Port Arthur was founded as a municipality in 1884, was granted City status in 1907, and was amalgamated into the City of Thunder Bay on January 1, 1970.
Settlers moved into the area along the shore of Thunder Bay and near Fort William through the 19th century, particularly drawn by the promise of resources: both forest resources and mining exploration. The Department of Public Works construction of the Dawson Road westward, to support the Wolseley Expedition against the Red River Rebellion, established the site which was first named Prince Arthur's Landing in 1870. The first Town Plot was surveyed for settlement in 1871.
The Municipality of Shuniah was incorporated in 1873, including Prince Arthur's Landing, Fort William, Thunder Cape, and the townships of McGregor, Crooks, McTavish, McIntyre, Paipoonge and Neebing. The name "Port Arthur" was established in 1883, renamed by Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) officials. The Town of Port Arthur became separate from the Municipality of Shuniah in 1884.
Railway construction and operations, and the construction of terminal grain elevators became highly important to the region's economy, and competition for these facilities developed between Port Arthur and Fort William. Ultimately, Port Arthur was home to the Canadian Northern Railway and then facilities of the Canadian National Railways.
As Port Arthur and Fort William each grew, and grew closer together, the question of amalgamation was raised many times. The City of the Lakehead Act was enacted by Ontario in 1969, and with it both Port Arthur and Fort William would be amalgamated into the new City of Thunder Bay. As of January 1, 1970, the act took effect and Port Arthur was no longer a separate entity.
Sources
- Archeon. City of Port Arthur fonds. https://www.archeion.ca/city-of-port-arthur-fonds
- City of Thunder Bay. Port Arthur City Hall. https://www.thunderbay.ca/en/city-hall/port-arthur-city-hall.aspx
- VIAF. Port Arthur (Ont.). https://viaf.org/en/viaf/261071296
- Wikidata. Port Arthur. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7230482
- Wikipedia. Port Arthur, Ontario. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port_Arthur,_Ontario
The City of Thunder Bay was established in 1970, by the amalgamation of the Cities of Fort William and Port Arthur, the Township of Neebing, and the Township of McIntyre. Suggestions of amalgamation had been made for decades; the process began in the mid 1960s and culminated in a provincial Act.
The region's settlement by Europeans had begun during the fur trade in the late 17th century, and increased significantly in the 19th century, which also saw the establishment of Municipalities of Fort William and Port Arthur. The name "Thunder Bay" is the longstanding name of the bay on Lake Superior, framed by the Sleeping Giant Peninsula. The name "The Lakehead" also frequently used, refers to the location at the beginning of the Great Lakes shipping route.
Thunder Bay as a City has been shaped by industry: mining, forestry, and the shipment of grain from Western Canada through the St. Lawrence Seaway have all been key to the local economy.
Statistics Canada estimates that as of July 1, 2024, there were 133,063 people living in the Thunder Bay Census Metropolitan Area.
Sources
- Archeon. City of Thunder Bay fonds. https://www.archeion.ca/city-of-thunder-bay-fonds
- VIAF. Thunder Bay (ON.). https://viaf.org/en/viaf/151298533
- Wikipedia. Thunder Bay. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thunder_Bay
- City of Thunder Bay: History of Amalgamation. https://www.thunderbay.ca/en/city-hall/history-of-amalgamation.aspx
Moira Davidson worked as a Librarian at Lakehead University, with responsibility for Technical Services. She was also active in the Lakehead University Faculty Association. She retired from Lakehead in 2021.
Elizabeth Ann "Lizzie" Dean was born to parents Noble Benjamin Hall Dean and Mary Ann Ferris Dean in 1895. Elizabeth Ann had two brothers, Marshall Blanchard and Keith Cornelius Wesley Elwood (mother Theresa Montgomery Dean). “Lizzie” attended Loretta Abbey School in Toronto, and died suddenly after her first year at University from acute appendicitis.
Keith Cornelius Dean was born to parents Noble Benjamin Hall Dean and Theresa Montgomery Dean in Brighton in 1889. Keith attended Queen’s University, worked on the railway in western Canada, and served in WWI as a medical officer. Also attending the University of Manitoba, Keith was granted the Doctor of Medicine and Master of Surgery by Queen's, and had a longstanding home and medical practice at 99 Argyle Street in Caledonia. Keith married Olive Idella Shourds in 1918, and had five children - Elizabeth, Noble Benjamin Hall, Keith Cleaver Weston, Luther Allyn, and Malcolm Hewlin. Keith died in Hamilton in 1966.
Lottie Louise (Macdougall) Dean was born in Markdale in 1881, to parents Magistrate Allan Macdougall and Catherine MacDonald Macdougall. She married Marshall Blanchard Pulaski Corban Hall Dean in 1906 in Fort William and had four children, Blanchard, Marshall, Allan, and Noble. Three of the boys died as infants; only Marshall Macdougall Dean survived her. Lottie died in Fort William in 1933, 7 years after her husband's death.
Marshall Blanchard Dean was born in Brighton 1871 to parents Noble Benjamin Hall Dean and Mary Ann Ferris Dean, and died in Fort William, 1926. He had two siblings, Elizabeth (Lizzie) who died at age 21 of acute appendicitis, and Keith Cornelius. Marshall Blanchard married Lottie Louise Macdougall and had four children who were born in Fort William: Blanchard, Marshall, Allan, and Noble.
Marshall Blanchard Dean attended Queen’s University and the University of Toronto, becoming a doctor, serving as a surgeon at Toronto General Hospital, and coming to work in Fort William and Port Arthur. Overseas studies, serving as a ship’s surgeon, and returning to Fort William, Dr. Dean died suddenly of a heart attack in 1926. Known for active engagement with the Liberal Conservative Party, sports organizations, and community leadership, Dr. Dean had a family home on Ross Street in Fort William.
Marshall MacDougall Dean was born to parents Marshall Blanchard and Lottie Louise (Macdougall) in Fort William in 1916, and died in 2000 in Toronto. Marshall had three siblings, Blanchard, Allan and Noble, all of whom died as infants.
Marshall Macdougall Dean was 10 years old when his father died, and his mother, Lottie, died in 1933 when he was 17 years old. He became a personal administrator and worked for the Canadian Coast Guard. Residing much of his life in Toronto, Marshall Macdougall remained unmarried. His personal passion for genealogical research led him to research and write a book, "The Deans of Hamilton Township: A Genealogical History," and he become actively involved with the Society of Mayflower Descendants and The Canadian Society of Mayflower Descendants.
Mary Ann Ferris was born to parents Matthew Ferris of Eniskellan, Ireland, and Jane Marshall Ferris of Brighton, and had two siblings, Matthew and James. Mary Ann married Noble Benjamin Hall Dean in 1868 in Brighton, having two children, Marshall Blanchard and Elizabeth Ann. Mary Ann died in Brighton in 1883.
Noble Benjamin Hall Dean was born in Hamilton Township in 1840 to parents Samuel Corban Dean and Eliza Hall (Kelly) Dean, and died in Brighton in 1912. He had seven siblings: Adolphus, Marcus, Markland, Smith, Anna, Albert, and Marshall. Noble was married to Mary Ann Ferris and had two children, Marshall and Elizabeth (Lizzie), and later married Theresa Montgomery and had one child, Keith. All children were born in Brighton.
Noble became a doctor and had a practice in Beaverton, before serving as Surgeon in Chief at Fort Strong in the American Civil War. He later had a medical practice in Brighton for over forty years and was active in the community. Dr. Dean’s home and office was located on Younge Street in downtown Brighton.