By Lindsay Davies, I’ve Been Bit
North Bay is a hidden gem in Northern Ontario. The city has a unique history along with plenty of outdoor adventure, though that’s not all North Bay has to offer! It has a budding arts and culture scene that’s changing the landscape of the city. North Bay is a sailor’s (and paddler’s) delight thanks to beautiful Lake Nipissing and Trout Lake and foodies certainly won’t go hungry with their menagerie of fantastic restaurants. Plus its location on the shores of Lake Nipissing means there’s no shortage of waterfront views!
Known to be the traditional territory for the Anishinaabe People, these lands have been home to Nipissing First Nation for centuries. Its location along the Mattawa River, connecting to the Ottawa River, made it an important destination along the historic voyageur routes. However, North Bay didn’t start to boom until it started to develop as a railroad centre with the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1882 and later the Canada Central Railway as well as the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway.
While this boom didn’t last, North Bay grew in unexpected ways over the years. From the Dionne Quintuplets to the strategic placement of an air base by the Royal Canadian Air Force, North Bay certainly has a fascinating history… and that’s just a small hint of what there is to uncover within the city.
