Longlac is approximately half way between Toronto and Winnipeg, and is 320 kilometres from Thunder Bay. So for me, on one particularly longish trip, making it to Longlac was kindofabigdeal.
There is nothing between Hearst and Longlac save for maybe a gas station (and I mean maybe) and the Klotz Lake washroom/swimming combo rest station on the side of the road. The drive seems. to. take. for. ever. (ok I think I got my point across, it’s probably not that bad.)
Longlac’s fur trader welcome statue was somehow both cheesier and cooler in person
So, for me at least, the oncoming arrival of Longlac was a big deal – finally, the end of this 200 kilometre stretch of nothingness…! It’s no surprise that the town’s Protestant church is named St. John-in-the-Wilderness. And it wasn’t founded in the fur trading days either – this was founded ‘in the wilderness’ in, wait for it, 1943.
Today, Longlac is a former paper and forestry town trying to reinvent itself in a difficult economy and represents the westernmost edge of northern Ontario’s francophone belt – just under half its residents are French-speakers. Hence the local caisse.
Not immediately evident that this guy is supposed to pull logs
When you get into the town you’re immediately greeted by a horse statue and two beached boats. The horse is pulling logs (which you can’t see unless you climb up the little hill to the statue itself.) I think the boats are supposed to carry logs too. They seem to be the remains of a former miniputt course. It’s too bad it can be a bit confusing to the visitor.
Also not immediately evident that this is supposed to pull logs too
Longlac has a long history. Prior to 1800 the town was a North West Company trading post. In 1814, the Hudson Bay Company set up a rival post, and in the spirit of modern commercialism the two merged in 1821. There is a historical plaque with a statue of two guys in a canoe, representing the role of Aboriginal peoples and fur traders in building Longlac. There’s also a town history board back at the tourist office/former mini putt site.
Longlac used to be a mill town but today, no mills operate in Longlac. All three have shut down in the last few years. “Founded on fur, sustained by the forest” is Longlac’s motto, and considering that the forestry industry is contracting in northern Ontario, you have to wonder what a town of 1200ish will find to sustain itself. What other jobs can there be in the area? How long before parents have to start working in Alberta? It is communities like Longlac that you really feel for – they’ve survived this long.
Forestry Road – Longlac, Ontario’s main drag…don’t hit the light posts! (Credit: User P199 at Wiki Commons)
Longlac’s main strip is Forestry Road, which runs perpendicular to Highway 11. It has a row of streetlights right in the middle of the road, which practically invites you to play a game of bumper cars with your vehicle. What happens if you have to swerve for a dog?
Longlac has the requisite truck stops and third tier franchises of a Highway 11 town, with places like Robin’s Doughnuts and 2 for 1 Pizza. There’s an LCBO outlet, a bed and breakfast (Lily’s), and what seems like the newest Rexall pharmacy in Canada. (It is so shiny and suburban that it looks a bit out of place.)
Abandoned mini putt in Longlac, Highway 11. I thought the horse and boat belonged to the mini putt!
Seriously? This is northern Ontario after all.
I hope to visit again. Maybe someone can send me an email and let more know a bit more so I can add it here.
I spent almost two years in Longlac 1966/7, as a child. My father was the local doctor (Dr Mainman). I’m planning a trip to Longlac to show my two teenage sons where I spent part of my childhood, and gained such vivid memories. Looking forward very much to seeing it again.
I was born in Geraldton in 1953 and lived in Longlac until 1967 when my family moved to Neenah Wisconsin. My father, Robert Loughlan, worked for Kimberly Clarke. Both he and my brother Michael have died but my mother Eunice is 92
I see that you were born in Geraldton, ON in 1953. I remember that your family used to live in the townsite, and I remember Michael. You must have known my cousin, Gordon Steinert in Longlac as he lived in the townsite, too. He was born in 1950. He lives in Cairns, Australia, now and has worked in Australia as a geologist since around 1980.
hi! l am looking for an old friend,her name is Sherry Johnson(maiden) She went to Geraldton Composite High school in mid 70’s. Can anyone tell me if her family still lives in Lonlac, very much like to contact her.thanks
I lived in Longlac for 47 years. Her mom and sister still live in Longlac. I went to school with Sherry
Hi Jacques , would you know her contact number? Thanks
I GREW UP IN LONGLAC BUT MOVED AWAY TO HINTON, AB IN 1980. I HAVE GONE BACK EVERY YEAR UNTIL MY PARENTS PASSED AWAY. 1995-2010. I WAS JUST THERE A FEW WEEKS AGO AS MY YOUNGEST SISTER GISELE, PASSED AWAY JUNE 21, 2010 IN LONGLAC WHERE SHE HAD RETURNED TO RESIDE IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS.
