Iroquois Falls, Ontario
Encyclopedia
Iroquois Falls is a small town in Northern Ontario
, Canada
, with a population of 4,729 in the Canada 2006 Census
.
The town centre lies just off of Hwy 11
on the banks the Abitibi River
, west of Lake Abitibi
. Timmins
, one of the largest cities in northern Ontario is approximately 50 kilometres (31.1 mi) to the west. The following communities are also within the municipal boundaries: Monteith, Nellie Lake, and Porquis Junction.
Iroquois Falls is home to the top-producing paper mill
of pulp and paper
company AbitibiBowater
, which is the town's primary industry. The Monteith Correctional Complex
, a provincial prison
serving a regional catchment area, is located in the community of Monteith.
The background of the town's name varies depending on the source, attributing the name of the falls either to invasions by the Iroquois
on Huron or Ojibway villages. It is also unclear who has relayed the tale, settlers or the First Nations
people themselves.
Incorporated in 1915, Iroquois Falls was built as a company town by Frank Harris Anson, owner of the Abitibi Power and Paper Company, Limited. In 1916, much of the town was destroyed by fire. Frank Harris Anson, who was influenced by the Garden City movement, continued his beautification program during the 1920s as the community rebuilt.
Founded as Abitibi Pulp and Paper Co. by Frank Harris Anson, this mill created a dramatic change to the area. A new population migrated to the area for development. The creation of the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway (now Ontario Northland Railway
) service greatly boosted the economy as there were no roads at the time. A large group of Abitibi housing units were built and a large church. The large church, which is a historic landmark for the area, was the first English Catholic Parish to be built in Northern Ontario. As Iroquois Falls grew it was separated into three distinct towns: Montrock, Ansonville, and Iroquois Falls. This was discontinued in 1979 and they were amalgamated into one town named Iroquois Falls. Abitibi-Price merged with Stone-Consolidated and then merged Donohue Forest Products and finally with Bowater to create AbitbiBowater. On April 17, 2009 AbitibiBowater sought CCAA protection. AbitibiBowater is currently in the process of implementing a re-structuring plan for the purpose of coming out of bankruptcy protection late 2010 or early 2011.
that Abitibi-Bowater's pulp and paper mill, the town's main industry, would close have passed. Moving to stay open, they will need to begin replacing an ageing workforce, thereby stimulating local economies. The Mining industry in the area has also been providing gainful employment for those willing a short commute. Mines near Matheson beginning to employ a significant amount of the youth looking for a career in the area. Another boost to the local economy is expected as new mining projects begin development in the north.
The politicians of the town and area have created a plan that invites companies to bring business to Iroquois Falls. Some businesses have opened, mostly small family oriented businesses. The community infrastructure of Iroquois Falls includes parks, community recreation centers, the Jus Jordan arena and curling club, and a golf course. However they are still looking for large employment opportunities to stabilize growth and diversify the local economy.
, formerly the Iroquois Falls Junior Eskis, of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League
. The Iroquois Falls Curling Club has 5 rinks with a comfortable licenced lounge suitable for rentals, receptions and catered events. Each summer brings the "Search for Moby Pike" fishing derby
on Lake Abitibi
. MusicMusicMusic, a live music event featuring local musicians is a popular annual event. Occurring on the second weekend of August, it is a fund-raising event for local community charities. Porquis Junction, a small community 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) south of the town centre, is home to the Porquis Blues Festival.
Northern Ontario
Northern Ontario is a region of the Canadian province of Ontario which lies north of Lake Huron , the French River and Lake Nipissing. The region has a land area of 802,000 km2 and constitutes 87% of the land area of Ontario, although it contains only about 6% of the population...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, with a population of 4,729 in the Canada 2006 Census
Canada 2006 Census
The Canada 2006 Census was a detailed enumeration of the Canadian population. Census day was May 16, 2006. The next census following will be the 2011 Census. Canada's total population enumerated by the 2006 census was 31,612,897...
.
The town centre lies just off of Hwy 11
Highway 11 (Ontario)
King's Highway 11 is a provincially maintained highway in the Canadian province of Ontario. At , it is the second longest highway in the province after Highway 17. Highway 11 begins at Highway 400 in Barrie, and arches through northern Ontario, around Lake Superior, to the Ontario–Minnesota border...
on the banks the Abitibi River
Abitibi River
The Abitibi River is a river in northeastern Ontario, Canada, which flows northwest from Lake Abitibi to join the Moose River which empties into James Bay. This river is long.The river was an important fur trading route for the Hudson's Bay Company...
, west of Lake Abitibi
Lake Abitibi
Lake Abitibi is a lake in northeastern Ontario and western Quebec, Canada. The lake is separated in two distinct portions by a short narrows, making it actually 2 lakes. Its total area is 931 km², and net area 903 km². The lake is shallow and studded with islands...
. Timmins
Timmins
Timmins is a city in northeastern Ontario, Canada on the Mattagami River. At the time of the Canada 2006 Census, Timmins' population was 42,997...
, one of the largest cities in northern Ontario is approximately 50 kilometres (31.1 mi) to the west. The following communities are also within the municipal boundaries: Monteith, Nellie Lake, and Porquis Junction.
