Misplaced Pages

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38-710: Highway 61 was added to the highway system on October 6, 1937, following the amalgamation of the Department of Northern Development into the Department of Highways. Prior to that it was known as the Scott Highway. The bridge over the Pigeon River was originally known as The Outlaw , as it was constructed without formal approval of the Canadian or American governments. Crossing the American border ,

76-562: A further 3,000 square miles (7,770 km ) to Abitibi. In addition, he sold timber limits to the Shevlin-Clarke Lumber Company (headed by the fellow Conservative James Arthur Mathieu ) for less than half the price they would have normally fetched, and the company later paid a fine of $ 1.5 million for breaching the Crown Timber Act . The transactions were criticized in a subsequent inquiry, in which

114-753: A lower elevation than Mountain Lake. South Lake is separated only by a narrow isthmus from North Lake in the Rainy River watershed . This isthmus is a part of the Northern (or Laurentian ) Continental divide , and is crossed by the Height of Land Portage . The fur-trading Voyageurs and coureurs des bois crossed this divide and travelled north and west downstream on the Rainy River and Winnipeg River to Lake Winnipeg , and thence to fur-producing areas of

152-747: The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness for 31.2 miles (50.2 km) until it drains into Lake Superior . The Pigeon is one of the larger rivers on Superior's North Shore . The Pigeon River originates from a chain of lakes along the US-Canada border, the highest of which, and furthest west, is Mountain Lake. Among the Pigeon's tributaries is the Arrow River of Ontario, which rises in South Lake, west of and at

190-528: The Kaministiquia River in British territory. The region was extensively logged for white and red pine in the early part of the 20th century. An "outlaw" bridge across the river was built by residents of Thunder Bay , Ontario, and opened on August 18, 1917, to permit access to Minnesota. The Canadian road leading to the customs and immigration facilities at the bridge was initially known as

228-626: The Kaministiquia River , connecting Thunder Bay and Fort William First Nation . A fire on October 29, 2013, prompted CN Railway to close the James Street Swing Bridge; while rail service resumed crossing later that week, the bridge remained closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. After lengthy negotiations and legal proceedings between the City of Thunder Bay, CN Railway and the Fort William First Nation,

266-607: The Mead Corporation , and a further 1,500 square miles (3,885 km ) to Abitibi Power and Paper Company although the Crown Timber Act required pulp limits to be sold by public tender. He declared, "My ambition has been to see the largest paper industry in the world established in the Province, and my attitude towards the pulp and paper industry has been directed towards assisting in bringing this about." After becoming Premier of Ontario in 1923, Ferguson reserved

304-560: The "Scott Highway" after lumberman William Scott, and was designated as King's Highway 61 in 1937. Later the Pigeon River Bridge was built downstream and the "outlaw bridge" was removed. The river's English name is a translation of the 18th century French name Rivière aux Tourtres or Tourtes derived after the passenger pigeon which was once prolific in this region. Howard Ferguson George Howard Ferguson PC (June 18, 1870 – February 21, 1946)

342-513: The $ 768,000 ($ 15.3 million in 2023) bridge cost. The bridge and the Canadian road approaching it fell under the jurisdiction of the Department of Highways (now the Ministry of Transportation) on April 1, 1937, and the Scott Highway became Highway 61 on October 6. The Outlaw was rebuilt as a steel truss structure in 1934 following several accidents. By 1962, construction

380-600: The 19th century, the river was a primary water route for fur traders , and even earlier, for Native Americans , leading to the Lake of the Woods and thence to western Canada and Hudson Bay . The Montreal -based North West Company had a post at the community of Grand Portage on the shore of Lake Superior until 1801 when difficulties with the U.S. government following the adoption of the Jay Treaty obliged it to relocate to

418-603: The AADT peaks at 17,200 vehicles. Highway 61 also forms a small portion of the Lake Superior Circle Tour , a tourist route of highways following the shoreline of Lake Superior . To the south, the tour continues along Minnesota State Highway 61; to the north it continues along Highway 17 towards Sault Saint Marie . The road that would become Highway 61 was first constructed in 1916. The Pigeon River Timber Company had cleared lands surrounding

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456-672: The Canadian northwest. Below South Fowl Lake, the Pigeon River alternates between navigable waters and cascades or waterfalls. As the river nears Lake Superior, the gradient increases, culminating in a spectacular gorge including two notable waterfalls: High Falls, at 120 feet (37 m) the highest waterfall in Minnesota, and Middle Falls. This gorge is included within both Grand Portage State Park in Cook County, Minnesota, and Pigeon River Provincial Park (9.49 km ) across

494-668: The Conservative Party upon the defeat of the Hearst government that year. In the 1923 election , the Ontario Conservative Party came to power under Ferguson's leadership by defeating the United Farmers of Ontario - Labour coalition government of Ernest C. Drury . The Conservatives won 75 of the 111 seats in the legislature. Ferguson's government encouraged private investment in industry and