I grew up in Long Lac but left to see what Western Canada was like, I ended up putting down roots in Alberta. I will be retiring soon and am looking forward to spending much of the time back in Long Lac the place I have always called home.
I’ve been going to Longlac on fishing vacations for 40 years. I haven’t been able to go for the last couple of years and miss it very much. Used to stay at White’s Long Acre Motel, then Northwood Lodging, then at Lochlomond Camp. The people and scenery make Longlac the best place on earth. I feel sorry for the residents trying to make ends meet in such a lousy job market. I hope something happens to create the jobs they need, and soon. God bless you all.
July-August 1962 I was in a Junior Forest Ranger Camp on Klotz Lake. It was in walking distance of Klotz Lake Camp and we would occasionally go over to pick up snacks there. From Google Earth, it appears that the JFR camp site is now owned by Klotz Lake Camp. (See a photo I put up a photo of the camp on Google Earth.) I remember trips to Longlac crowded into the back of a truck. Our favorite hangout was Ben’s Restaurant. Brenda Lee was usually the main choice on the jukebox. Once or twice we went to a community center to watch movies – it cost about a dime to get in. We were entertained by “The Little Rascals” and “Wind Across the Everglades.” Is Ben’s Restaurant still there?
no have never heard of it. where was it located or what was around it.
In 1966 I was in first grade in Longlac, I have a class photo with Ms. Madeleine Owca, Sylvie Thiboutot, Danny Ouellet, Helene Breton, Gisele Guitard. I would like to send you the photo and see if you can identify yourself. Thanks! denisrouimette@yahoo.com
seriously, I am still good friends with the Breton’s but have lost contact with most everyone else.
Hey Mark! You know we’re I can get a hold of Helen Breton? We were good friends in high school. Thanks
Wondering if anyone can enlighten me regarding POW camps in the area. My father was a POW for most of WW2 and had been at numerous camps throughout Canada. His diary mentions working for “Great Lakes Paper Co”,Hurket,ON, Black Sturgeon Camp 12. He enjoyed it there from Oct,1944 to Apr,1946. Prior to this camp he had worked in Nipigon, Camp 29. At that time he was paid 50 cents/bush cord as a cutter. Any info would be appreciated. I can be contacted by email. Thank you!
Mein Vater Johannes Gillert war ein paar Jahre in Longlac als Holzfäller (PoW) und hat uns Kindern viel erzählt und einige Fotos hinterlassen.
Wie hieß das Lager? Vorher war er im Auffanglager Lethbridge (133) bei Ozada.
My father Johannes Gillert was in Longlac for a few years as a lumberjack (PoW) and told us children a lot and left us some photos.
What was the name of the camp? Before that he was in the reception camp Lethbridge (133) near Ozada.
Hi, I wrote a book on Longlac Theresa Gold Mines, THE CIITY THAT WAS which you can freely download on Internet Site theresagoldmines.ca There are plenty of photos. My e-mail address is there: jlfortin@videotron.ca Best regards. Jean-Louis Fortin
im writing a post as a former resident of longlac,brothers danny,gordie,sisters rosemarie,gisela,i left the longlac area in 1979 to head out west to vancouver with my future wife diane we miss the area that were from longlac and atikokan currently we reside in kamloops b.c. myself working for cn as a locomotive engineer and diane as florist/owner of awesome blossom weddings & things in the summit mall.like to shout out to doug and joanne, robbie and francine gerald [buds] bolduc tony cargnelutti and of course paul & aggie
You can find my aunty Johanne Ferris on fb.
Hi everyone! Been reading the comments on Longlac! Very very interesting. My brothers used to work in the mines that way (Marathon), (White River) and i visited them there however was terrified of travelling the Trans Canada Highway. Now i was just wondering is there any funeral homes in Longlac or do you know of the one nearby as a friend of ours named Gaetan who lived in Longlac and worked there just passed away in a head on car collision on Friday. Just would like to see his obituary and pass it on to his beautiful friend who he met in New Liskeard this summer at our Biker\’s Reunion. he would be around 37 – 40. Does anybody have any information? If so would you please email me with the newspaper name and such. I would love to go visit Longlac and visit the POW camp, etc. one of these days. I found it very interesting in White River and Marathon. God Bless.
