There’s something really interesting about Hearst.
Hearst is the frontier of northern Ontario – you either live in Hearst, east of Hearst, or you live waaaaaaaaaaaaaay west of it. It even has a Northern Store (how’s that for remote.)
Hearst from the air
Where else would a town of 6000 have so many bars, the “northern ballet”, and yet still have four or five churches?
What other place keeps you in their town by telling you just how far away everywhere else is? I mean, Longlac is 210 kilometres west, with nothing in between. Hearst has the last McDonald’s for 500 kilometres – I know it because I checked, in person. There isn’t another McD’s until Thunder Bay…
The tourist office in Hearst. So awesome.
I once applied for a government job in Hearst, but never got an interview. To be fair, I realize now that I was woefully underqualified. I swear that the ad had listed French as “an asset”. Well, no French isn’t an asset – in Hearst, it’s a requirement.
One of the most interesting things about Hearst, however, is that it is the most francophone community in Ontario – something like 85-90 percent. Hearst even has residents that only speak French, and no English. Rue George is the downtown drag and it’s really cute, with small shops, a library, a diner, and a movie theatre showing French-language movies. It’s reminds me of Penetanguishene, but more with more French.
I (h)EART (h)EARST
Erst (as it is pronounced locally) is a pretty special town. It has:
• The motto: “The Moose capital of Canada” (or so they boast)
• The only tin man on Highway 11 (he keeps watch over an appliance store)
• The most millionaires per capita (or so someone emailed, apparently it’s due to the local forestry?)
• The largest moose sculpture on Highway 11 (Believe me, I’ve seen them all)
• The most suburbs (two) of any small town Highway 11 town (take that, King Kirkland or Geraldton East)
• The most truckstops per capita (or so I’ve calculated, roughly)
• The biggest woodpile on Highway 11 (I’ve seen them all too)
Trust me. When it’s not getting snowbombed, Hearst’s downtown is super cute. The problem is that it gets hammered all the time.
Heck, I’ve been to Hearst three times. Most of the photos here are from the first time that I hadn’t been snowed in (because it was August.) Both other times, I was stuck for three days in storms even that locals found nasty.
Set on the Mattawishkwia River, Hearst is a forestry town (hence the massive woodpile.) It also has a tourism industry set around hunting, outfitters, and its proximity to three Provincial Parks: Fushimi Lake, Missinaibi and Nagagamisis. It is also the end of the Algoma Line, which runs fall colours rail tours from Sault Ste. Marie to Hearst.
Despite its francophone heritage, Hearst was once the site of a Slovak settlement. Bradlo, nestled 11 kilometres south of Hearst, the community persisted until the 1950s when the residents realized that the land was agriculturally marginal, and wouldn’t support farming in a modern economy.
Hearst is so cool, this wolf vs. moose sculpture doesn’t even count as their “some big weird thing”…
…instead, this does!
Food and Fun in a Frontier Town
Hearst is a center for most of the little communities west of Kapsukasing, and is the largest town between Thunder Bay and Kapsukasing on Highway 11. And probably for Hornepayne on Highway 631, about an hour and a half south. (Head off-route and take a trip along 631 here.)
I’ve used this photo about a twenty-two times on this website and it never gets old
Therefore, Hearst has an abundance of services. It has the only McDonald’s and Tim Horton’s that you’ll see until Thunder Bay. In addition to the 24-hour garage and towing company that is advertised throughout northern Ontario, there are shops downtown and food everywhere. Hearst also has an overabundance of places that serve Northern Ontario Chinese Food.
Hearst has something for everyone – the northern ‘hotel’ scene (the Waverly or the Windsor), cafés (although Café Duo doesn’t serve coffee, go figure), fast food (McDonald’s, KFC, Subway, and the only Pizza Pizza west of Timmins), authentic chip stands (Micko’s is great), sit down restaurants (Mom’s, John’s, Pizza Place has ok pasta), fine dining (you can find filet mignon, steak, and Cuban cigars at Ailleurs), and even a little night club (OK, fine, it’s the bar at the Companion.)
Highway 11 in Hearst, getting walloped, again
There are motels aplenty in Hearst so you should have no trouble finding a place to stay. (A note to those staying at the Queens Motel, keep your kids away from the funny channels at the end of the TV dial there!) There is also hockey in the winter – in fact, Hearst is the hometown of Claude Giroux, Philadelphia Flyers superstar, as well as Pierre LeBrun, a hockey commentator who has appearanced on TSN, ESPN, and Hockey Night in Canada. Hearst is home to the local team les Elans de Hearst. And, there is bowling.
Come on, it’s northern Ontario. Of course there is bowling!
