Did you know that 96% of Thunder Bay’s waterfront is not accessible to the public? That goes back to our transshipment story when the waterfront exploded with jobs and commerce in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The former towns of Fort William and Port Arthur battled it out to build a great base of trade, and they succeeded. At its peak, our city had 28 grain elevators, five paper making plants, and major facilities to handle coal and potash. Today, the waterfront is quieter with only eight grain elevators still running, but other areas like potash are taking off again. Our city was built on the pride of moving commerce across the nation, and that work continues.
That is why the Transportation Museum of Thunder Bay is hosting a special fundraising dinner called Keep our History Rolling – A Museum on the Move… Think of the mariners and the grain elevator operators. They were someone’s father or grandfather, all working hard to make a living. The museum continues to celebrate those leaders from our past by giving our community chances to grow. A huge exhibit on the waterfront, the former Canadian Coast Guard Ship, the Alexander Henry, offers people a way to connect to our history. You can see firsthand a ship that was built here in our city back in the late 1950s, with craftsmanship that still stands out today. Tours run all summer long, giving tourists and citizens alike a chance to touch our history and experience our stories.
The dinner will feature the Celtic band Loughlin, a buffet dinner from the Current River Community Centre, and two guest speakers. Bill Reist will talk about the Pool 2 elevator located just north of Prince Arthur’s Landing, and history teacher Dave Battelstel from St. Patrick’s High School will speak about his journey along the Graham Subdivision Railway. Please join us on Friday, May 1, with doors opening at 5:00 p.m. and dinner at 6:00 p.m. Come meet new friends, chat with old acquaintances, and enjoy the story that is basic to our existence on Lake Superior. Tickets are available for $50 at tmtb.ca. We hope to see you there.