Yes, Skinner’s Acre is still in business – Tim Skinner and his wife, Linda, run the place. 807-876-2245. I’d be happy to have you at our camp too – Klotz Lake Camp – 50 kms outside Longlac to the east. Good luck!
Is Skinner’s Acre still in business in Longlac? Used to fish area lakes a long time ago.
Enjoyed the people and the area.
Jim
Hi I travel to long lac on occasion due to work, but anyhow I am wondering if anyone has heard of ghostly hauntings there or anything??? My friends and I have formed a Paranormal research group and are reaching out looking for haunted areas near thunderbay, our website is http://tbpra.webs.com any replys will help our group out very much. Check it out!!!!
I love going through this town on the train. The lake is awesome.
Just wondering if there is a cemetery in Longlac?
apparently my grandmother\’s nephew worked in the Lumber mill and was told that he is buried in Steven\’s Ontario.
His name is Martin Stanley McClelland
Stevens isn’t far from here. There a couple cemetaries here. I would think the one in Stevens would be hard to find unless someone knew exactly where it was. I would imagine it is pretty grown in.
Lloyd Rehel from Longlac on April 17, 2013 at 11:07 pm said:
On response to your request looking for information on your uncle Stanley McLeland….he is buriend in the Geraldton Grave Yard. Hope this helps you You oould contact the Geraldton Municipal Office at 808-854-1100 and ask any questions you may have and they should be able to direct you to the proper agency…Good Luck in your search.
yes on the way to Pamela Lake, my dad is still buried there
Hi everyone: If anyone is looking for info regarding POW camps, they should inquire to NEYS ontario provincial park. It is on the property that was Northern Ontario’s main POW camp 100 most POW’s where sent here then shipped out to remote bush camps. they have a scaled diarama of the camp plus many pictures. My wifes grandfather worked with the Lands and Forest dept with the POW. He passed before i found all this out. But I have camped there and it is absolutely a beautiful camp groud
I visited Longlac this past October. My son was a teacher at Eagles Nest school and I decided I wanted to see him in the classroom and spend Thanksgiving with him. I fell in love with this town. The beauty of the landscape was absoutley stunning. I met some wonderful children at the school and am hoping that they will do well in school.
I am hoping my son will go back to Longlac and teach as I would love to spend another Thanksgiving in the north.
I don’t know about that ! Long lac has changed a great deal.
Hi Tom Childs. There were work camps throughout the North, many North of Hurkett and near Nipigon. A friend of mine has a hand carved wood model of the Bismarck in a glass case made by the prisoners and given to his father who was a guard at the camps.
if there are any decendants of the Newton family… please contact me…e.mail noonie49@gmail.com or phone 250-845-2720
Tom, spoke to Mr. Mengleberg, he confirmed that they did indeed build canoes at his POW camp. He would have worked on them himself. You should contact him. email me at sylvie-lemieux@sympatico.ca.
There was more than one POW camp around Longlac during WWII. One between Geraldton and Longlac and the other down Long Lake. I have walked into the one between Ger. and Longlac. It is entirely possible that POW’s built a canoe as Paul M. can tell you that at the camp down Long Lake they built a small sail boat.
Message for Colleen Hinrichs from Prince George, I may be able to help you out on your request, wluloff@tbaytel.net
Trying to track grave or info on Mabel Pearl Richardson nee NEWTON, born 1899 or 1900 in Otter Lake QC, died 1941 of TB unknown location. Heard that her NEWTON family may have moved from Otter Lake to Longlac or possibly Kapuskasing early 1900’s. Thanks for any info.
Hi – I\\\’m trying to find out some information about my father, Gunther Rehfeldt, who was a prisoner of war in Canada from late 1941. I have some of his photos from the time he spent in Long Lac working in the logging industry. But now he has passed away I can’t ask him what year he was there and other details about his time as a POW. I know he did spend time at Medicine Hat too. If anyone has any information I would really appreciate it. thanks.
Hi Tom,
just letting you know that there is a Longlac resident who could help you. His name is Paul Mendelberg. He was a POW at the camp you refer to. He is a very healthy 90+ year old fine gentleman originally from Cologne Germany, still living here in Longlac with his lovely wife Aggy. I am certain he will be happy to answer your questions and have a good old chat about his experiences in this camp.