532-691: The Department of Highways, announced plans for the Lakehead Expressway to be built on the western edge of the twin cities of Port Arthur and Fort William (which amalgamated in 1970 to form Thunder Bay). Construction began in the late 1960s and progressed rapidly. Following its completion by late 1970, Highway 61 was rerouted along it as far north as Arthur Street. The former route followed Chippewa Road, turned north on James Street and then east on Frederica Street. From there, it turned north along Ford Street and followed it and Kingsway to Highway 11 and Highway 17 at Arthur Street. This route

570-754: The Kemptville Nursery located in Ferguson's home town of Kemptville was renamed to the Ferguson Forest Center in honour of Ferguson. In December 1930, Ferguson left provincial politics to accept an appointment as Canadian High Commissioner in London . He was succeeded as party leader and premier by George Stewart Henry . From 1945 to 1946, he served as Chancellor of the University of Western Ontario . He also gave his name to

608-582: The Liberals, who until 1930 took a hard prohibitionist stance by opposing even regulated liquor sales and so alienated all but the most hardline temperance advocates. The Tories remained hostile to labour and immigrants and were not prepared to provide social relief when the Great Depression threw thousands out of work and into poverty. The Ferguson government also opposed federal government plans for an old-age pension . In September of 1949,

646-787: The Pigeon River Bridge is 480 kilometres (300 mi) west of the Sault Ste. Marie International Bridge and 480 kilometres (300 mi) east of the Fort Frances-International Falls International Bridge , and is near a visitor center. Highway 61 begins at the Ontario-Minnesota border at the Pigeon River; the road continues south to Duluth as State Highway 61 on the American side. Proceeding north from

684-486: The approval process would be too slow, and decided to construct the bridge regardless. "The Outlaw" bridge was opened by a travelling motorcade on August 18, 1917, finally permitting travel between Ontario and Minnesota. To the surprise of the Rotary Clubs, J. E. Whitson, Roads Commissioner of Northern Ontario, and Howard Ferguson , Minister of Lands, Forest and Mines, were present at the opening, and agreed to pay

722-687: The border in Thunder Bay District , Ontario. Its lower course also forms the northern boundary of the Grand Portage Indian Reservation . A 9-mile (14 km) portage , known as Grand Portage and used for hundreds of years by canoe travelers, bypasses these lower waterfalls and reaches Lake Superior a few miles from the mouth of the river. This historic area is protected as a part of the Grand Portage National Monument . Up to

760-477: The border, the route passes the customs station and curves to the north. Passing its former routing along Highway 593 , the highway curves eastward to avoid mountains. It zig-zags around a range of mountains, eventually turning northward and passing to the west of Cloud Bay. The highway continues north for 20 kilometres (10 mi) through Neebing , running between mountain ranges on either side. It rises at Moose Hill, meets Highway 608 and enters one of

798-556: The bridge was reopened to traffic in November 2019. Pigeon River (Minnesota%E2%80%93Ontario) The Pigeon River forms part of the Canada–United States border between the state of Minnesota and the province of Ontario , west of Lake Superior . In pre-industrial times, the river was a waterway of great importance for transportation and the fur trade . The Pigeon River flows in an easterly direction out of

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836-428: The commission reported: We are of the opinion that no officer, Minister or otherwise, should have the power to grant rights over large areas of the public domain at will without regard to Regulation; that power was never contemplated by the statutes; it does not at present exist, and should not be given to any individual. Such an arbitrary power subject to no control is obviously open to abuse. Ferguson became leader of

874-428: The development of the province's natural resources as a means of achieving prosperity. It was re-elected in the 1926 election with 72 seats and in 1929 with 90 seats. In 1911, Ferguson argued in the legislature that "no language other than English should be used as a medium of instruction in the schools of this Province" although that a significant proportion of the population was French-Canadian . Sectarian politics

912-569: The few agricultural areas in northwestern Ontario. Shortly thereafter, Highway 61 curves to the east, passing the southern terminus of Highway 130 along the way. It then enters the outskirts of Thunder Bay. The highway passes Chippewa Road, its former route through Thunder Bay , and returns to its northward orientation. It officially enters the city as it crosses the Kaministiquia River . The highway swerves east at Thunder Bay International Airport as it widens to four lanes then continues north, crossing Arthur Street. North of Arthur Street,

950-471: The government as a Prohibitionist candidate against the repeal of the law. Ferguson's Conservatives were re-elected with a slightly-reduced majority. In 1927, the government introduced legislation to establish the Liquor Control Board of Ontario and to allow the sale of alcohol by government-owned and operated liquor stores. That moderate stance on temperance allowed the government to isolate

