Fort Frances
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| Fort Frances | |||
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| Town (single-tier) | |||
| Town of Fort Frances | |||
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| Nickname(s): The Fort | |||
| Motto: Industry and perseverance (?-2014) Boundless (2014-present) |
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 Fort Frances
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| Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. | |||
| Country |  Canada |
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| Province |  Ontario |
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| District | Rainy River | ||
| Incorporated | 1903 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | Roy Avis | ||
| • Federal riding | Thunder Bay—Rainy River | ||
| • Prov. riding | Kenora—Rainy River | ||
| Area[1] | |||
| • Land | 26.85 km2 (10.37 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2011)[1] | |||
| • Total | 7,952 | ||
| • Density | 301.8/km2 (782/sq mi) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Fort Francesian | ||
| Time zone | CST (UTC−6) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC−5) | ||
| Postal code | P9A | ||
| Area code(s) | 807 | ||
| Website | www.fort-frances.com | ||
Fort Frances is a town in, and the seat of, Rainy River District in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. The population as of the 2011 census was 7,952. Fort Frances is a popular fishing destination, it hosts the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship annually.
Located on the international border with the United States where Rainy Lake narrows to become Rainy River, it is connected to International Falls, Minnesota, by the Fort Frances–International Falls International Bridge. The town is the third largest community of Northwestern Ontario after Thunder Bay and Kenora, the town offers many shopping and dining outlets. The Fort Frances Mill was formerly the main employer and industry in the town until its closure in January 2014.
Contents
History
This was the first European settlement west of Lake Superior; it was established by French Canadian Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, sieur de La Vérendrye, first commander of the western district. In 1731 he built Fort Saint Pierre near this spot as support for the fur trade with native peoples. In 1732 his expedition built Fort Saint Charles on Magnuson Island on the west side of Lake of the Woods. After some time, Fort St. Pierre fell out of use.[2]
In 1817, following the War of 1812 and redefinition of borders between Canada and the United States, the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) built a fort here. In 1830 HBC Chief Factor John Dugald Cameron[3] named the fur trading post after Frances Ramsay Simpson, the 18 year old daughter of a London merchant,[4] who had married earlier that year in London, George Simpson, Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company, who would visit the fort many times. In 1841 she became Lady Simpson after George Simpson was knighted, and she died in 1853 at Lachine, Quebec. [5]
Incorporated in 1903, the town held a big centennial celebration in 2003.
The main employer was a pulp and paper mill established in the early 1900s. It had numerous owners over the years, notably Edward Wellington Backus. Now owned by Resolute Forest Products, the mill employed about 700 persons until its closure in 2014.
New Gold, a mining company, is working on creating a mine around Fort Frances which will employ many people that used to work at the Fort Frances Mill.
On June 25, 1946, the town was struck by a tornado which caused major damage. This tornado struck a week after the deadly Windsor tornado.
On August 25, 2013, the town hosted the final pitstop in the Kraft Celebration Tour. They received the most votes out of all 20 communities
On January 14, 2014, Resolute Forest Products announced that it planned to stop operations of the final paper machine and close out its operations in Fort Frances by the end of the month.
On December 13, 2014, Tim Horton's filmed a commercial in Fort Frances. The commercial, which dubs Fort Frances "one of the coldest places in Canada", was shot at the local Tim Horton's. In the days leading up to the filming, yarn was seen covering trees, benches, etc. Workers had spent the night covering the interior of the restaurant with yarn and building a giant toque on the roof. For the day, the coffee was free.
In August of 2015 the Seven Generations Education Institute hosted the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium's (WINHEC) Annual General Meeting at the Nanicost Grounds for members attending from all over the world.
Transportation
There are three airports in the area, one in the United States. The two local airports are for general aviation and other a privately owned floatplane base.
Fort Frances Municipal Airport is served by only one airline, Bearskin Airlines with flights to and from Kenora, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, and Dryden.
Ontario Highway 11 and Ontario Highway 71 are two major roads in Fort Frances. Both are part of the Trans-Canada Highway and the latter ends in Fort Frances. The town is connected to Kenora via Highway 71, while Highway 11 provides connections to Devlin, Emo, and Rainy River to the west, and Atikokan to the east.
Canadian National Railway travels into Fort Frances with freight traffic only and travels across the International Bridge into the US.
Train, truck and car traffic to and from the United States is via the Fort Frances-International Falls International Bridge over the Rainy River.
Fort Frances Transit operated until 1996 and Fort Frances Handi-Van Transit is a provincial funded service run by the Town of Fort Frances. Caribou Coach Transportation Company Incorporated runs a bus route to and from Thunder Bay. This route was once served by Greyhound Canada.
