Ghost Towns of Ontario Volume 2

Ghost Towns of Ontario Volume 2

Ron Brown

I'm reading the 1989 edition. This outing uses the same publisher as Volume 1 but it's a vast improvement. First of all the cover photo is identified. But more importantly there is a vast improvement in the quality of photo reproduction throughout the book.

The towns described reflect an entrepreneur's exploitation of a natural resource leading to an influx of population which decamps when the resource runs out and the industry folds.

For example much of the storied Algonquin has been logged as many as 5 times and logging still goes on. Pine trees planted in straight rows reflect reforestation lacking in much of Northern Ontario where trees are left in a 200 ft band along highways for appearance sake.

Ghost towns are testimony to human greed. Lakes and rivers were fished to the point that the fish were unable to reproduce; forests were clear-cut with no thought to second growth, mines were run with the objective of maximizing ore production and profits, not sustainable employment. When the resource ran out the owners left with their ill-gotten wealth.

The Sleeping Giant must be viewed from 35 mile's distance in Thunderbay. If you spend the night on the peninsula stay considerable distance from the diesel generator. Silver Islet is a 20 mile drive from the park entrance. I've looked across the lake at the islet. If you think the hardships faced by the silver miners exaggerated consider that the day in June I hiked with a group to the top of the giant's head it snowed.

The picture caption on p. 83 lists Ophir as North-East of the Sault. The map on p. 33 plainly shows it South-East. A modern day map shows it due East.

The road to Cobalt as with the road to Durango, CO is the million dollar highway in this case due to the silver in the tailings used to build it. In all more than 460 million ounces of silver were pulled out of mines in the hills surrounding the area or as the author puts it $5 worth for every person in Canada at one point.

Parks Ontario offers historical brochures showing beautiful sketches of heritage buildings that once graced its parks. Often the sad truth is that the MNR has razed and burned those buildings. This wanton destruction of Ontario Heritage is a frequent wail in documenting former Ghost Towns.

The book makes rather depressing reading.

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