Iroquois Falls, Ontario
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Coordinates: 48°46′N 80°40′W / 48.767°N 80.667°W
| Town of Iroquois Falls | |
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| — Town — | |
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  Town of Iroquois Falls
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| Coordinates: 48°46′N 80°40′W / 48.767°N 80.667°W | |
| Country |  Canada |
| Province |  Ontario |
| District | Cochrane |
| Established | 1912 |
| Incorporated | 1915 |
| Government | |
| - Type | Town |
| - Mayor | Gilles Forget |
| Area | |
| - Land | 599.43 km2 (231.4 sq mi) |
| Population (2006)[1] | |
| - Total | 4,729 |
| - Density | 7.9/km2 (20.5/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| Postal code span | P0K |
| Area code(s) | 705 |
| Website | Town of Iroquois Falls |
Iroquois Falls is a small town in Northern Ontario, Canada, with a population of 4,729 in the Canada 2006 Census[1].
The town centre lies just off of Hwy 11 on the banks the Abitibi River, west of Lake Abitibi. Timmins, one of the largest cities in northern Ontario is approximately 50 kilometers (31 mi) to the west. The following communities are also within the municipal boundaries: Monteith, Nellie Lake, and Porquis Junction.
Iroquois Falls is home to the top-producing paper mill of pulp and paper company Abitibi-Bowater, which is the town's primary industry. The Monteith Correctional Complex, a provincial prison serving a regional catchment area, is located in the community of Monteith.
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[edit] History
The background of the town's name varies depending on the source, attributing the name of the falls either to invasions by the Iroquois on Huron or Ojibway villages. It is also unclear who has relayed the tale, settlers or the First Nations people themselves.[2]
Founded as Abitbi Pulp and Paper Co. by Frank Harris Anson, this mill created a dramatic change to the area. A new population migrated to the area for development. The creation of the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway (now Ontario Northland Railway) service greatly boosted the economy as there were no roads at the time. A large group of Abitbi housing units were built and a large church. The large church, which is a historic landmark for the area, was the first English Catholic Parish to be built in Northern Ontario. As Iroquois Falls grew it was separated into three distinct towns: Montrock, Ansonville, and Iroquois Falls. This was discontinued in 1979 and they were amalgamated into one town named Iroquois Falls. Abitbi Price fell into bankruptcy and merged with Consolidated and then merged with Bowater to create Abitbi Bowater. In recent years Abitbi Bowater has had some difficult struggles with its finances and which may cost the Iroquois Falls division many jobs.
[edit] Regional development
Iroquois Falls has had little growth to its economy for many years. However the future prospects for employment in the area are good. Fears that Abitibi-Bowater's pulp and paper mill, the town's main industry, would close have passed. Moving to stay open, they will need to begin replacing an ageing workforce, there by stimulating local economies. The Mining industry in the area has also been providing gainful employment for those willing a short commute. Mines near Matheson beginning to employ a significant amount of the youth looking for a career in the area. Another boost to the local economy is expected as new mining projects begin development in the north.
The politicians of the town and area have created a plan that invites companies to bring business to Iroquois Falls. Some businesses have opened, mostly small family oriented businesses. Iroquois Falls has great community infrastructure, including beautiful parks, one of the nicer community recreation centers in the North Eastern Ontario, the Jus Jordan arena, and a great golf course. However they are still looking for large employment opportunities to stabilize growth and diversify the local economy.
[edit] Sports and recreation
Iroquois Falls is home to the Abitibi Eskimos, formerly the Iroquois Falls Junior Eskis, of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. Each summer brings the "Search for Moby Pike" fishing derby on Lake Abitibi. MusicMusicMusic, a live music event featuring local musicians is a popular annual event. Occurring on the second weekend of August, it is a fund-raising event for local community charities. Porquis Junction, a small community 7 kilometers (4 mi) south of the town centre, is home to the Porquis Blues Festival.
[edit] Climate
In January 1935, the town set the record low temperature for Ontario of −58.3 °C (−73 °F).[3]
| Climate data for Iroquois Falls | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 8.3 (46.9) |
10 (50) |
21.7 (71.1) |
31.7 (89.1) |
35 (95) |
38 (100) |
41.1 (106) |
37.2 (99) |
33.3 (91.9) |
28.9 (84) |
19.4 (66.9) |
14.5 (58.1) |
41.1 (106) |
| Average high °C (°F) | -11 (12) |
-8.2 (17.2) |
-1.3 (29.7) |
7.6 (45.7) |
16.1 (61) |
21.8 (71.2) |
24.1 (75.4) |
22.4 (72.3) |
15.8 (60.4) |
8.6 (47.5) |
0.1 (32.2) |
-7.8 (18) |
7.4 (45.32) |
| Average low °C (°F) | -24.7 (-12.5) |
-23 (-9) |
-15.9 (3.4) |
-5.9 (21.4) |
2 (36) |
7.3 (45.1) |
10.2 (50.4) |
9.1 (48.4) |
4.2 (39.6) |
-0.8 (30.6) |
-8.6 (16.5) |
-19.8 (-3.6) |
-5.5 (22.1) |
| Record low °C (°F) | -58.3 (-72.9) |
-55.6 (-68.1) |
-42.2 (-44) |
-30 (-22) |
-13.3 (8.1) |
-9.4 (15.1) |
-3 (27) |
-3.3 (26.1) |
-8.3 (17.1) |
-16.1 (3) |
-32.8 (-27) |
-46.1 (-51) |
-58.3 (-72.9) |
| Precipitation mm (inches) | 49.4 (1.945) |
30.6 (1.205) |
49.7 (1.957) |
45.1 (1.776) |
60.9 (2.398) |
81.5 (3.209) |
93.3 (3.673) |
85.9 (3.382) |
96.6 (3.803) |
68.5 (2.697) |
57.2 (2.252) |
57.4 (2.26) |
776 (30.55) |
| Source: Environment Canada[3] 2009-30-10 | |||||||||||||
[edit] References
- ^ 2006 Community Profiles
- ^ Iroquois Falls: History & Legend
- ^ a b Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, accessed 30 October 2009
[edit] External links
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Unorganized North Cochrane Dist. | |
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| Unorg. North Cochrane Dist. Timmins |
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Unorg. North Cochrane Dist. | ||
 Iroquois Falls  |
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| Black River-Matheson |
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