Climate
Fort Frances has a relatively extreme humid continental climate with bitterly cold winters and temperate summers. Temperatures beyond 34°C has been measured in all five late spring and summer months. Summer highs are comparable to Paris and the Los Angeles Basin coastline in California, whereas winter lows on average resemble southern Siberia and polar subarctic inland Scandinavia.
| Climate data for Fort Frances (1981−2010) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 10.0 (50) |
13.0 (55.4) |
24.4 (75.9) |
31.7 (89.1) |
35.0 (95) |
40.0 (104) |
42.2 (108) |
35.6 (96.1) |
34.4 (93.9) |
31.1 (88) |
22.8 (73) |
13.9 (57) |
42.2 (108) |
| Average high °C (°F) | −9.5 (14.9) |
−5.3 (22.5) |
1.1 (34) |
10.5 (50.9) |
18.0 (64.4) |
22.6 (72.7) |
25.3 (77.5) |
24.0 (75.2) |
18.3 (64.9) |
10.2 (50.4) |
0.5 (32.9) |
−6.8 (19.8) |
9.1 (48.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −15.3 (4.5) |
−11.4 (11.5) |
−4.8 (23.4) |
4.0 (39.2) |
11.2 (52.2) |
16.3 (61.3) |
18.9 (66) |
17.7 (63.9) |
12.5 (54.5) |
5.2 (41.4) |
−3.6 (25.5) |
−11.6 (11.1) |
3.3 (37.9) |
| Average low °C (°F) | −21.0 (−5.8) |
−17.4 (0.7) |
−10.6 (12.9) |
−2.5 (27.5) |
4.4 (39.9) |
9.9 (49.8) |
12.5 (54.5) |
11.3 (52.3) |
6.7 (44.1) |
0.1 (32.2) |
−7.6 (18.3) |
−16.5 (2.3) |
−2.6 (27.3) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −45.0 (−49) |
−45.5 (−49.9) |
−37.2 (−35) |
−28.5 (−19.3) |
−11.1 (12) |
−5.0 (23) |
0.6 (33.1) |
−4.0 (24.8) |
−7.8 (18) |
−16.7 (1.9) |
−38.0 (−36.4) |
−42.0 (−43.6) |
−45.5 (−49.9) |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 34.7 (1.366) |
21.9 (0.862) |
26.3 (1.035) |
41.2 (1.622) |
77.7 (3.059) |
119.0 (4.685) |
96.7 (3.807) |
91.6 (3.606) |
82.9 (3.264) |
56.5 (2.224) |
46.0 (1.811) |
31.9 (1.256) |
726.3 (28.594) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.0 (0) |
2.1 (0.083) |
12.1 (0.476) |
30.9 (1.217) |
77.4 (3.047) |
119.0 (4.685) |
96.7 (3.807) |
91.6 (3.606) |
82.6 (3.252) |
53.3 (2.098) |
16.4 (0.646) |
2.7 (0.106) |
584.7 (23.02) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 34.7 (13.66) |
19.8 (7.8) |
14.2 (5.59) |
10.3 (4.06) |
0.25 (0.098) |
0.0 (0) |
0.0 (0) |
0.0 (0) |
0.31 (0.122) |
3.3 (1.3) |
29.7 (11.69) |
29.2 (11.5) |
141.6 (55.75) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 8.1 | 6.4 | 6.1 | 7.3 | 13.4 | 13.3 | 12.9 | 11.7 | 12.6 | 11.6 | 8.1 | 8.0 | 119.4 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.0 | 0.64 | 2.0 | 6.0 | 13.4 | 13.3 | 12.9 | 11.7 | 12.6 | 10.5 | 2.5 | 0.58 | 85.9 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 8.1 | 6.0 | 4.2 | 2.0 | 0.12 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.08 | 1.5 | 6.2 | 7.5 | 35.6 |
| Source: Environment Canada[6][7] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
| Census | Population |
|---|---|
| 1901 | 697 |
| 1911 | 1,611 |
| 1921 | 3,109 |
| 1931 | 5,470 |
| 1941 | 5,849 |
| 1951 | 8,038 |
| 1961 | 9,481 |
| 1971 | 9,947 |
| 1981 | 8,906 |
| 1991 | 8,891 |
| 1996 | 8,790 |
| 2001 | 8,315 |
| 2006 | 8,103 |
| 2011 | 7,952 |
Fort Frances had a population of 7,952 people in 2011, which was a decrease of 1.9% from the 2006 census count. The median household income in 2005 for Fort Frances was $54,859, which is below the Ontario provincial average of $60,455.[1]
The town's ethnic makeup is 82% European Canadian, 17% Aboriginal Canadian and 1% Other (Including Black Canadian and South Asian Canadian)
Coat of arms
The city coat of arms features a bull moose; maple leaves; a "Magneto", representative of electricity (industry); two men in a canoe; a white pine tree; and the motto "Industry and Perseverance."
Media
Newspapers
- Fort Frances Times - Weekly
- Fort Frances Living - Weekly
- Fort Frances Today - Weekly
- West End Weekly - Weekly
Online media
- NWO Update
- Fort Frances Times Online
- Downtown Fort Frances on the Great Canadian Main Street Facebook page
Television stations
The only local television channel serving Fort Frances is the Shaw TV community channel on Shaw Cable channel 10.
