Capreol, Ontario
Encyclopedia
Capreol is a community in the Ontario
city of Greater Sudbury. From 1918 to 2000, Capreol existed as an independent town, situated on the Vermilion River
.
On January 1, 2001, the towns and cities of the Regional Municipality were amalgamated into the single-tier city of Greater Sudbury.
In 1996, the last Canadian census before the municipal amalgamation, Capreol had a population of 3,817.
which was a major divisional point
on the Canadian National Railway
line, and was named for Frederick Chase Capreol
, the original promoter of the Northern Railway of Canada
. The first family to move into Capreol was Adolph and Margaret Sawyer, both of whom pioneered in farming.
Although the town was originally an independent community with its own thriving economy, it gradually became a satellite community to the more rapidly growing city of Sudbury, approximately 40 kilometres to the south. In 1916, there were thirty families in town, and by 1919, sixty houses had been built. It was then decided that Capreol would build its own YMCA
. In 1920, the construction of the YMCA was in progress, but was damaged by fire, to the extent of $40,000.00. The YMCA was rebuilt at double the cost and finally opened in 1921.
In 1973, the boundaries of the town of Capreol were expanded to include the nearby villages of Sellwood and Milnet, and the town was incorporated into the Regional Municipality of Sudbury. However, despite its status as part of the Regional Municipality, Statistics Canada
did not include the town in Sudbury's Census Metropolitan Area for census purposes.
The town is part of Ward 7 on Greater Sudbury City Council
, and is represented by councillor Dave Kilgour. In recent years, Capreol citizens have voiced their concerns that the city government does not adequately serve the community's needs. For example, they cite lack of a police presence and increasing vandalism as areas that Sudbury needs to improve on.
.
From 1978 to 1986, Capreol had a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
team called the Capreol Hawks
, who won the league title in 1980-81.
s.
Milnet (originally named Sellwood Junction up to 1916) began as a stop along the Canadian Northern Railway
. In 1917, after the railway was laid down, the Marshay Lumber Company built a mill and began a 22-year process of cutting trees from the area. Men from logging camps upstream would let the Vermilion River carry the logs to the mill in Milnet. From there the men at the mill
would cut the wood on the blade and then move it along to the planar mill.
An open pit mine now stands where the Sellwood townsite once was.
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....
city of Greater Sudbury. From 1918 to 2000, Capreol existed as an independent town, situated on the Vermilion River
Vermilion River (Sudbury District)
The Vermilion River is a river in the Lake Huron drainage basin in Sudbury District and Greater Sudbury in Northeastern Ontario, Canada.-Course:...
.
On January 1, 2001, the towns and cities of the Regional Municipality were amalgamated into the single-tier city of Greater Sudbury.
In 1996, the last Canadian census before the municipal amalgamation, Capreol had a population of 3,817.
History
Capreol formed around the Capreol railway stationCapreol railway station
Capreol railway station is located in the community of Capreol, Ontario, Canada. This station is currently in use by Via Rail. Transcontinental Canadian trains stop here....
which was a major divisional point
Divisional point
In Canada, a divisional point is a railway depot that includes more than just a basic siding or station.- Overview :In the coal and steam era, a divisional point would include such amenities as a substantial passenger station, freight and baggage sheds, a roundhouse, water tank, coaling and sanding...
on the Canadian National Railway
Canadian National Railway
The Canadian National Railway Company is a Canadian Class I railway headquartered in Montreal, Quebec. CN's slogan is "North America's Railroad"....
line, and was named for Frederick Chase Capreol
Frederick Chase Capreol
Frederick Chase Capreol was an English-born Canadian businessman and railway promoter. He is noted for having promoted the construction of the Toronto, Simcoe & Lake Huron Union Railroad...
, the original promoter of the Northern Railway of Canada
Northern Railway of Canada
The Northern Railway of Canada was a historical Canadian railway located in the province of Ontario. It was eventually acquired by the Grand Trunk Railway, and is therefore a predecessor to the modern Canadian National Railway.- Early history :...
. The first family to move into Capreol was Adolph and Margaret Sawyer, both of whom pioneered in farming.
