Greenstone, Ontario

Municipality in Ontario, Canada

Greenstone

Municipality (single-tier)

Municipality of Greenstone

Administration Office of Greenstone in Geraldton

Flag

Motto:

"Nature's Home Town"

Coordinates: 49°43′30.7″N 86°57′05″W﻿ / ﻿49.725194°N 86.95139°W﻿ / 49.725194; -86.95139
Country| Canada
Province| Ontario
District| Thunder Bay
Formed| 2001
Government

• Mayor| James McPherson
• Federal riding| Thunder Bay—Superior North
• Prov. riding| Thunder Bay—Superior North
Area

[1]

• Land| 2,767.19 km2 (1,068.42 sq mi)
Elevation

[2]

| 348.40 m (1,143.04 ft)
Population

(2016)[3]

• Total| 4,636
• Density| 1.7/km2 (4/sq mi)
Time zone| UTC−05:00 (EST)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−04:00 (EDT)
Postal code FSA|

P0T

Area code| 807
Website| www.greenstone.ca

Greenstone is a single-tier municipality in the Canadian province of Ontario with a population of 4,636 according to the 2016 Canadian census. It stretches along Highway 11 from Lake Nipigon to Longlac and covers 2,767.19 km2 (1,068.42 sq mi).

The town was formed in 2001, as part of municipal re-organization under the Progressive Conservative government of Ontario.[4] It combined the former Townships of Beardmore and Nakina, the Towns of Geraldton and Longlac with large unincorporated portions of Unorganized Thunder Bay District.

It is the administrative office of the band government for the Animbiigoo Zaagi'igan Anishinaabek First Nation.[5]

## Communities

[edit]

Greenstone includes the communities of Beardmore, Caramat, Geraldton, Jellicoe, Longlac, Macdiarmid, Nakina and Orient Bay. The municipal administrative offices are located in Geraldton. Nakina and Caramat are entirely exclaved from the rest of the municipality's territory.

* Geraldton

* Beardmore

* Longlac

* Nakina

## History

[edit]

T. L. Taunton, of the Geological Survey of Canada, noted gold in quartz fragments around Little Long Lac in 1917. Similarly, Tony Oklend found ore in a boulder during World War I. However, it wouldn't be until 1931 that Bill "Hard Rock" Smith and Stan Watson would stake 18 claims along 3 veins. Tom Johnson and Robert Wells filed claims based on gold appearing in Magnet Lake quartz outcrop and the presence of bismuthinite. The Bankfield Gold Mine developed from these claims. In 1932, Johnson and Oklend staked 12 claims at Little Long Lac. Fred MacLeod and Arthur Cockshutt filed 15 claims near Smith's.[6]

Nakina was established in 1923 as a station and railway yard on the National Transcontinental Railway, between the divisional points of Grant and Armstrong. Nakina was at Mile 15.9 of the NTR's Grant Sub-Division. Following the completion in 1924 of the Longlac-Nakina Cut-Off by the Canadian National Railway, connecting the rails of the Canadian Northern Railway at Longlac and the NTR, Nakina became the new divisional point, and the buildings from the town of Grant (25 km (16 mi) to the east) were moved to the new Nakina town site.

In the 1930s the Beardmore Relics, Viking Age artifacts were found near Beardmore, which were proposed to be evidence of Vikings in Ontario. Later, the relics were proven to have been a hoax. Through a series of witnesses as well as the son of the person who had found them, the relics were found to have been planted in Beardmore and not, as was suggested, found there.

By 1934, a gold rush absorbed the area from Long Lac to Nipigon, a belt 100 km (62 mi) long and 40 km (25 mi) wide. The village of Hard Rock was established in 1934, and Longlac, Bankfield, and Geraldton soon followed. Though a 1936 fire threatened the mines, development was able to continue.[6]

As an important railway service stop from 1923 until 1986, the town had a railway round-house as well as a watering and fuelling capability. During World War II, there was also a radar base[7] on the edge of the town, intended to watch for a potential attack on the strategically important Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie. Research into the radar site in the Library and Archives Canada indicates that it was largely a United States Army Air Forces operation, pre-dating the Pinetree Line radar bases that were erected to focus on the Cold War threat. The Nakina base was totally removed shortly after the war.[citation needed]

The settlement of Geraldton is a compound of the surname of financiers of a nearby gold mine near Kenogamisis Lake in 1931 (Fitzgerald and Errington).[8]

The Geraldton-Beardmore Gold Camp, in the heart of the Canadian Shield, hosts numerous mineralized zones which continue to be explored for potential development. Eight gold mines operated here between 1936 and 1970.

