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Railways in North Bay

In the era when train transportation ruled North America several different railways found their way to, and through, North Bay.

The Canadian Pacific was the first to arrive and found the community in 1882. The Temiscaming and Northern Ontario (T.&.N.O.) was formed in 1902 and the Grand Trunk and Canadian National followed.

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Canadian Pacific 1004 locomotive
1900
Ontario, Canada

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Canadian Pacific Railway

When the C.P.R. was formed in 1881 it amalgamated numerous smaller railroads including the Canadian Central Railway (C.C.R.) that had track to Bonfield. The C.P.R. was created in an effort to construct a transcontinental railway across the country and unite the west with the eastern provinces.

After the merger as part of the transcontinental railway the C.P.R. starting laying track from Bonfield to the north shore of Lake Nipissing.

With the coming of this track, and decision by C.P.R. to place a fueling stop and later rail yards here, the community of North Bay was born.

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C.P.R. Dock
1882
North Bay, Ontario, Canada

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The first structures completed by the C.P.R. included the station, dock and bunk house for workers.

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C.P.R. Station
1883
North Bay, Ontario, Canada

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The community grew quickly from the C.P.R.'s decision to construct a fueling stop and roundhouse. Staff like these men were needed to run the local operations.

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C.P.R. workers
1915
North Bay, Ontario, Canada

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C.P.R. Roundhouse
1885
North Bay, Ontario, Canada

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Map of North Bay
1898
North Bay, Ontario, Canada

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The community grew out from the C.P.R. yards which were located on the shoreline of Lake Nipissing with businesses, boarding houses and hotels filling Toronto and Main Streets.

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C.P.R. Station
1903
North Bay, Ontario, Canada

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The look of North Bay's downtown changed again dramatically in 1903 when the C.P.R. constructed a large new stone station that dominated the landscape.

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C.P.R. Station
1920
North Bay, Ontario, Canada