There are no local broadcast outlets or repeaters serving Fort Frances; Shaw Cable carries CBWT-DT (CBC), CBWFT-DT (Radio-Canada) and CKY-DT (CTV) from Winnipeg, CJBN-TV (Global) from Kenora, CITV-DT (Global) from Edmonton, and TVO, plus CITY-DT (City), CHCH-DT (independent), CFTM-DT (TVA, live feed) and TFO.
United States network programming on Shaw TV comes from Detroit (WDIV-TV, WXYZ-TV, WWJ-TV, and WTVS) and Rochester (WUHF); stations from the Duluth television market are not available on cable, though they are available over-the-air from repeaters in International Falls.
Radio stations
- FM 89.1 - CKSB-9-FM (Ici Radio-Canada Première, repeats CKSB-10-FM, Saint Boniface, Manitoba)
- FM 90.5 - CBQQ-FM (CBC Radio One, repeats CBQT-FM, Thunder Bay)
- FM 93.1 - CFOB-FM, 93.1 The Border FM hot adult contemporary
Another radio station, CKWO FM 92.3, was licensed to the neighbouring Couchiching First Nation. The station closed and went silent in 2007.
Education
Elementary and secondary schools
Rainy River District School Board
- Fort Frances High School
- Robert Moore School
- JW Walker School
Northwest Catholic District School Board
- St Michael's School
- St Francis School
Post-secondary schools
- Confederation College
- Seven Generations Education Institute
Former elementary schools
Rainy River District School Board
- F.H. Huffman School
- Alexander Mackenzie School
- Sixth Street School
- Alberton Central School (Alberton, Ontario)
- McIrvine School
- Old Fort Frances High School
Northwest Catholic District School Board
- St. Mary's Catholic School
Notable Fort Francesians
- Dave Allison, former coach of the NHL's Ottawa Senators
- Mike Allison, former player for the Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and New York Rangers of the NHL
- Steve Arpin, ARCA Re/Max Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series race car driver
- Murray Bannerman, former player for the Chicago Blackhawks.
- Keith Christiansen, former player for the WHA Minnesota Fighting Saints.
- Todd Dufresne, social and cultural theorist best known for his work on Freud and psychoanalysis
- Gene Eugene, actor, musician and recording producer
- Howard Hampton, Member of Provincial Parliament (Ontario) of Kenora—Rainy River (provincial electoral district) and former leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party.
- Duncan Keith, NHL hockey player of the Chicago Blackhawks.
- Chris Lindberg, silver medalist with the Canadian Ice Hockey Team at the 1992 Winter Olympics
- Neil Sheehy, former player for the Calgary Flames, Hartford Whalers and Washington Capitals of the NHL.
- Timothy Sheehy, former NHL player.
- Gene Stoltzfus, founding director of Christian Peacemaker Teams
- The reality show, Fool's Gold, starring Todd Ryznar, Jason Whitehead, Mike Strom, Matt Wensley, Jim Easton and Mark "Grizz" Fairnington.
Culture and attractions
- The Fort Frances Museum
- The Border Land Arts Alliance
- Tour de Fort
- Folk Festival
- Pither's Point Park
- LaVerendrye Parkway- The Sorting Gap Marina
- The Lookout Tower, open to tour during summer
- The Tugboat Hallet, open to tour during summer
- Scott Street and Kings Highway Shopping Districts
- Kitchen Creek Golf Club
- Heron Landing Golf Course
- 8th Street Walking & Ski Trails
- Little Beaver Snow Park
- Royal Canadian Legion Park
- Clover Valley Farmer's Market
- City Hall
- Rendezvous Yacht Club
- The Noden Causeway
- Fort Frances Library and Technology Centre
- Harmony of Nations Music and Arts Festival
Sport
Fort Frances is home to the following amateur sports teams:
- Fort Frances Lakers (Junior ice hockey)
- Fort Frances Thunderhawks (Senior ice hockey)
- Fort Frances Muskies (Football)
- Fort Frances Muskies (Hockey)
Fort Frances was the home of the former amateur sports teams:
- Fort Frances Borderland Thunder (Junior ice hockey)
- Fort Frances Canadians (Senior ice hockey)
- Fort Frances Royals (Junior ice hockey)
Sporting facilities include : * The Duke Arena * Memorial Sports Centea
- Energy Fitness Centre
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Sylvia Van Kirk, “CAMERON, JOHN DUGALD,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 8, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–, accessed November 22, 2015, http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/cameron_john_dugald_8E.html.
- ↑ Sylvia Van Kirk, “SIMPSON, FRANCES RAMSAY,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 8, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–, accessed November 22, 2015, http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/simpson_frances_ramsay_8E.html.
- ↑ ohn S. Galbraith, “SIMPSON, Sir GEORGE,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 8, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–, accessed November 22, 2015, http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/simpson_george_8E.html.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Note that extremes data was combined from the Fort Frances station data with the airport data after 1995 when the original station was stopped operating.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Fort Frances, Ontario. |
- Town of Fort Frances Website
- Immigration Northwestern Ontario: Town of Fort Frances
- About Fort Frances on Russian language
- Fort Frances Times Online
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Unorganized Rainy River | Couchiching 16A | |
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