Although the town was originally an independent community with its own thriving economy, it gradually became a satellite community to the more rapidly growing city of Sudbury, approximately 40 kilometres to the south. In 1916, there were thirty families in town, and by 1919, sixty houses had been built. It was then decided that Capreol would build its own YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
. In 1920, the construction of the YMCA was in progress, but was damaged by fire, to the extent of $40,000.00. The YMCA was rebuilt at double the cost and finally opened in 1921.
In 1973, the boundaries of the town of Capreol were expanded to include the nearby villages of Sellwood and Milnet, and the town was incorporated into the Regional Municipality of Sudbury. However, despite its status as part of the Regional Municipality, Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada is the Canadian federal government agency commissioned with producing statistics to help better understand Canada, its population, resources, economy, society, and culture. Its headquarters is in Ottawa....
did not include the town in Sudbury's Census Metropolitan Area for census purposes.
The town is part of Ward 7 on Greater Sudbury City Council
Greater Sudbury City Council
Greater Sudbury City Council is the governing body of the City of Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada.The council consists of the mayor plus a twelve-person council. The city is divided into twelve wards; each ward is represented by one councillor...
, and is represented by councillor Dave Kilgour. In recent years, Capreol citizens have voiced their concerns that the city government does not adequately serve the community's needs. For example, they cite lack of a police presence and increasing vandalism as areas that Sudbury needs to improve on.
Sports and culture
Capreol is the location of the Northern Ontario Railroad MuseumNorthern Ontario Railroad Museum
The Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre is located in the community of Capreol in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. The museum's mandate is to provide a unique and educational tourist attraction that preserves and displays the railroading past and heritage of Northern...
.
From 1978 to 1986, Capreol had a Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
The Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League is a Junior A ice hockey league under the supervision of the Canadian Junior Hockey League, the Northern Ontario Hockey Association, and Hockey Canada. The winner of the NOJHL playoffs competes for the Dudley Hewitt Cup with the winners of the Ontario...
team called the Capreol Hawks
Capreol Hawks
The Capreol Hawks were a Tier II Junior "A" ice hockey team from Capreol, Ontario, Canada. This defunct hockey team was a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.-History:...
, who won the league title in 1980-81.
Ghost towns
The former villages of Milnet and Sellwood, located within the area annexed by Capreol in 1973, are both now ghost townGhost town
A ghost town is an abandoned town or city. A town often becomes a ghost town because the economic activity that supported it has failed, or due to natural or human-caused disasters such as floods, government actions, uncontrolled lawlessness, war, or nuclear disasters...
s.
Milnet (originally named Sellwood Junction up to 1916) began as a stop along the Canadian Northern Railway
Canadian Northern Railway
The Canadian Northern Railway is a historic Canadian transcontinental railway. At its demise in 1923, when it was merged into the Canadian National Railway , the CNoR owned a main line between Quebec City and Vancouver via Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Edmonton.-Manitoba beginnings:CNoR had its start in...
. In 1917, after the railway was laid down, the Marshay Lumber Company built a mill and began a 22-year process of cutting trees from the area. Men from logging camps upstream would let the Vermilion River carry the logs to the mill in Milnet. From there the men at the mill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
would cut the wood on the blade and then move it along to the planar mill.
An open pit mine now stands where the Sellwood townsite once was.
Former mayors
incomplete list- James E. Coyne
- Harold Prescott
- Norman FawcettNorman FawcettNorman Edward Fawcett was a Canadian politician, who represented the riding of Nickel Belt in the Canadian House of Commons from 1965 to 1968...
- Frank MazzucaFrank MazzucaFrank Roger Mazzuca, Sr. was a Canadian politician and businessman in Capreol, Ontario. As a young man Mazzuca went to work for CN Rail where he was a brakeman for 37 years. In 1950 he opened Mazzuca Furniture & Appliance Co which is still a going concern...
- Dave Kilgour
- Julian T. Howe
- Alistair MacLean
- John MacLean
- William Gibson
External links
- Capreol Online
- Capreol's Information Pages
- Ontario Abandoned Places: Milnet
- History of Capreol at Greater Sudbury Heritage MuseumsGreater Sudbury Heritage MuseumsThe Greater Sudbury Heritage Museums are a network of four small community history museums in Greater Sudbury, Ontario. Three of the four are located on heritage properties in different neighbourhoods within the city, and the fourth is located in a library facility.-Anderson Farm Museum:The...