I was born in longlac(actually Geraldton) in 1942 to Alex and Sadie Galloway,both deceased Alex was employed by the Spruce Falls aka Kimberly Clarke until some time in the late 50`s when we relocated to Toronto.The tugs were used to haul rafts of logs to the saw mill and to terrace bay which was built by Spruce Falls to manufacture pulp for newsprint Check out the Terrace Bay website.. The horses were used the BUSH to haul the fallen trees to haulers etc.
I have maintained that the years I spent in Longlac were some of the best of my life. What a wonderful place to spend one`s youth.Longlac was indeed the home for some POWs who were kept in tow by the black flies and other wild life.
I also note that the galloway house on the lake was for sale a year or so ago nice place.
bye for now art galloway
Please help,I was born in Longlac in 1948 to Jim and Christine Mary Peters(nee Finlayson).I am currently looking for any family members.Looking for Richard Finlayson/Peters son of Christine Finlayson,Oliver Finlayson brother to Christine,Daisy Finlayson sister to Christine,Joe Finlayson.Lived on the Reserve in the mid – late 1970\’s. Christine\’s aunt Flossy Luloff passed away in the late 1970\’s.Any info would be of great help.
Hello, I grew up in Longlac On and moved away in the late 90’s. A lot of Finlaysons still live on reserve 58. I’m sure if you contact the band office at Longlake Res #58 they can help you to which relatives are still there. My history isn’t the greatest as I’m of the younger generation than my siblings. I remember Oliver, Joe, Steve, Josephine who have passed on. But have a lot of family members. Hope this helps. Grant Waboose.
hello my grand father is joe finlayson my grandmother is josphine finlayson my aunt is daisey and my uncle is oliver duncan and william you have alot of family here in 58 some moved to geraltion but if you look me up on face book we can talk more
my granfather joe and my nookamiss raised me since i was a baby so he is like my father but they passed years ago daisey is the only one left out of everyone i see her almost daily shes my close aunt i can get you guys in touch with eachother this is awsome i’ve been looking up my grandfathers side because i was told i was part irish
My great-grandmother was Agnes Finlayson, she married Robert Michano Sr at Pic River in 1921 and moved there. Agnes’ brother Emile had a daughter named Flora who married a Bertrand Wesley Luloff. Their son Wes has been helping me research the Finlayson family history. Another of Emile’s daughters, Jane Edna, married Alphonse Waboose. Keep in mind there is another Finlayson family at Long Lake band 58, but they are not related by blood originally, but rather through adoption by Agnes and Emile’s youngest sibling Michael Finlayson and his wife Barbara Desmoulins who adopted George Kashjins who then became George Finlayson. He married Marceline Wabos or Wabosian and they had 9 children.
Update on previous post. It turns out there was an error in the records and George Kashjins was NOT the George Finlayson mentioned above. That George Finlayson was in fact the son of John Finlayson and Catherine Dick. That John Finlayson was the brother of Agnes, Louise, Emile, Sarah, Flora, Catherine, Eliza, Duncan and Michel or Mike, their parents were Nick Finlayson and Jane Souliere. George was born in 1923, was a WW II Vet and former Chief at Long Lake #58. He died in 1998 and his wife was Marceline Waboose. I regret the misinformation and its a good reminder that when doing genealogical research always try to use the primary sources of information rather than records that were interpreted from the originals such as Father William Maurice’s compilation.
Hi James. Maybe you would be interested in consulting Internet Site theresagoldmines.ca where you can freely download THE CITY THAT WAS a book relating the story of a Longlac small Gold Mine, Regards Jean-Louis Fortin
Hi James. Maybe you would be interested in consulting Internet Site theresagoldmines.ca Regards Jean-Louis Fortin
Colleen can you email me directly at james_fortier at live dot com. I also descend from Finlaysons at Longlac, band #58. I see your family in the late Father William Maurice’s compilation and transcription of Indian Mission and Catholic Church registers for Longlac. It has your mother Christine with 5 children, John Richard 1942, Coleen1948, Linda Marlene 1949, Christine, no year written, and Gloria Susan 1946.
