1905 - 1906

The city's pioneers were enthusiastically supporting a major business enterprise during the 1905-06 period - a proposed $1,000,000 mining smelter at Trout Lake. This picture, although indistinct, shows an illustrious gathering at an important event - the laying of the corner stone for the smelter. North Bay's founder, John Ferguson, took the picture and was toastmaster for the occasion. Some of those whose names are known include, in the bottom row: O. Larocque, a farmer and butcher; Duncan McBeth, Widdifield reeve; Dr. Miller, a veterinarian; J.H. Dixon, a broker; Sheriff Varin. Second row: Thomas Sache, Widdifield township clerk; A.J. Young, wholesale grocer; Thomas Begg, Merchant; Rev. Stewart, Methodist Church; Mayor David Purvis, hardware merchant; Hon. Frank Cochrane, Minister of Crown Lands; J.H. Black, T and NO railway official; Robert Rankin, merchant; John Moffat, Manager of the Bank of Nova Scotia; John Stephens, Manager of the Trader's Bank; and Charles Begg, merchant. Third row: A.G. Davies, newspaperman; A.C. Syer, baker; A.C. Rorabeck, druggist; John Palangio, contractor; J.M. McNamara,lawyer; Fourth row: George Souter, contractor; J.A. House, merchant; Norman Phelps, proprietor of The North Bay Times; Mr Limoges, post office inspector; Top row: Myles Bourke; John McCallum, CPR shopman; M.G.V. Gould, lawyer; Dr. Brandon; W.I. Johnston and Dr. A.E. Ranney.

Photograph courtesy of S a n d r a (M o s e l e y - W i l l i a m s) R o b e r t s