THUNDER BAY – The Silver Islet Campers’ Association are pleased as they present the Collectors Edition 2012 Historic Calendar. This calendar is in commemoration of their eightieth anniversary. The calendar is a collection of fourteen drawings by local artists and depict the history of the 143 year old mining town and the years leading up to it’s present summer cottage community ambient.
The silver mine was discovered one kilometer off the shores of Lake Superior in 1868, soon after the thriving mining town of Silver Islet was built on the mainland. Sixteen years later the mine closed. For a time, the mine was the richest silver mine in the world.
At its height, Silver Islet housed more than 500 people, and three and a half million dollars worth of silver had been mined. The amazing engineering accomplishments and unimaginable hardships endured are part of Silver Islet’s colourful history.
The town boasted a store, two churches, sawmill, stamp mill, stables, post and customs offices, doctor’s office, jail, cemetery and many elegant homes.
Sometime after the mine closed, a fox farm operated for seven years. There was also a fishing village that still exists today. In the twenties and thirties Silver Islet was a favorite destination for large side paddle cruise ships bringing tourists from Fort William and Port Arthur for day trips.
Today visitors from Thunder Bay enjoy a drive to Silver Islet for desserts in the Tea Room at the 140 year old general store. Silver Islet is now a community of privately owned summer homes (many are the original mining homes and buildings) for cottagers that come from all over the world.
Over the years the mine played a significant part in the history of Northwestern Ontario and the Thunder Bay region.
The calendars are available at the Lake Superior Art Gallery, and The Silver Islet General Store.
The Silver Islet Campers Association was formed in 1931 and has had a mission to provide social activities for the children and maintain a safe environment for the residents and visitors.
The calendar is nicely bond and produced on card stock suitable for framing. At $11.30 Tax included it makes an excellent stocking stuffer for Christmas. The proceeds from the calendar will go towards the acquisition of fire protection equipment.
You can also purchase the Silver Islet Calendar online: www.lakesuperiorstore.com
Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
