Larder Lake, Ontario, is a captivating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty. This incorporated municipal township and dispersed rural community is nestled in the Timiskaming District in Northeastern Ontario, Canada. Larder Lake is conveniently located along Ontario Highway 66 and Ontario Highway 624, at the north-western part of the lake bearing the same name. The township spans an area of 229.65 km2 (88.67 sq mi) and includes the geographic townships of Hearst, McVittie, and Skead.
The history of Larder Lake, Ontario, is deeply intertwined with the discovery of gold. The area was originally reported to have gold in the late 1800s by Chief Ignace Tonené of the Temagami First Nation. Despite his claim being stolen and unaided by Indian Affairs, his legacy lives on with Chief Tonenè Lake named in his honour.
The discovery of silver in Cobalt, Ontario, in 1903 led prospectors to search across northern Ontario for new finds. The discovery of gold led to 4,000 claims by the winter of 1906 and the eventual development of the Omega (1936-1947), Chesterville gold mine (1938-1952), and Kerr Addison gold mines (started in 1936).
H.L. Kerr explored the Larder Lake area in 1904, but did not find gold. He returned with his partner Bill Addison in 1906, and discovered traces of gold near the north arm of Larder Lake, next to Robert Reddick's claims. Within months, 40 gold mining companies were established, and there was tremendous optimism and financial speculation.
The gold rush in Larder Lake, Ontario, was marked by a wave of optimism and financial speculation. An advertisement in the Ottawa Citizen in 1907 stated: "The Larder Lake district is believed to be the richest gold country ever known, and it is just now being opened up. Soon will commence the most tremendous outpouring of gold known to civilization."
Three-thousand men made their way to the area via canoe and portage to look for work, settling in a camp known as "Larder City". However, the excitement led to disappointment, as no large deposits of gold were found, and most of the town was abandoned by 1911. The Kerr-Addison Gold Mine, between 1907 and 1911, was able to produce just $314 worth of gold, though that small output was used to mint Canada's first $5 gold pieces.
In 1936, a large gold deposit was discovered in Larder Lake, leading to the establishment of several productive mines. In total, 13 million ounces of gold were produced in the area. Ontario Highway 66 was built in the 1930s to connect the various mining towns in the region. The highway connected Larder Lake to Kirkland Lake in the west, and to other mining communities to the east. The section between Kirkland Lake and Larder Lake was paved in 1944.
Despite the ups and downs, Larder Lake, Ontario, has always been a community of resilience. From the devastating fire that destroyed the Lakeshore Hotel in 1938 to the Catholic church catching fire in 1947, the community has always bounced back. In 1952, the Larder Lake Fire Department took first place in a regional competition of the Timiskaming Firemen's Association, beating 22 other fire brigades.
Today, Larder Lake, Ontario, is a thriving community. In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, Larder Lake had a population of 745 living in 352 of its 440 total private dwellings, a change of 2.1% from its 2016 population of 730. With a land area of 227.62 km2 (87.88 sq mi), it had a population density of 3.3/km2 (8.5/sq mi) in 2021.
Larder Lake, Ontario, is more than just a historical gold mining town. It's a testament to the resilience of its people and the enduring allure of its natural beauty. Whether you're a history buff, a nature lover, or simply looking for a unique travel experience, Larder Lake, Ontario, is a destination worth exploring.
