The area known as South Temiskaming is a vital and thriving group of communities along the scenic western shore of Lake Temiskaming. The District of Temiskaming shares its border with the Province of Quebec and consequently the district is a diverse mix of both French and English culture. We believe our communities have something for everyone. They are rich in pioneer history; we are home to one of Canada’s legendary frontier mining camps. And for those looking for the comforts of civilizations, we offer a wide range of retail and commercial services. Our events, festivals and attractions will entertain your whole family while highlighting the treasures of Temiskaming.
The Town of Earlton or Armstrong Township, is located in the area historically referred to as Temiskaming’s “Clay Belt” and is known for a strong agricultural presence and as the dairy centre of the north. Located at the centre of the most fertile stretch of agriculture property in the north, Earlton has a population of approximately 1200 is the location of the Earlton-Timiskaming Regional Airport. Earlton is also host to numerous manufacturing industries and specialized service companies. Earlton was the host of the 2009 Temiskaming International Plowing Match and Rural Expo which attracted thousands of visitors to the area. The City of Temiskaming Shores (formerly New Liskeard, Haileybury, and Dymond) consists of a population of about 10,500 people. Temiskaming Shores is the commercial hub of a huge agricultural, forestry and mining region. The strong agricultural base has allowed the area’s economy to avoid the boom and bust cycle of other northern communities that relied on the mining and forestry industries. Most of the city’s agriculture is done in the surrounding townships such as Armstrong, Casey, Harley, Hudson and Kerns. The land in this valley area is regarded as some of the most fertile land in the South Temiskaming region. The citizens of Temiskaming Shores all share the typical friendly attitude so common to northerners along with a love for the outdoor life. Aside from being the key retail centre in the region, Temiskaming Shores has much to offer in the way of things to do. The Temiskaming Shores area is rich in fascinating history. Many visitors are amazed to find that Haileybury once had a streetcar service as well as being home to the man who authored the world famous Hardy Boys adventure stories – Leslie McFarlane – who wrote under the name Franklin W. Dixon. Haileybury’s origins can be traced to the mining industry. The mining big-wigs, not wanting to live right in the mining town, built beautiful homes close to the lake. Haileybury is also home to the Haileybury Heritage Museum and Historic Rockwalk Park.
Cobalt and area history reads like a romance. The discovery of a rich vein of silver essentially paved Canada’s centre of commerce; Bay Street in Toronto. It was a discovery that heralded a new era in mining and development, with tonnes of silver extracted from the camp. A saying at the time was “Toronto, that’s just the place you go to get the train to Cobalt.” The original Cobalt silver mining camp included the surrounding area of the Townships of Coleman, Bucke, Lorrain and Gillies Limit. The fortunes mined from Cobalt silver far exceeded those made from Klondike gold. James McKinley and Ernest Darragh, railway tie contractors, exposed to the world what had been lying in wait: native silver. Scarce beneath the vegetation, lay an absolute fortune, hard and fast within the Canadian Shield. Until it was chipped at, drilled, carved away and extracted from the belly of the Earth. That was in 1903. The years following the discovery of silver marked a period of prosperity for the entire region, central to and radiating from Cobalt. Cobalt’s growth compelled the expansion of the railways that opened up Northern Ontario, laying track straight to the discovery of gold in Kirkland Lake and Timmins. Cobalt produced well over a recorded 460 million ounces of silver. Its total worth is estimated at US $2 billion dollars in today’s prices. Cobalt saw the operation of over 120 mines in its heyday. With the air of a “wild west” town, fortune-seekers arrived in droves at the train station in Cobalt. The town was teeming with excitement at every corner. The Royal Stock Exchange, a first-class vaudevillian theatre with acts straight from Broadway, a streetcar line, a national league hockey team, and one of the first two District Headquarters for the Ontario Provincial Police – all of this in Cobalt. Investors, dreamers, shopkeepers and workers: they built this town. The fortunes of mine-owners and entrepreneurs bore legacies such as Castle Loma, in Toronto, and funds for the purchase of a hockey team that would eventually become one of the NHL’s ‘original six’ – the Montreal Canadiens. The workers played a vital role in establishing modern standards of safety and worker’s compensation. By the 1930s, the silver had nearly run out, and like all boomtowns, one by one and then in droves, as they had come, mine owners and labourers packed up and left. But Cobalt means more than just sepia-toned memories. Unlike other famous mining boom towns, Cobalt was never left uninhabited. Cobalt celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2006. The Cobalt silver camp is now a protected Canadian government Heritage District. The community boasts the title of “Most Historic Town in Ontario”. The incredible, almost romantic, experiences have not been lain to ashes and silver dust. From those ashes sprang forth new life, new growth and new opportunity. From here, we invite you to explore Historic Cobalt. It’s been revitalized. In this setting, explore its illustrious past. It is a truly unique tourism destination. It is the cradle of Canadian mining. It is Canadian spirit, pure and true. It is Cobalt spirit. Come for a day – discover a century.
Coleman Township has an impressive range of historically and culturally unique characteristics. The forest expanse offers a myriad of photographic opportunities to capture the changing of the leaves. You can ski the trails at the Nordic Ski Club in the winter and mountain bike them in summer, and in the spring ATV riders can be seen stirring up the muddy trails that run through the township. And with a summer time full of peaceful swimming, canoeing, fishing and boating, Coleman is an all-seasons destination.
Latchford is the gateway to Ontario’s Wilderness Region and a great place to reside or to start your vacation. In addition to being the Hiking Trailhead of the North, and having a magnifient beach, great recreation facilities and waterfront camping facilities at Bay Lake Campground, Latchford is also the home of W.J.B. Greenwood Provincial Park. Latchford boasts a rich history which comes to life in many tourist attractions such as the House of Memories Museum and the Ontario Logger’s Hall of Fame. Latchford is also home to the World’s Shortest Covered bridge and the Latchford Dam, one of the areas’ most scenic man-made spots beside the Sgt. Aubrey Cosens VC Memorial Bridge.
The Township of James or Elk Lake is situated at the point where the Bear Creek (Makobe River) flows into the Montreal River, offering beautiful scenery at all times of the year. The total population in the fall of 2006 was 463 people. Elk Lake boasts a significant number of tourist camps and lodges offering excellent packages for the outdoor sports and nature enthusiast including the popular Elk Lake Urban Classic Golf Tournament. Amidst town, the “great outdoors” beckons residents and visitors alike. Recreational opportunities are limitless. Hiking, skiing, boating, swimming, fishing, hunting and snowmobiling are activities available in abundance. Elk Lake’s economy is driven by a sustainable forest industry. At one time the town’s survival was threatened by unsustainable harvest levels and a land base that was shrinking because of the addition of protected areas. Elk Lake has since embraced the concepts of sustainable forest management; residents have created a bright future for the town and surrounding areas. Elk Lake has become a preeminent example of a working community forest.