Hi my daughter Heather and I lived there for about four years from 1999 until 2004. It is a nice little town with very nice people, we made a lot of friends. Also we had a dog grooming business and a small pet store.
another guy that used to live there.born and raised there and lived in different parts of the country until about 31/2years ago.Had a logging company until like one gentlemen said force out by unreal demans. lived on margo lake which I still think is one of the most beautiful places to live in.once I retire I will return on a seasonal basis for fishing and hunting.as far as pows there is a sunken boat used by the pow along longlake and also remains from the camp down the lake. not sure what is left but I know last time I was there it was all there 5 years ago.if you want to find them bring your fishing rod on the way down.there are still some of the old pows living in town as well.can’t say enough about longlac but I loved it and would have never left if I didn’t have too. I also lived in front of the horse and boats(I agree with you all)the canoe and the buddies inside was enough. moral is down but it will bounce back just like everywhere else these days….one thing I will say is that people like the ontario government and buchanan,if they stay where they are now, move out because help is far from near……..(i’m being kind talking about them right now)
yes, there was definitely a POW camp just a few miles out of town in the bush. I remember seeing the POW’s on many occasions being marched through the town. I lived there from about 1943 to 1952 and at that time there were no street names.
Hey, I was surfing the net and came across you website regarding longlac, and thought I’d clear a few things up for you. So yes the hourse has to do with the logging industry and most of the people in town think it’s as stupid as you do. As for the tug boat, it was used way back when logging was done on the lakes, long lake is connected to most of the north through a river system that was used by loggers and that tug boat was one of the ones used, that hourse and tug boat weren’t there when the mini putt was, they were put there after the mini putt was taken down. As for the info center, it’s never open as Longlac is no longer concidered by the government as it’s own town, dispit all the efforts to stop the emalgimation from happening by the towns people. Also an intertesting bit of info is that the area was once a POW camp, I know this because one of the german pows returned to the area once the war was over and still lives there today. So the toursit info center is located outside Geraldton for the whole region (we all thinks it’s stupid too, but that wasn’t our choice)
As for the industry, as of now all the mills are shut down.
The street lights in the middle of main street, I agree stupid, and I really have no clue as to why the municipality did that. So far there hasn’t been any accidents.
For Mr. Tom Childs,
I lived in Longlac for 20 years, I now live in Ottawa where jobs exist, for now. Longlac has since shut down it’s third mill in January 2009. My father was among those who lost his job 2 years ago at Kimberly Clark, which had been taken over by an American company called Neenah Paper, when it came to contract negotiations, Neenah Paper put a deal on the table that they knew the employees would refuse, and so they went on strike. The Company took their pensions and left hundreds unemployed. My father has been lucky enough to find work, however, my parents have spent their entire life savings in the last 3 years trying to keep up with taxes and payments. Many have left their wives and children behind to make money in another Province, mostly Alberta. Things are still up in the air, no one knows what will become of Longlac. Anyways, you can contact the Town office by dialing 807-876-2316. They should have some information for you. I hope I was able to help a little bit.
it didn’t really help that after the Veilleux’s raped and pillaged the forest they sold out to Bucannan who quickly shut it all down. by the way the Veilleux’s lost ALL their money in Ottawa and went back to Thunder bay with nothing.
Hello,
I am doing research for the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough, Onario. Within our collection is a canoe reputedly made by german POWS from the Bismarck sinking in 1941.They were interned in Longlac, Ontario.
I am trying to verify this information. My challenge has been to find if there was a work camp in Longlac during World War 2. Also how many prisoners were there.
The official archives of both Canada and Germany does not give very specific information.
If you can help me in two regards I would appreciate it. I cannot find a website or address to write to the Town of Longlac and/or a local paper to ask for information. Also do you have any information which might shed some light on this inquiry.
The Canadian Canoe Museum has the largest collection of canoes and kayaks in the world.
I thank you for any help in this matter.
Sincerely yours,
Tom Childs
Collections Department
Canadian Canoe Museum
Peterborough, Ontario
Hi everyone! Hi Mom! I just had to say that! Anyway Longlacs is a nice town, who\’s idea was it to put street lights and curbes down the middle of main street…that guy should be fired, what a stupid, stupid idea.
So all or most of the companies are closed or on strike. People are trying to sell there houses some just leave. Some are waiting for that silver lining..I hope it\’s there! I hope the mines open up soon so that would create some much needed job. All n all Longlac is a nice place, I remember going fishing with Marianne. Her and I caught our limit every time we went fishing…them were good memories!