Fort Frances, Ontario, is a charming town nestled in the heart of Northwestern Ontario, Canada. As the seat of the Rainy River District, it boasts a population of 7,466 as of the 2021 census. Known for its rich history, stunning landscapes, and popular fishing spots, Fort Frances is a must-visit destination for history buffs and nature lovers alike.
Fort Frances holds the distinction of being the first European settlement west of Lake Superior. Established by French Canadian Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, sieur de La Vérendrye, the town was initially a fur trading post named Fort Saint Pierre in 1731. Over the years, the fort fell out of use, and in 1817, the Hudson's Bay Company (HBC) built a new fort, which was named after Frances Ramsay Simpson, the wife of the Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company.
The town was incorporated in 1903 and celebrated its centennial in 2003. The main employer in the town was a pulp and paper mill established in the early 1900s. However, the mill closed its operations in 2014. Today, the town is known for its mining industry, with Canadian mining company New Gold commencing operations in 2017.
Fort Frances, Ontario, is well-connected with various transportation options. The town is served by the Fort Frances Municipal Airport and the Fort Frances Water Aerodrome. The nearby Falls International Airport offers flights to Minneapolis–Saint Paul by Delta Connection.
The town is connected to Kenora via Highway 71, while Highway 11 provides connections to Devlin, Emo, and Rainy River to the west, and Atikokan and Thunder Bay to the east. The Canadian National Railway also travels into Fort Frances with freight traffic only.
Fort Frances experiences a humid continental climate, with cold winters and warm summers. The town, along with Atikokan, holds the record for the highest temperature ever recorded in the province of Ontario, with the mercury climbing to 42.2 °C (108.0 °F) on 13 July 1936.
As per the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Fort Frances had a population of 7,466 living in 3,451 of its 3,779 total private dwellings. The median household income in 2015 for Fort Frances was $62,928, which was below the Ontario provincial average of $74,287.
The city coat of arms of Fort Frances features a bull moose, maple leaves, a "Magneto" representing electricity (industry), two men in a canoe, a white pine tree, and the motto "Industry and Perseverance."
Fort Frances, Ontario, is home to a variety of cultural attractions and recreational activities. The Fort Frances Museum and the Fort Frances Library and Technology Centre offer a glimpse into the town's rich history. The Border Land Arts Alliance and Tour de Fort are popular cultural events.
Outdoor enthusiasts can explore Point Park, LaVerendrye Parkway, and the 8th Street Walking & Ski Trails. The town also hosts the annual Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship, attracting fishing enthusiasts from all over. The Scott Street Shopping District, Kitchen Creek Golf Club, and Heron Landing Golf Course are other notable attractions in the town.
