North Bay, a city in Northeastern Ontario, Canada, is a gem nestled on the shore of Lake Nipissing. As the seat of Nipissing District, North Bay has a rich history and a vibrant community. The city is conveniently located 300 kilometres from both Ottawa and Toronto, making it an accessible destination for travellers.
The site of North Bay is part of a historic canoe route where Samuel de Champlain journeyed up the Ottawa River, through present-day Mattawa, to Trout Lake and via the La Vase Creek to Lake Nipissing. The area remained relatively quiet until the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in 1882, which marked a significant turning point in the city's development.
North Bay was incorporated as a town in 1891, with John Bourke serving as its first mayor. The city grew through a strong lumbering sector, mining, and the three railways. In 1925, North Bay was incorporated as a city, and in 1968, it amalgamated with West Ferris and Widdifield townships.
The city also played a significant role during the Cold War, with its airport serving as an important military location. Today, North Bay continues to thrive, offering a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
North Bay is geographically unique as it straddles both the Ottawa River watershed to the east and the Great Lakes Basin to the west. The city's urban core is located between Lake Nipissing and the smaller Trout Lake. North Bay is critically situated at the junctions of Highway 11 and Highway 17, making it a major transportation centre for Northern Ontario.
The climate in North Bay is typical of most places in Northern Ontario. It tends to be less humid than Southern Ontario due to its distance from the Great Lakes and slightly cooler due to the cooling effect of Lake Nipissing.
North Bay has been a popular location for film productions. In 1942, "Captains of the Clouds" was filmed in the city, and more recently, the 2013 horror film "The Colony" and the 2014 thriller film "Backcountry" were shot here. The city has also hosted television productions, including the comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall's mini-series "Death Comes to Town."
North Bay is home to a variety of neighbourhoods, each with its unique charm. These include Birchaven, Camp Champlain, Champlain Park, Cooks Mills, Eastview, Feronia, Gateway, Graniteville, Hornell Heights, and many more.
North Bay has ambitious plans for its waterfront. The city has already developed a mile-long waterfront park/promenade along the Lake Nipissing shoreline adjacent to the downtown core. The city is now working on a new multi-faceted community park on the former Canadian Pacific Railway yards.
North Bay offers numerous recreational and leisure areas, including over 72 sports fields and parks, a marina on Lake Nipissing that holds 270 boats, numerous trails, and 42 beach access points on both Lake Nipissing and Trout Lake.
North Bay is served by the North Bay/Jack Garland Airport, which also receives and services military flights on behalf of the adjacent CFB North Bay. The city also operates a public transit system, North Bay Transit.
In the 2021 Census of Population conducted by Statistics Canada, North Bay had a population of 52,662. The city is diverse, with 11.7% of the population being Indigenous and 4.4% being visible minorities.
North Bay has a sister city relationship with Moncton, New Brunswick, fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding.
Discover the charm of North Bay, Ontario, a city that beautifully blends history, culture, and natural beauty.
