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History Historical Geography

Nipissing

Historic Waterway, Wilderness Playground

by (author) Françoise Noël

Publisher
Dundurn Press
Initial publish date
Jan 2015
Category
Historical Geography, General, Economic Development
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781459724396
    Publish Date
    Jan 2015
    List Price
    $28.99
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781459724419
    Publish Date
    Jan 2015
    List Price
    $14.99

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Description

2016 Louise de Kiriline Lawrence Award — Shortlisted
2015 Speaker's Book Award — Shortlisted

Explore the history of tourism in the Nipissing Passageway, from Mattawa to Georgian Bay, beginning with Champlain’s voyage in 1615.

In the nineteenth century, while the hope of building a Georgian Bay Ship Canal remained elusive, promotional efforts were made by the railways to market the area as a “sportsman’s paradise.” In the early twentieth century, Ontario began to build roads to lure American motorists to the area. In Nipissing, Françoise Noël demonstrates how these efforts led to the early appearance of cottagers in the French River area and the rise of local outfitters. Places of interest include Quintland, named for the famed Dionne Quintuplets, which was seen as a “pilgrimage” site and saw resort expansion through to the post-war recovery.

A look at the Nipissing area today reveals that, for many, it remains a wilderness playground.

About the author

Françoise Noël is a professor of history at Nipissing University. Through her photography and by visiting local scenic spots she has became intimately familiar with the Nipissing area. Françoise is the author of Family and Community Life in Northeastern Ontario. She lives in North Bay, Ontario.

Françoise Noël's profile page

Awards

  • Short-listed, Louise de Kiriline Lawrence Award
  • Short-listed, Speaker's Book Award