Below is a list of events that took place in Ontario and have had a substantial impact on Canada’s Industrial History. All information for these events can be found by clicking on the event; you will be redirected to Parks Canada’s website.
Building of the St. Clair Tunnel. Sarnia, Ontario. The St. Clair Tunnel was the first subaqueous tunnel in North America. Built in 1889-1891 to link the Canadian mainline of the Grand Trunk Railway with Chicago.
Construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Iroquois, Ontario. The creation of this seaway transformed shipping on the St. Lawrence River by allowing ocean-going Vessels access to the Great Lakes.
Discovery and Development of the McIntosh Apple. 11530 County Road 18, Dundela, Dundela, Ontario. In 1811, John McIntosh discovered an apple sapling on his land in Matilda township. A number of well-known hybrids emerged from this discovery.
First Cheese Factory. Charles Street West, Ingersoll, Ontario. The first cheese factory in Canada was established in the county of Oxford in 1864. The foundation of Canada’s Dairymen was established in Ingersoll in 1867.
First Sault Ste. Marie Canal. 75 Huron Street, Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
Forest Industry in the Ottawa Valley. Ottawa, Ontario. For more than a century, the Ottawa Valley was one of the most important regions in Canada for producing forest products.
Frontier College. 35 Jackes Avenue, Toronto, Ontario. When the college was established in 1899, it was the only national, non-denomination organization to provide education to workers in remote parts of Canada.
Grain Transshipment at the Lakehead. Thunder Bay, Ontario. In the 20th century, the Lakehead (Fort William and Port Arthur) was one of North America’s major centres for the storage, processing, and shipping of Prairie grain designated for foreign markets.
Great Lakes Fisheries. Port Dover, Ontario.
Hogg’s Hollow Disaster. Sparked sensitivity and garnered public attention to the problem of workplace safety and immigration exploitation in the construction industry.
National Farm Radio Forum. 250 Front Street West, Toronto, Ontario. This national radio program introduced interactive distance education to rural audiences.
Passenger and Packet Freighters on the Upper Great Lakes. Until the mid-20th century, passenger and packet freighters were the most efficient means for transporting goods and people to and from isolated communities of the Upper Great Lakes.
Red Fife Wheat. 104 Lang Road, Keene, Ontario. Discovered in 1842 by David Fife, it was an early maturing and high quality variety of wheat. It opened up the grain potential of the West.