1. Cochrane, Ontario,viewed here circa 1910, was named in honour of Frank Cochrane, former Minister of Lands and Forests. Chosen as the terminal of the Temiskaming & Northern Ontario Railway, it was burned to the ground several times by forest fires. The town became an important agricultural centre by 1920. Today the famous “Polar Bear Express" during the summer months travels from this northern community of 5,000 to Moosonee on James Bay; 2. The Gold Capital of the Western Hemisphere is Timmins, seen here circa 1915. This northern community is the home of McIntyre, Hollinger and Kidd Creek Mines—several of the largest gold mines in North America.

3. One of the mining shafts at the McIntyre mine drops 7,400 feet and is the deepest shaft in Canada; 4. The Traders’ Bank of Canada was quick to set up shop once discoveries were made in the Porcupine area. In this view, 1910, the bank manager is on the left of the doorway and his house is to his right. Bottom; Fires—conflagrations—paid many visits to northern communities, often with such violence that towns and villages were seared off the map.

Here, a 1911 forest fire devastates South Porcupine, near Timmins, killing at least 200 people. (1-5/C.J.Humber Collection)