Tom Powers and Phil Silams staked what became the Northern Empire Mine (1925–1988) near Beardmore, which produced a total of 149,493 ounces of gold. The Little Long Lac Mine (1934–1953) produced 605,449 ounces of gold, besides producing scheelite. J.M. Wood and W.T. Brown developed the Sturgeon River Gold Mine (1936–1942), which produced 73,438 ounces of gold. James and Russell Cryderman found and Karl Springer incorporated what became known as the Leitch Gold Mine (1936–1968), which produced 861,982 ounces of gold from 0.92 grade ore. The Bankfield Gold Mines produced 66,416 ounces by 1942. Tomball Mines (1938–1942), started by Tom and Bill Johnson, produced 69,416 ounces. The Magnet Mine (1938–1942) produced 152,089 ounces. The Hard Rock Mine (1938–1951) produced 269,081 ounces, while the MacLeod-Cockshutt (1938–1970) produced 1,516,980 ounces.[6]

In the 1970s pulp and paper operations near the town resulted in growth in the town's population to its peak of approximately 1,200. However, at this point, cost controls in the railway industry meant that service and maintenance could be consolidated at points much more distant from one another than had been common in the first half of the 20th century. As a result, the value of Nakina as a railway service community was greatly diminished, to the point where the railway was no longer a substantial employer in the town. Also in the 1970s, a radio station was launched in Longlac as CHAP on the AM dial; this station left the air by the late 1970s.[9]

The town remains focused on tourism, diminished pulp and paper operations and support of other more northern communities (food, fuel and transportation). Mining and minerals industries are often seen as a source of further growth, though the Canadian Shield geology of the area makes extraction of minerals like gold an expensive operation.

As of 2009[update], a proposed ore transport point around Nakina, as part of the Ring of Fire development, may shift the emphasis of local industry from logging back to mining. In 2010 the Ring of Fire development, proposed James Bay rail link and placement of processing plants remains of great economic interest for the region. Development was expected to cost more than $1.5 billion. In 2019, negotiations with communities were continuing.[10]

On 19 February 2011, Beardmore was temporarily evacuated after a major explosion ruptured the TransCanada pipeline in the community.[11]

## Demographics

[edit]

In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Greenstone had a population of 4,309 living in 1,920 of its 2,449 total private dwellings, a change of -7.1% from its 2016 population of 4,636. With a land area of 2,727.04 km2 (1,052.92 sq mi), it had a population density of 1.6/km2 (4.1/sq mi) in 2021.[12]

Canada census – Greenstone community profile

| 2021| 2016| 2011

|
|
|

Population| 4,309 (-7.1% from 2016)| 4,636 (-1.9% from 2011)| 4,724 (-3.3% from 2006)
Land area| 2,727.04 km2 (1,052.92 sq mi)| 2,767.19 km2 (1,068.42 sq mi)| 2,767.76 km2 (1,068.64 sq mi)
Population density| 1.6/km2 (4.1/sq mi)| 1.7/km2 (4.4/sq mi)| 1.7/km2 (4.4/sq mi)
Median age| 47.2 (M: 46.4, F: 47.6)| 45.4 (M: 45.4, F: 45.4)|
Private dwellings| 2,449 (total) 1,920 (occupied)| 2,592 (total) | 2,629 (total)
Median household income| $72,000| |

Notes: Includes population and dwelling count amendments.
References: 2021[13] 2016[14] 2011[1] earlier[15][16]

Greenstone, Ontario Historical populationsYear| Pop.| ±%

|
|

1996| 6,530| —
2001| 5,901| −9.6%
2006| 4,906| −16.9%
2011| 4,724| −3.7%
2016| 4,636| −1.9%
2021| 4,309| −7.1%
[1][3][17]
2006 population would be 4,886 using 2011 boundaries

## Government

[edit]

Greenstone's mayor is James McPherson.

