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• Prince Arthur’s Landing

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

Authority record created February 16th, 2025; updated June 2025.

• Engels

https://viaf.org/en/viaf/261071296 https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7230482