armoury (Thunder Bay): This historic armoury building is located on Park Avenue in Thunder Bay.
• Canadian Car & Foundry National Historic Site of Canada (Thunder Bay): This site on Montreal Street in Thunder Bay recognizes the importance of a major industrial complex that built railway cars and aircraft.

• Finnish Labour Temple National Historic Site of Canada (Thunder Bay): This building on Bay Street in Thunder Bay was an important center for the Finnish community and labor movement.

• Revenue Canada Building (Thunder Bay): This historic building on May Street North in Thunder Bay was used by Revenue Canada.

• Thunder Bay Tourist Pagoda National Historic Site of Canada: This unique pagoda-style building on Arthur Street in Thunder Bay has served as a tourist information center for many years.

• Union Station (Canadian Pacific Railway Station) (Thunder Bay): This historic railway station on Syndicate Avenue South in Thunder Bay was a major transportation point.

• Pic River Site National Historic Site of Canada: This site in Pic River 50 is an important archaeological area.
• Cummins Pre-contact Site National Historic Site of Canada (Thunder Bay): Located near Cummins Pond in Thunder Bay, this site shows evidence of very early human activity in the area.
• Lamb Island Lighthouse: This lighthouse is located on Lamb Island in Lake Huron, east of Thunder Bay.
• Lighttower (Davieaux Island): This light tower is on the eastern tip of Davieaux Island in Lake Superior.
• Lightstation: Tower (Battle Island): This light station is located on Battle Island in Lake Superior.

Timiskaming District's Historic Places

The Timiskaming District is known for its mining history and related sites.

• Cobalt Mining District National Historic Site of Canada: This entire district in Cobalt is recognized for its rich silver mining history, which was very important to Canada's economy.

• Cobalt O.N.R. Station: This railway station on Station Road in Cobalt was important for the mining industry.

• Sir Harry Oakes Chateau (Kirkland Lake): This chateau on Chateau Drive in Kirkland Lake was the home of Sir Harry Oakes, a famous mining entrepreneur. It is now a museum.

Images for kids

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  The Bishop Fauquier Memorial Chapel Cemetery.

• Buchan House.jpg

  The Buchan House in Sault Ste. Marie.

• Public Building (Kapuskasing).jpg

  The Public Building in Kapuskasing.

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  The HBC Worker's House - McLeod House in Moose Factory.

• HBC Worker's House - Turner House.jpg

  The HBC Worker's House - Turner House in Moose Factory.

• Federal Building (Fort Frances).jpg

  The Federal Building in Fort Frances.

• Killarney Northwest Lighthouse.jpg

  The Killarney Northwest Lighthouse.

• Armoury (Thunder Bay).jpg

  The Armoury in Thunder Bay.

• Federal Building (Thunder Bay).jpg

  The Federal Building in Thunder Bay.

• Lamb Island Lighthouse.jpg

  The Lamb Island Lighthouse.

• Lighttower (Davieaux Island).jpg

  The Lighttower on Davieaux Island.

• Lightstation: Tower (Battle Island).jpg

  The Lightstation Tower on Battle Island.

• Canadian National Railway Station (North Bay).jpg

  The Canadian National Railway Station in North Bay.

• North Bay CNR Station.jpg

  The North Bay CNR Station.

• North Bay CPR Station.jpg

  The North Bay CPR Station.

• Power Cavern and Control Building.jpg

  The Power Cavern and Control Building in North Bay.