MP-0000.732.2 | Main Street, Golden City, Porcupine, ON, ca. 1910
Main Street, Golden City, Porcupine, ON, ca. 1910
About 1910, 19th century
Ink on paper mounted on board - Halftone
7 x 11.2 cm
MP-0000.732.2
© McCord Museum
Description
Keywords: Cityscape (3948) , Print (10661)
Keys to History
While silver mining in Cobalt was reaching its peak, hundreds of prospectors were working the area around Porcupine Lake. A few of them discovered gold. The Timmins brothers, rich from the Larose mine, rushed to buy promising claims, even at high prices. With their partners, they founded the Hollinger mine, one of the biggest gold mines in Canada. Mining companies set up at other sites in the immediate area, which within a few years became known as Timmins. The simplicity of the gold-separation process, developed at the turn of the 20th century, allowed many businesses to start up and strike it rich.
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What
A few hastily built houses along the main street in Porcupine stand side by side with tents that served as temporary dwellings, even in winter.
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Where
Connection of the Porcupine Lake area to the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario line, in July 1911, considerably reduced the costs of equipment and food, and encouraged the arrival of an ever-volatile workforce.
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When
The same year as the train arrived, 1911, a short time after this photograph was taken, a forest fire destroyed the mining camps, claiming 73 lives, according to official records.
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Who
Cobalt made fortunes for some businessmen, but was also the development site for new production techniques and a skilled labour force that helped expand mining throughout northern Ontario and Quebec.
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