988-718: The highway is also known as the Thunder Bay Expressway . It continues north for 3 km (1.9 mi) and ends at the Harbour Expressway and Trans-Canada Highway . The northernmost section in Thunder Bay is a four-lane, undivided expressway . The remainder of Highway 61 is a conventional two-lane highway. Traffic volumes along the southern portion of the highway are generally low, with an annual average daily traffic (AADT) of 1,000 vehicles. This increases progressing north; within Thunder Bay

1026-537: The highway. The highway was extended 3 km (1.9 mi) to the north on August 17, 2007, when the Shabaqua Highway opened, redirecting Highway 11 and Highway 17 off Arthur Street. The following table lists the major junctions along Highway 61, as noted by the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario . The entire route is located in Thunder Bay District .  King's Highway 61B

1064-465: The legislation and allowing more French-language instruction. His government, however, refused to extend funding for the Catholic separate schools past Grade 8. Ferguson's reversal on Regulation 17 was a concession needed for his alliance with Quebec Premier Louis-Alexandre Taschereau . Ferguson and Taschereau formed an axis against the federal government to demand more provincial rights and defend

1102-520: The opposite shore, Cook County and the State of Minnesota constructed a new road north from Grand Marais . The roads were completed by late 1916, but no bridge existed to connect them. In response, the Rotary Clubs of Port Arthur and Duluth met to discuss a solution. As an international crossing, any bridge over the river would require federal approval from both governments. Both sides agreed that

1140-461: The provinces' ownership of natural resources such as water power (hydro-electric generation). The Ferguson government, eager for new tax revenue, held a plebiscite in 1924 to soften the province's temperance laws. A slim majority voted against prohibition , which led Ferguson's government to permit the sale of beer with an alcohol content of no more than 4.4 proof, about 2.2%. Such brew became known as Fergie's foam. The 1926 provincial election

1178-443: The towns of Port Arthur and Fort William , but no road existed to connect to locations outside. A narrow wilderness trail reached as far as the Pigeon River, and was chosen as the route for the new road. The Department of Mines and Resources agreed to fund the project, and citizens proceeded to lay a new road as far as the river, beginning in 1913. This road was initially known as the "Scott Highway" after lumberman William Scott. On

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1216-493: Was elected to the municipal council and served three years as reeve of Kemptville. He married Ella Cumming in 1896. First elected to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in the 1905 election , Ferguson served as Minister of Lands, Forest, and Mines in the government of William Howard Hearst from 1914 to 1919. Ferguson approved the reservation of 5,000 square miles (12,950 km ) of pulpwood on crown land to

1254-400: Was established in 1968 through Fort William . The former route followed Chippewa Road, turned north on James Street and then east on Frederica Street. From there, it turned north along Ford Street and followed it and Kingsway, ending at Highway 11B and Highway 17B at Arthur Street. Highway 61B was decommissioned in 1997. Highway 61B used James Street Swing Bridge over

1292-473: Was fought on the issue of the government's proposal to repeal the Ontario Temperance Act and to permit controlled sales of liquor in government owned stores. Attorney-General William Folger Nickle , who had supported the government's earlier decision to allow the sale of low-alcohol beer, was opposed to going any further softening of temperance laws and resigned from Cabinet to run against

1330-405: Was renumbered as Highway 61B; it remained in place into the 1990s, but was decommissioned by 1999. Beginning in 1991, Highway 61 was completely reconstructed south of Thunder Bay to the border in preparation for the 1995 World Nordic Ski Championships . This involved replacing eight bridges, improving sightlines, and adding five passing lanes and paved shoulders throughout the length of

1368-711: Was still rife in Ontario, and the Conservatives relied on a base of Orange support. Ferguson was prepared to pander to the Orangemen with anti-Catholic and anti-French rhetoric. In 1912, the Ontario government passed Regulation 17 , which greatly restricted the use of French language instruction. The legislation outraged Quebec and was an irritant to national unity during the First World War . When Ferguson became premier, he reversed himself by moderating

1406-517: Was the ninth premier of Ontario , from 1923 to 1930. He was a Conservative member of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1905 to 1930 who represented the eastern provincial riding of Grenville . The son of Charles Frederick Ferguson , who served in the Canadian House of Commons , Ferguson studied at the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall , was called to the Ontario bar in 1894, and returned to Kemptville to practise. Ferguson

1444-484: Was underway to bypass the inland route of the highway as well as the bridge. This bypass opened on November 1, 1963; the American approach was rebuilt along the shore of Lake Superior, and a new bridge constructed over the river 10 km (6.2 mi) to the east. This bridge was opened on May 23, 1964. Highway 61 was realigned as a result; the former route was redesignated as Highway 593 on September 1, 1964. In 1963, Charles MacNaughton , minister of

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