North Bay is a city in northern Ontario, Canada on the shore of Lake Nipissing. As of 2001, the population was 52,771 people. The area was 314.92 square kilometres.
The area was first explored by Samuel de Champlain.
In 1882, John Ferguson decided that the north bay of Lake Nipissing was a promising spot for settlement. North Bay was incorporated as a town in 1891. The first mayor was John Bourke .
The town began to prosper due to the presence of three railway companies and a strong lumber industry. In 1919, John Ferguson was elected mayor of North Bay and continued to serve as mayor until 1922. North Bay was incorporated as a city in August 1925. The Dionne Quintuplets were born on the outskirts of North Bay in 1934. In January 1968 the City of North Bay amalgamated with West Ferris and Widdifield townships.
North Bay, critically situated at the junctions of Highway 11 and Highway 17, remains a major transportation centre for Northern Ontario. It is the southern terminus of the Ontario Northland Railway, and is served by the Jack Garland Airport. It is also the site of CFB North Bay, a North American Aerospace Defense Command control center and a Canadian version of the famous Cheyenne Mountain base in Colorado.
Prominent North Bay natives include comic actor Scott Thompson, entertainer Jaymz Bee, politician Mike Harris, inventor Troy Hurtubise, world downhill alpine ski champion Kate Pace-Lindsay , world champion kick-boxer Chantal Nadon , NHL ice hockey player Billy Coutu.
Roy Thompson, 1st Baron Thomson of Fleet, started his empire in North Bay in 1931 with the purchase of an AM radio station, CFCH, and moving it to North Bay. Thompson Park in North Bay is named in his honour.
It is the home of Nipissing University, founded in 1992, and of Canadore College, founded in 1967.
Community Profile (Based on 2001 Census):
Population in 2001: 52,771
Land area (square km): 314.92
Median total income of persons 15 years of age and over ($): 20,802
Median family income ($) All census families: 53,668
Average value of dwelling ($): 135,852
% of the population with a university certificate, diploma or degree: 50.7
Communities
- Birch Haven
- Camp Champlain
- Champlain Park
- Cooks Mills
- Feronia
- Ferris
- Hornell Heights
- Lounsbury
- Marshall Park
- Nipissing Junction
- North Bay
- Redbridge
- Sunset Park
- Thorncliff
- Trout Mills
- Widdifield
External links
Last updated: 05-21-2005 05:33:09