The Greenstone Public Library has branches in Beardmore, Geraldton (the Elsie Dugard Centennial Branch), Longlac and Nakina (the Helen Mackie Memorial Branch).[18]

## Insignia

[edit]

On 4 March 2006 Letters Patent were presented by the Canadian Heraldic Authority, granting arms, flag and badge to the Corporation of the Municipality of Greenstone.[19] The flag consists in a banner of arms while the badge is described as: on a miner's pick and a double-bitted axe in saltire Argent hafted Vert, a railway wheel Or charged with a grey wolf's head erased proper.[19]

Coat of arms of Greenstone, Ontario

Granted
2005
Armiger
The Corporation of the Municipality of Greenstone
Crest
A demi moose Or its dexter hoof resting on a miner’s pick Argent hafted Vert
Escutcheon
Argent on a fess Vert a barrulet Or
Supporters
Two grey wolves proper each gorged with a collar Vert pendent therefrom a pomme, that to the dexter charged with a railway wheel, that to the sinister with a fish Or, both standing on a rocky mound proper set with pine branches Vert above barry wavy Argent and Azure
Motto
SPIRIT OF THE NORTH
Badge
On a miner’s pick and a double-bitted axe in saltire Argent hafted Vert, a railway wheel Or charged with a grey wolf’s head erased proper

## Climate

[edit]

Greenstone experiences a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb), with cold winters and warm summers. The highest temperature ever recorded in the area was 40.0 °C (104.0 °F) on 11 and 12 July 1936 at Longlac.[20] The coldest temperature ever recorded was −50.2 °C (−58.4 °F) on 31 January 1996 (at Geraldton Airport).[2]

Climate data for Greenstone (Geraldton Airport), 1991−2020 normals, extremes 1921−present[a]

Month  | Jan  | Feb  | Mar  | Apr  | May  | Jun  | Jul  | Aug  | Sep  | Oct  | Nov  | Dec  | Year
Record high °C (°F)  | 7.8
(46.0)  | 11.1
(52.0)  | 20.7
(69.3)  | 28.9
(84.0)  | 33.1
(91.6)  | 37.0
(98.6)  | 40.0
(104.0)  | 36.7
(98.1)  | 32.8
(91.0)  | 28.9
(84.0)  | 20.1
(68.2)  | 10.8
(51.4)  | 40.0
(104.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)  | −12.2
(10.0)  | −8.8
(16.2)  | −1.3
(29.7)  | 6.6
(43.9)  | 15.2
(59.4)  | 21.4
(70.5)  | 23.6
(74.5)  | 22.3
(72.1)  | 16.5
(61.7)  | 7.6
(45.7)  | −1.0
(30.2)  | −8.3
(17.1)  | 6.8
(44.2)
Daily mean °C (°F)  | −18.5
(−1.3)  | −16.1
(3.0)  | −8.7
(16.3)  | 0.0
(32.0)  | 8.4
(47.1)  | 14.7
(58.5)  | 17.4
(63.3)  | 16.1
(61.0)  | 10.9
(51.6)  | 3.4
(38.1)  | −5.1
(22.8)  | −13.3
(8.1)  | 0.8
(33.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)  | −24.7
(−12.5)  | −23.4
(−10.1)  | −16.1
(3.0)  | −6.7
(19.9)  | 1.6
(34.9)  | 8.0
(46.4)  | 11.1
(52.0)  | 9.9
(49.8)  | 5.2
(41.4)  | −0.8
(30.6)  | −9.3
(15.3)  | −18.3
(−0.9)  | −5.3
(22.5)
Record low °C (°F)  | −50.2
(−58.4)  | −49.3
(−56.7)  | −45.0
(−49.0)  | −36.1
(−33.0)  | −15.0
(5.0)  | −6.1
(21.0)  | −3.9
(25.0)  | −4.4
(24.1)  | −8.3
(17.1)  | −24.4
(−11.9)  | −37.8
(−36.0)  | −46.7
(−52.1)  | −50.2
(−58.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches)  | 35.9
(1.41)  | 25.5
(1.00)  | 32.5
(1.28)  | 48.9
(1.93)  | 78.2
(3.08)  | 81.5
(3.21)  | 108.0
(4.25)  | 76.2
(3.00)  | 102.0
(4.02)  | 83.9
(3.30)  | 52.7
(2.07)  | 36.9
(1.45)  | 762.2
(30.01)
Average rainfall mm (inches)  | 0.6
(0.02)  | 0.6
(0.02)  | 7.4
(0.29)  | 21.4
(0.84)  | 73.0
(2.87)  | 81.2
(3.20)  | 108.0
(4.25)  | 76.2
(3.00)  | 100.3
(3.95)  | 60.9
(2.40)  | 14.9
(0.59)  | 2.1
(0.08)  | 546.5
(21.52)
Average snowfall cm (inches)  | 43.4
(17.1)  | 30.5
(12.0)  | 28.8
(11.3)  | 27.8
(10.9)  | 4.9
(1.9)  | 0.3
(0.1)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 0.0
(0.0)  | 1.5
(0.6)  | 23.5
(9.3)  | 44.1
(17.4)  | 44.3
(17.4)  | 249.0
(98.0)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 14.3  | 11.4  | 11.8  | 9.9  | 13.3  | 13.5  | 14.6  | 13.7  | 15.4  | 16.8  | 15.9  | 16.5  | 167.1
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.44  | 0.46  | 2.1  | 4.8  | 12.4  | 13.4  | 14.6  | 13.7  | 15.0  | 11.9  | 4.0  | 1.1  | 94.0
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 15.0  | 11.5  | 10.6  | 6.7  | 2.2  | 0.07  | 0.0  | 0.0  | 0.71  | 7.6  | 13.8  | 16.8  | 85.0
Average relative humidity (%) (at 1 5:00 LST) | 68.9  | 60.4  | 52.9  | 48.1  | 50.6  | 52.1  | 55.7  | 56.9  | 63.4  | 69.7  | 75.2  | 75.6  | 60.8
Source: Environment Canada[21][22][23][24][25]