Hearst – simply the best woodpile of any Highway 11 community
And this is what happens to a woodpile on Highway 11, in Hearst (Credit: Wiki Commons contributor P199)
Not sure why I took a photo of Hearst’s airport
I was reading that paragraph about the Hearst Lumber Kings, and Remembered the famous hockey players of our time, was Bummer Doran
I went to school with his son Billy (the red haired freckle kid who’s mother worked in the Waverley Inn as a cook)
My Brothers Ian, Robert, Joseph, Walter and Charlie
and I live at 907 Front Street 3rd floor in 1958 across the road from Gannon’s White Rose Stn,
It was the Best years of our Life
my older brother Walter was in High School and our oldest brother was a pressman @ the Northern Citizen Newspaper of Stanley Orr
my younger brothers and I went to Clayton Brown School 4 room school and being ambitious I worked a lot for AC Smith, in his store on George and up at the golf course at Lake St Theresa, near the old POW camp
I see lots of my old buddy’s still live in Hearst, Eric V, Killer K, Alan J and I have been back since then driving thru and by train, I sure miss the train service and the sleeping car porter Bob Phillips.
My dad, always took us to eat at the 2 Chinese restaurants The Star Cafe (famous for Chop Suey), there was also a Star Cafe in Kap at the same time and the one behind the house the Deluxe (Real Chinese food) I think. My friend Bing who’s parents owned the Deluxe, when he grew up, moved to Nassau Street in Toronto
Yes husband use to go moose hunting up there at that time In 1968-69 he can’t remember the motels name back in that time, but said it was pretty nice I think it might have been the only one. That you signed in does any one happen to know the name back in the 69-69 Ara lol or pictures of it just might go visit
Buy game accounts cheap
My sister and I have been back to Hearst the last few summers to visit some old friends. I can tell you that it still looks the same as it did when we left over 30 years ago. What a great place to grow up with so many good and generous people that still live and work there. My sister Wendy and I look forward to going back to visit again soon and to enjoy the Northern hospitality. See you all again very soon, still have a lot of old friends to see. Ed Johnston
My mom;s family built the original Waverly Hotel. She use to share stories of her childhood, the convent, school and how they built the hotel. My grandfather (Robert Sharp) was with the OPP and stationed there for several years. My mom’s name was Dorothy W. Sharp. Would love to get in touch with anyone with any information that would help me fill in many of her childhood years. Her brother, Joe Sharp married another resident of Hearst, Rose Trombly (not sure of the spelling) They lived not far from the hotel in a home that had a corner to corner glassed in front porch.
My 1st job was at the Waverley Hotel when I was 16 years old making toast to the business men when they took the train each morning . My family lived in Ryland where I went to school . Worked at the Star Cafe & Nevala’s store , then went to the bush camps ,Northern Paper at Hanson along the Soo train line .I met my husband there among 60 men & married at the United Church in Hearst in 1952 .Lovely to see these old photos & comments , sure takes me back sentimentally !
My dad was with the OPP, and we transferred there around 1958-1961, or thereabouts. His name was Ambrose (Tiny) Shulist.
I remember there was a house trailer in the back yard with another OPP living there, he was tall and slim. “ Ringette” seems to ring a bell, lol.
I believe the Waverley Hotel was about a block or so east of the detachment at that time, unless my kid memories are confused, and it’s a different hotel.
I do remember the water tower was across the road from the OPP. Not sure if the present day water tower is in the same location or not.
I wonder if your grandfather was in Hearst around the same time frame as my dad?
We lived in the apt above the combination detachment, court room and jail.
My dad was transferred out around 1961 or so for Niagara Falls.
I’m presently in London, On.
Feel free to contact me if I can be of help. Unfortunately my mom, Patricia, has passed so I can’t pick her brain.
In 1945 me and my two brothers were sent to the Hearst Convent. My mother was a camp cook for Fontaine Lumber which was once owned by her father and then her nephew. My memory of Hearst a few years later, was a town with many bootleggers patronized with lumber jacks and aboriginals. There was one theater, one bank, school and a church, one Chinese restaurant and many hotel bars.
One of my brothers and I went to visit Hearst last summer for sentimental reasons.
We were so amazed at the progress of the town, a University,a museum, a Welcome Center, etc. I am proud of Hearst to day.
I am looking for some information of a friend from my mother. His name is John Wilfred Leonard Johnston. Does anybody know him?
I was born in a small community named Jogues south of Hearst on the Algoma Railway and move to Mosher where my dad worked for the Newago Timber Company. Move to Hearst when I stared high school in 1963 and left in 1969 for College. I visit Hearst once a year in the summer to see my mom and visit with family.
Just wanted to add that Hearst does have a great curling club and over the years have had many a great bonspiels in the new and old club!
I was born and raised 14 miles west of Hearst(Fushimi Lake Lodge). Worked as an RPN at the Notre Dame Hospital, then went into Ambulance, then Paramedic. Left Hearst in 1976 to work in several different areas before settling down in Mattawa. Now we spend our winters in Florida.
