The Wildlife

A Fisherman's Paradise, A Day's Catch (1930's)

CA ON00408 C004-S03-0253-15-040

Callander Hotel, Callander, Ontario, Canada (1946)

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Postcard reads: "Dear Beatrice: We have been in Canada a week now. Grand fishing, and the men even shot a 400# bear Friday. The skinned him and are saving the hide for a rug in their new cabin."

In the end, it seems quite clear that for many it was the landscape and the wildlife in it that was the primary attraction.  With numerousl lakes and forests surrounding the community it became a hub for much of the activity in the neighbouring communities.  Often associating itself with Temagami and its aura of rugged wilderness, North Bay soon grew to include all of the supporting merchandise and services a visitor could need.

Given that the Province of Ontario targeted potential American visitors with images of our "peerless" and unspoiled wilderness.  (Ontario. Canada's Premier Province. The Lake-Land Playground. Toronto: 1923. p. 59  CA ON00408 C004-S04-SS02-0281-01) it's not surprising to find a number of the postcards in our archival collection enthusiastically praising the fishing, hunting and general wilderness experience to their American recipients.

While time has passed, much of the tourism base created during the first half of the 20th Century remains in place and continues to support the many who choose to visit the area today.