Interesting Facts

BURNT ISLAND

BURNT ISLAND; The original Algonquin name for that island was called, Anipiminanikinik Minis, which means, "High bush cranberry island". The Algonquins had used the island as a summer gathering and hunting camp place. The Caribou used this island as their winter grazing ground. The local fur traders then called this island, Simpson's Island, who was a factor at Fort Temiskaming. Then it was called Mann's Island after a Hudson's Bay man had operated a stone quarry there. With the arrival of the french colonists from France in 1886, the Oblates renamed the island after Onezime Reclus, and its most northerly point after a fellow colonist, Paul Lafitte.

FARR ISLAND

FARR ISLAND; The original name for this island is lost in history. During the 1890's the captain of the Meteor used to get cordwood fule for the ship's boiler and the island was known as Percy island, named after the capitan of the Meteor. The island was also called Gull Island by the local people. The Island was later re-named Farr Island, by the people of Haileybury. Farr Island is privately owned. Gorden and Stuart Hayward are the owners of Farr Island and they have erected No Trespassing signs on the island on Sept.4th./ 2006.

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FOUNDER OF HAILEYBURY

Charles Cobbald Farr, was born in Suffolk, England and educated at Haileybury Collage, and is the founder of the town of Haileybury. He had developed a deep sense of belonging to this part of northeastern Ontario, identifying his life with its future. In 1873, Farr worked for the Hudson Bay Company at Fort Temiskaming situated on the banks of the southern end of Lake Temiskaming. In 1885, he had bought the small holdings of Louis Sirocein. P.T. Lawlor, who was a good friend of Farr's, became Haileybury's first settler while he was living on Farr's new holding. Later when Farr left the Hudson Bay Copany, he moved to his holdings and moved into a house, that was built by Farr's friend, P.T. Lawlor. This is where Farr wanted to create his "Little England", in the form of the town of Haileybury. In 1887 the provincial Government (Liberal) surveyed the northen region from Mattawa to the site which would become known as New Liskeard. During that time, the train had run, (Temiskaming Colonization Railway, now part of the CPR) from the opposite bank of Mattawa, the Quebec side on the Ottawa River, to the southern end of Lake Temiskaming. From there, settlers had to take the steamer, the Meteor, owned by the Lumsden Boat lines of Ottawa, to continue their journey on to the lakehead. In 1889 George W.Ross became the new liberal leader (Premier) of Ontario. By 1891 the provincial government put up these northern ontario surveyed lands on the market for fifty cents an acre. Farr purchsed an additional 1200 acres along the lakeshore where Haileybury in now located. In 1893 George Paget from Cornwall, England bought land and established the village of Liskeard, named after Paget's old public school. ( It was intended as a slap in the face on Farr's, Haileybury). This was the beginning of the rivery and feud between Haileybury and New Liskeard. During that same year, Crown Lands Agent, John Armstrong (Liberal Party) was appointed to direct and promoted settlers to the newly established townsite of Liskeard on the banks of the Wabi River. The town's name was later changed to New Liskeard. This act of John Armstrong took new settlers away from Haileybury. Farr published his first brochure in England that later would spread the world over, describing the agricultural potential around Haileybury on Lake Temiskaming. The first school was established in Haileybury in 1894 under Mrs. W. Clifford, the mother of the first white baby to be born in Haileybury. The first church that was built in Haileybury was by an Anglican missionary, The Rev'd D.A. Johnston, who became the first Rector. The first doctor in Haileybury was Dr.H.R. Codd, M.R.C.S. He was the first resident doctor serving the entire surrounding townships. Haileybury was designated the first official Post Office in 1890, for the entire area, it also put Haileybury on the map. By 1891 Farr had a nucleus of a town. In 1900, C.C.Farr lobbied hard to get a rail line on the Ontario side of Lake Temiskaming. That same year, while at a cutting on mile 103 of the new rail line of the Northern Ontario Railway, the discovery of silver was made in the area which gave birth to the town of Cobalt. In 1902 Haileybury had the first telephone system in the area. By 1910, electric power had arrived and kerosene lamps were on the way out. Elecric trolly cars were running between Cobalt, North Cobalt/Haileybury and New Liskeard. During this era, five banks were established in Haileybury. There was the Bank of Ottawa, the Sovereign Bank, the Union Bank, the Imperial Bank, and the Bank of Commerce. Recognition of Haileybury as a business and professional center came in 1912 with the the help of Bob Shillington, who was a member for Temiskaming, in the Ontario Legislature, became the County Seat for the newly formed District of Temiskaming. Haileybury became the County Seat for the Distric of Temiskaming, with all of the political emoluments attached to this honor, at the despair and anguish of disppointed citizens of New Liskeard who were also viving for that title. A Court House, a Records Office and the District Jail were constructed in Haileybury. C.C.Farr died in 1914 after a short illness, But he had lived to see his long held dream for Haileybury become the County Seat for the Distric of Temiskaming. Across the lake to the east of Haileybury, is Piche's Point. It is the oldest farm around Lake Temiskaming that was settled in around 1860.

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The Colors of Fall
The fall season is a great time to get out and enjoy the crisp-clean-fall air as you stroll through many a trails that abound here at Temiskaming Shores. You can put away your bug spray and enjoy the great outdoors without the pesky bugs buzzing all around you, taking blood and flesh along the way at your expense. The fall colors of red, yellow, orange, brown, various shades of green are just beginning to show through so the real spectacular color show is yet to come. How nice it is to walk, with camera in hand and come upon some wildlife and get ready to take that perfect shot for the album. Don't forget to pack a lunch so that you can sit by a stream, waterfall or small lake and enjoy a meal while you are resting. There are short trails for a short one or two hour walks or you can really get into the exploring mood and get on a trail that will last for days. here you will need a backpack, with tent, a good sleeping bag, a small camp stove, first aid kit, spare rope, a hunting knife, food and don't forget that canteen and your camera. There is just that much wilderness out here to fit anyone's expectations. Now is a good time for a canoe trip along a river or lake where you can explore coves, and waterways that feed into these lakes and rivers while the fall colors of nature feast your eyes. Now is a great time for some great fishing for those who are into that. As to hunting, why not do that with a camera, just for a change of pace. You will still get the thrill of the hunt with a camera when you capture that great photo. Anyway, the wilderness is your to enjoy, so get out there and enjoy. You will also meet some real friendly folks up here to make lasting friendships.

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Town of Haileybury