I was looking at the Hearst,Ont.blog when I seen your name and was very surprised . Brought back memories from 1962 when my family & friends camped out in front of your fathers lodge . And traveling down the Valentine river to lake Fushimi to fish.The next year we rented the cabin on the lake. I remember you & your younger brother coming to the lake in a canoe .I have continued returning to lake Fushimi many times over the years staying at the Provincial Park. My family & I have had many great memories there.Hope all is well with you & yours. Kenny
Both my boys were born there but they left before they five and have never been back.
Came to Hearst for one year in 1981 and I guess I forgot to leave……..still working here and going strong….lol
Was born in Hearst in 1959, moved to Timmins when i was 5., have 3 older sisters Carolyne, Suzanne and Denise . My father Blackie Cloutier was well known in Hearst. We lived on main street in the company house my father worked for Celine Lumber. Lots of good memories, would love to ho back one day
What was the name of your parents? I lived in Hearst also. Since I am doing the genealogy of everyone who lived and still live in Hearst and areas during that time and still, I would be interested to add them to the list.
Please reply with my email:
juliette1954@homail.com
Thank you.
I was the opposite from you, I was born in Timmins in 1953, and moved to Hearst in about 1959 or so. My dad was an OPP and we lived in the apt. above the police detachment, court room and jails.
Not sure if the OPP detachment is in the same location now.
I do remember the water tower was across the road (hwy 11) from us.
We were only in Hearst for a few years, then my dad got transferred to Niagara Falls.
I have good childhood memories of living in Hearst, especially seeing the Northern Lights.
My mom used to say all she remembers is how muddy it was there.
My husband and myself both raised in Hearst and are very proud of this little but so friendly town! Hearst sera toujours notre Hometown ! Encore ma soeur et mon frere qui habitent la et sont aussi fiers de leur petite ville !
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My dad’s cousin was police chief in Hearst in 1929. His name was Eugene Desgroseilliers. Would appreciate any info or pictures anyone may have of him.
Mike DesGroseilliers
Oui, j’ai vecu a Hearst une grande partie de ma vie. J’ai eu beaucoup de plaisir dans les diverses activites sportives, soit le ballon-balai, la balle molle ou le ” ball hockey”. Durant les annes 1970 et 1980, il y avait beaucoup de danses et d’activites interessantes. Il ne faut pas oublier le College universaitaire, maintenant l’Universite de Hearst qui est une institution importante pour la petite localite. Bravo a tous ces gens qui ont faconne l’identite unique de ce ptit coin de pays.
YES ME TO I LIVE IN HEARST ONT I WORK AT THE POOL ROOM ON GEORGE ST WHEN IWAS YOUNG WORK AT THE QUEEN HOTEL DRIVING CAB FOR HEARST TAXI FOR LAMONTAGNE 4141 I LEFT WHEN MY WIFE WAS MURDERED IN COALSTOOK
Allô, je suis également née à Hearst, originalement de Hallébourg. J’ai déménagé dans le sud en 1985 où c’est majoritairement anglophone. Je peux vous dire que Hearst met resté collé dans la peau! Je suis tellement fière de parler de ma ville et de mon origine franco-ontarienne lorsque j’en ai l’occasion. Et comment j’apprécie avoir grandit avec des gens sympathiques. Hearst va toujours faire partie de moi. Merci!
Growing up in that small town made me to person I’m today good or bad I would not change it. My grand parents (Rouse) had a store in St Pie X on Rouse st . My mom (Muareen) worked at the local post office and my stepdad worked for Newago Forest my dad was a truck driver /cab driver/ bootlegger no secret . Growing up in the 5-10 % English made it interesting attended Clayton Brown Public school . We played outside till dark summer or winter enjoyed sledding and the chain of lakes. Lots of good memories and I am probably the only person ever to be thrown out of town (asked to leave). That’s what you get when you mix rookie OPP (with something to prove) with a small minority person with something more to prove. Fun Times
Hey Eddie, your mom and I were friends. 2 Maureens. lol… In fact we lived in your house!
When my son Mark was born we were in your house. Good memories for me there. How is Bridgette? Hope all is well with you. I live on Vancouver Island now, but still have family in Hearst!
little late on the response but yes everyone is well
Do you have a sister called Lorena
yes she lives in the US
I was born in Hearst and spent the first of my 15 years there, even though I wasn’t a hockey I got together with friends and played street hockey. I have fond of attending the only engish public school, I made some relly good friends who I still miss. I return as often as my disability allows me.
Hey Squamish BC – I’m curious who you are …. i also grew up in Hearst & now living in Squamish!! Small world.