## Transportation

[edit]

Greenstone is served by Via Rail services at Longlac, Nakina, and Caramat stations.

Current services at Caramat station

Preceding station  |  Via Rail | Following station
Longlac

toward Vancouver

|  | The Canadian |  | Hillsport

toward Toronto

Former services at Caramat station
Preceding station  | Canadian National Railway | Following station
Pagwachuan

toward Vancouver

|  | Main Line  |  | Arms

toward Montreal

## In film

[edit]

The First Nations television series Spirit Bay was shot here by the CBC in the mid-1980s at the Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek First Nation Reserve. The film Coconut Hero was also filmed partially in Geraldton.[26]

## Notable people

[edit]

* Boris Elik, National Hockey League (NHL) hockey player
* John Grisdale, NHL hockey player
* James Hendry, soldier and recipient of the George Cross
* Roy Thomas, painter
* Jane Urquhart, novelist
* Kelsey Wilson, NHL hockey player
* Tyler Tucker, NHL hockey player
* Norval Morrisseau, artist

## See also

[edit]

* List of townships in Ontario
* List of francophone communities in Ontario
* Matachewan
* Cobalt silver rush
* Porcupine Gold Rush
* Red Lake, Ontario

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "2011 Community Profiles". 2011 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 29 March 2012.
2. ^ a b "Geraldton A, Ontario". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment Canada. 25 September 2013. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
3. ^ a b "Greenstone census profile". 2016 Census of Population. Statistics Canada. 8 February 2017. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
4. ^ Municipal Act RSO 1990 c.M.45
5. ^ "Animbiigoo Zaagi igan Anishinaabek". Retrieved 13 July 2019.
6. ^ a b c Barnes, Michael (1995). Gold in Ontario. Erin: The Boston Mills Press. pp. 78–83. ISBN 155046146X.
7. ^ Dziuban, Stanley W. (1970). Military Relations Between the United States and Canada 1939–1945. United States Army Center of Military History. p. 196\. CMH Pub 11-5. Retrieved 30 June 2010.
8. ^ "Geraldton". Rural Routes Ontario. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
9. ^ "CHAP-AM (1970-1977)". Canadian Communications Foundation. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
10. ^ CBC News, "Ontario government ends Ring of Fire regional agreement with Matawa First Nations", 27 Aug 2019
11. ^ "No injuries after pipeline blast in northern Ontario". The Toronto Star. 20 February 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
12. ^ "Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, census divisions and census subdivisions (municipalities), Ontario". Statistics Canada. 9 February 2022. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
13. ^ "2021 Community Profiles". 2021 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. 4 February 2022. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
14. ^ "2016 Community Profiles". 2016 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. 12 August 2021. Retrieved 16 March 2017.
15. ^ "2006 Community Profiles". 2006 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. 20 August 2019.
16. ^ "2001 Community Profiles". 2001 Canadian census. Statistics Canada. 18 July 2021.
17. ^ Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 census
18. ^ "Greenstone Public Library". Municipality of Greenstone. 28 April 2023.
19. ^ a b General, The Office of the Secretary to the Governor (12 November 2020). "The Corporation of the Municipality of Greenstone [Civil Institution]". reg.gg.ca. Retrieved 14 September 2021.
20. ^ "Daily Data Report for July 1936". Canadian Climate Data. Environment Canada. 31 October 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
21. ^ "Geraldton, Ontario". Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020. Environment Canada. Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
22. ^ "Longlac". Canadian Climate Data. Environment Canada. 31 October 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
23. ^ "Geraldton Forestry". Canadian Climate Data. Environment Canada. 31 October 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
24. ^ "Geraldton". Canadian Climate Data. Environment Canada. 31 October 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
25. ^ "Geraldton A". Canadian Climate Data. Environment Canada. 31 October 2011. Retrieved 12 November 2016.
26. ^ "Feature Film Shoots in Geraldton". 21 September 2014.