Iroquois Falls is home to the top-producing paper mill
Paper mill
A paper mill is a factory devoted to making paper from vegetable fibres such as wood pulp, old rags and other ingredients using a Fourdrinier machine or other type of paper machine.- History :...
of pulp and paper
Pulp and Paper
Pulp and Paper is the name of the largest United States-based trade magazine for the pulp and paper industry. See also: Paper engineering, Pulp and Paper Merit Badge...
company AbitibiBowater
AbitibiBowater
Resolute Forest Products , formerly known as AbitibiBowater Inc. is a pulp and paper manufacturer headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, formed by the merger of Bowater and Abitibi-Consolidated, which was announced 29 January 2007...
, which is the town's primary industry. The Monteith Correctional Complex
Monteith Correctional Complex
The Monteith Correctional Complex is a medium/maximum security prison located in Monteith, a community in Iroquois Falls, Ontario....
, a provincial prison
Prison
A prison is a place in which people are physically confined and, usually, deprived of a range of personal freedoms. Imprisonment or incarceration is a legal penalty that may be imposed by the state for the commission of a crime...
serving a regional catchment area, is located in the community of Monteith.
History
Iroquois
The Iroquois , also known as the Haudenosaunee or the "People of the Longhouse", are an association of several tribes of indigenous people of North America...
on Huron or Ojibway villages. It is also unclear who has relayed the tale, settlers or the First Nations
First Nations
First Nations is a term that collectively refers to various Aboriginal peoples in Canada who are neither Inuit nor Métis. There are currently over 630 recognised First Nations governments or bands spread across Canada, roughly half of which are in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia. The...
people themselves.
Incorporated in 1915, Iroquois Falls was built as a company town by Frank Harris Anson, owner of the Abitibi Power and Paper Company, Limited. In 1916, much of the town was destroyed by fire. Frank Harris Anson, who was influenced by the Garden City movement, continued his beautification program during the 1920s as the community rebuilt.
Founded as Abitibi Pulp and Paper Co. by Frank Harris Anson, this mill created a dramatic change to the area. A new population migrated to the area for development. The creation of the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway (now Ontario Northland Railway
Ontario Northland Railway
The Ontario Northland Railway is a Canadian railway operated by the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission, a provincial Crown agency of the government of Ontario....
) service greatly boosted the economy as there were no roads at the time. A large group of Abitibi housing units were built and a large church. The large church, which is a historic landmark for the area, was the first English Catholic Parish to be built in Northern Ontario. As Iroquois Falls grew it was separated into three distinct towns: Montrock, Ansonville, and Iroquois Falls. This was discontinued in 1979 and they were amalgamated into one town named Iroquois Falls. Abitibi-Price merged with Stone-Consolidated and then merged Donohue Forest Products and finally with Bowater to create AbitbiBowater. On April 17, 2009 AbitibiBowater sought CCAA protection. AbitibiBowater is currently in the process of implementing a re-structuring plan for the purpose of coming out of bankruptcy protection late 2010 or early 2011.
Regional development
Iroquois Falls has had little growth to its economy for many years. However the future prospects for employment in the area are good. Fearsthat Abitibi-Bowater's pulp and paper mill, the town's main industry, would close have passed. Moving to stay open, they will need to begin replacing an ageing workforce, thereby stimulating local economies. The Mining industry in the area has also been providing gainful employment for those willing a short commute. Mines near Matheson beginning to employ a significant amount of the youth looking for a career in the area. Another boost to the local economy is expected as new mining projects begin development in the north.
The politicians of the town and area have created a plan that invites companies to bring business to Iroquois Falls. Some businesses have opened, mostly small family oriented businesses. The community infrastructure of Iroquois Falls includes parks, community recreation centers, the Jus Jordan arena and curling club, and a golf course. However they are still looking for large employment opportunities to stabilize growth and diversify the local economy.
Sports and recreation
Iroquois Falls is home to the Abitibi EskimosAbitibi Eskimos
The Abitibi Eskimos are a Junior "A" ice hockey team from Iroquois Falls, Ontario, Canada. They are a part of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League.-Season-by-season results:...
, formerly the Iroquois Falls Junior Eskis, of the 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...
. The Iroquois Falls Curling Club has 5 rinks with a comfortable licenced lounge suitable for rentals, receptions and catered events. Each summer brings the "Search for Moby Pike" fishing derby
Fishing derby
Fishing derby may refer to:* Fishing tournament, a fishing contest among a group of anglers* Fishing Derby, an Atari 2600 video game...
on Lake Abitibi
Lake Abitibi
Lake Abitibi is a lake in northeastern Ontario and western Quebec, Canada. The lake is separated in two distinct portions by a short narrows, making it actually 2 lakes. Its total area is 931 km², and net area 903 km². The lake is shallow and studded with islands...
. MusicMusicMusic, a live music event featuring local musicians is a popular annual event. Occurring on the second weekend of August, it is a fund-raising event for local community charities. Porquis Junction, a small community 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) south of the town centre, is home to the Porquis Blues Festival.