Im 25 years old, born and raised in Hearst. I wouldn’t change a thing. I love this place and without a doubt plan on living here for the rest of my life. Et puis certainement que je parle le francais. Jai ete elever en francais par mon pere et ma mere, qui sont aussi local de naissance. Et ma vie de jours en jours est en francais.( plus le jo
– to correct / inform you on those few last pictures; the wood pile is for a lumber mill, tembec. That pile has actually 4 piles of tree lenght logs corded treetop to treetop.. and thats just the main yard. They have 2 very large side yards.. they make lumber of various lenghts and sizes.
As for that chipard photo. That is the Columbia forest products mill. They make plywood and presswood.
In the 90’s the Hearst area had 5 big mills;
-Tembec( used to be Mallette)
-Columbia forest products( previously Levesque lumber/ Levesque Plywood)
-Lecours Lumber
^^ all operational
Then
– tri-cept
-Excel(30min drive from hearst)
Talk about a 6000 habitant town running on forestry!
I lived in Hearst when I was 13 to 16 years old roughly and it was by some of my best years growing up…Playing hockey, and in elementary school, I made some really good friends that i am still in touch with today at 30 years old…we played golf and tennis every single day of the summer and hockey all winter steadely with so much fun. I had a group of friends and some girlfriends that I built great memories with that have a big place in my heart till this day. Believe it or not have a fond little story that I share with people today which is when I was about 15 years old living there tthis 11 year old kid or so would always be running around the block and doing pushups and had a great little name for himself already in the little sircle of hockey talk in town, and I vividly remember seimg him run around my block and ,he was kinda small and skinny but a little muscular and in obviouse good shape,and he lived a few blocks from where I lived ..and I approached him once as he stopped running near my house and I told him I think its amazing the work ethic he has and that if he keeps it up! He’ll probly make it to the NHL..the kid was cloud giroux. I’ll never forget that, and now he’s the captain of philly and a superstar and I got to witness and say that to a kid from my old block that actually did it and exCeed what I thought he could achieve from watching him work so hard from a young age.amazing, so anyway ,I had to move from there because of my fathers job (Canadian tire owner) …and I cried so much and I’ve never missed a town and the ppl there more than anything else in my life…Hearst has a big place in my Heart. 😀
Great story! I lived in Long lac for a few years and lived it there as well. Thx for sharing your story!
France
Hearst may be somewhat isolated but most who have lived there have fond memories. We were posted there twice for a total of 4 years. Our children made great friends, played lots of hockey. We also made great friends. With hockey, curling and much socializing, winters passed quickly. We were there however in the “frontier days”. There was no McDonalds or Tims, only a local pizza shop and the only places to shop were a People’s and Home Hardware. We will always remember the mesmerizing northern lights that would fill the sky on some very cold winter nights.
My father was an OPP officer who was posted to Hearst in 1980. We lived there for a total of 4yrs. I met some great people there and was lucky enough to meet up again with a couple of them about 10yrs later.
I remember the cold winters -60 now that is chilly but loving the outdoors it was all just part of the experience. I have not been back since but have nothing but good memories of my short years there, perhaps I will get an opportunity to visit again.
Wow, ma petite ville fait jaser beaucoup de gens, majoritairement en bien et quelques fois en moins bien. En ce qui me concerne, je suis née à Hearst en 1959 et y demeure toujours. J’adore ma ville natale pour sa tranquilité, son air pure, la nature et la faune qui l’entourent et les gens de la place. C’est certain qu’il peut y manquer un peu d’action pour une personne qui cherche des emotions fortes à tous les jours, mais on peut s’adonner à des activités sportives, culturelles et récréatives régulièrement et ce dans ma langue maternelle. And oh.. I do speak English too. Je suis fière d’être Hearstéenne.
It was great growing up in Hearst. Our volleyball and basketball team won a lot. Our skating precision team won bronze medal. Thank you to the Calweart familly that invested a lot of their time in figure skating. The wife of a chyro tought us gymnastic (sorry I don t remember her name). Hunting, fishing, camping was part of our hobbies. I don t miss hearing the snow cracking under my feet when I was walking to shcool. 😉
Do you have a sister Lorena?
Celine je suis certaine que j’etaus best friend avec ta soeur? Probablement dans les annee 76. Est-ce tu vivans sur le coin?
i moved to Hearst when i was about 18 months with my mom, brother and sister. stayed there til i went college in North Bay. i loved it and would move back any day. it is a small town atmosphere. i see comments everyone knows your business, they will if you keep spilling the beans. you mind your own business and it wont happen. good memories, wining the softball championship, played for Real s sport shop wew were a bunch of 17-18-19 year olds, we beat the odds. enjoy the hockey alot of strong teams in a small little town. our highschool always had a good hockey team. one year we won the all Ontario volleyball championship….it was a great team. still have alot of family there. go back at least once a year, enjoy spendign xmas there……loved the town and people