Thunder Bay

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Introducing Thunder Bay

First impressions of Thunder Bay can be a little jarring. After hours of driving between an ethereal coastline and majestic forests, the concrete collection of industrial relics feels quite out of place. The two distinct downtown cores act like polar magnets repelling attempts at gentrification. However, below the gritty surface, expansive Thunder Bay has a warm small-town vibe. The city itself doesn’t offer heaps of attractions, but it makes for an excellent base to explore the nearby historical and natural sites.

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The Ojibwe have inhabited the region for centuries, even millennia. Europeans arrived in the 1600s, but it wasn’t until 1803 that things really started to get rolling. The British erected Fort William as the trading hub for the lucrative North West Company (beaver-pelt central). Soon after, a rival settlement popped up 5km up the road. Port Arthur was more mining-centric, until it became a shipping center for prairie grain. The metallic granaries continue to line the seaboard.

It was only in the late 1960s that the neighboring towns merged into one city, choosing the name Thunder Bay from the aboriginal name of the region, Animikie, meaning ‘thunder.’ Today the city makes a worthy (and obligatory) stopover for trans-Canada travelers. Consider spending a couple of days in this isolated town – you’ll be surprised to find that first impressions aren’t always lasting impressions.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009

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  1. jo_shmo492 avatar
    Road trip from Toronto to Calgary in November

    by jo_shmo492 02 September 2011

    Hello all. I am spending the coming winter in Canada and want to base my self initially in Alberta at one of the ski resorts. But I…
  2. Polyhymnia61 avatar
    RE: Uniquely Canadian foods

    by Polyhymnia61 22 August 2011

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  3. battybilly avatar
    RE: A Canadian road trip!

    by battybilly 19 August 2011

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