1. ^ Extreme high and low temperatures in the table below were recorded at Longlac from March 1921 to July 1948, at Geraldton from August 1948 to July 1981 and at Geraldton Airport from August 1981 to present.

## External links

[edit]

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Longlac.

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Main portion

|  | Unorganized Thunder Bay |

|
|

|  |
Lake Nipigon / Biinjitiwaabik Zaaging Anishinaabek First Nation |

Greenstone
(surrounds Lake Nipigon and Long Lake 58)

| Unorganized Thunder Bay
|  |
| Unorganized Thunder Bay, Ginoogaming First Nation |

* v
* t
* e

Northern portion

|  | Unorganized Thunder Bay |

|
|

|  |
Unorganized Thunder Bay |

Greenstone

| Unorganized North Cochrane
|  |
| Unorganized Thunder Bay |

* v
* t
* e

Eastern portion

|  | Unorganized Thunder Bay |

|
|

|  |
Unorganized Thunder Bay |

Greenstone

| Unorganized Thunder Bay
|  |
| Unorganized Thunder Bay |

* v
* t
* e

Thunder Bay District, Ontario

Cities|

* Thunder Bay

Towns|

* Greenstone
* Marathon

Townships|

* Conmee
* Dorion
* Gillies
* Manitouwadge
* Neebing
* Nipigon
* O'Connor
* Oliver Paipoonge
* Red Rock
* Schreiber
* Shuniah
* Terrace Bay

First Nations|

* Animbiigoo Zaagi'igan Anishinaabek
* Aroland
* Biigtigong Nishnaabeg
* Biinjitiwabik Zaaging Anishnabek (Rocky Bay)
* Bingwi Neyaashi Anishinaabek (Sand Point)
* Fort William
* Ginoogaming
* Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek (Gull Bay)
* Lac des Mille Lacs
* Long Lake 58
* Mishkeegogamang
* Namaygoosisagagun
* Netmizaaggamig Nishnaabeg (Pic Mobert)
* Ojibways of Saugeen
* Pays Plat
* Red Rock (Lake Helen)
* Whitesand

First Nations reserves|

* Fort William 52
* Ginoogaming (Long Lac 77)
* Gull River 55
* Lac des Mille Lacs 22A1
* Lac des Mille Lacs 22A2
* Lake Helen 53A
* Lake Nipigon
* Long Lake 58
* Ojibway Nation of Saugeen (Savant Lake)
* Osnaburgh 63A
* Pays Plat 51
* Pic Mobert North
* Pic Mobert South
* Pic River 50
* Red Rock 53
* Rocky Bay 1
* Sand Point First Nation
* Whitesand

First Nations settlements|

* Armstrong
* Aroland
* Collins Lake

Unorganized areas|

* Unorganized Thunder Bay

Local services boards|

* Armstrong
* East Gorham
* Hurkett
* Kaministiquia
* Lappe
* Nolalu
* Rossport
* Shebandowan
* Upsala

Unincorporated
communities|

* Amethyst Harbour
* Ancliff
* Auden
* Baird
* Beardmore
* Bowker
* Burchell Lake
* Caramat
* Carters Corners
* Cloud Bay
* English River
* Finmark
* Flint
* Fort William
* Geraldton
* Gorham
* Harstone
* Hemlo
* Hillside
* Hume
* Hymers
* Jackfish
* Jacques
* Jarvis River
* Jellicoe
* Kakabeka Falls
* Kashabowie
* Lee
* Leeblain
* Leeper
* Longlac
* Loon
* Macdiarmid
* Mackenzie
* McCluskeys Corners
* Millar
* Mokomon
* Moose Hill
* Murillo
* Nakina
* Navilus
* Nolalu
* Ombabika
* Orient Bay
* Pass Lake
* Pays Plat
* Pearl
* Port Arthur
* Raith
* Rosslyn
* Savanne
* Savant Lake
* Scoble West
* Sellers
* Shabaqua
* Shabaqua Corners
* Silver Harbour
* Silver Islet
* Silver Mountain
* Slate River Valley
* South Gillies
* Stanley
* Sorrell Lake
* Suomi
* Twin City
* Wamsley
* Wild Goose

See also
Communities in Thunder Bay District
List of census divisions of Ontario

Authority control databases: Geographic |

* MusicBrainz area

|

*[Pop.]: Population
*[±%]: Percent change
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
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