Moosonee Preview

Getting a close up view of the dam on Store Creek

Located on the south side of Store Creek on the west side of the train tracks.

This trail is for those with some flexibility, agility, and good foot wear. There is an approach to the dam on the north side of the creek that is easier to get to but this one provides a bit more adventure. The trail itself is not very long, about 50 meters.

At the corner of the main street beside the Town of Moosonee offices cut straight through the open field in front of you to the far right corner. The start of the trail down the bank is just over at the tree line.

This trail will take you down to the mouth of Store Creek, which used to be the canoe landing spot for bringing supplies in and out of the community and for transporting goods back and forth between Moose Factory and Moosonee.

Christ the King Cathedral is located on 23 First Street.

Christ the King Cathedral was built in 1947 by the Oblates brothers to provide Church services to the Revillon Freres staff and the peoples of James Bay who were Roman Catholics.

Mass is celebrated from Tuesday to Friday at 4:30 p.m. in the Winter.
Mass is celebrated from Tuesday to Friday at 7p.m. in the Summer.
Sunday Mass is celebrated at 11 a.m. throughout the year.

Some hymns are sang in Cree.

For more information:

Rev. Paul Awowole

(705) 336-2525

Moosonee Public School is located at 7 First Street, next to Northern College.

Moosonee Public School

Phone Number: 705-336-2365
Principal: Janette Corston

Bishop Belleau School is located at 18 Bay Rd., on the corner of Bay Rd. and Second St.

Bishop Belleau School

This is a Catholic elementary school operated by the Roman Catholic Separate School Board. The school is named after Bishop Henri Belleau, who served the people of James Bay from 1924 until his death in 1976.

phone: (705) 336-2619
phone: 1-877-422-9322
e-mail: bbmosec@ncdsb.on.ca

Northern College, Moosonee Campus

Northern College, Mossonee Campus is located at First Avenue.

Northern College, Moosonee Campus

Tel: 705-336-2913
Fax: 705-336-2393

Restaurant

Sky Ranch Restaurant is located at 6 First St., at the corner of First St. and Ferguson Rd.

Sky Ranch

This restaurant has been in business in the Town of Moosonee since 2017. The owners are from Newfoundland. It provides catering services for small and large groups.

Breakfast / Lunch / Diner
Burgers, salads, soups, french fries, poutine, deserts...and more
Coffee, tea.

Try Fish & Chips Newfie Style!

Hours of operation:
Monday to Friday: 8AM - 8PM
Saturday closed
Sunday: 10AM - 7PM

For more information:
(705) 336-3729

Northern Store, CIBC / Quickstop, located at 20 First St., at the corner of Wabun Rd. and First St.

Northern Store, CIBC / Quickstop

Roman Catholic Hospital

The Roman Catholic Hospital was located next to the Catholic Cathedral on First St., in front of Northern Store.

Old Catholic Hospital

It was in existence from 1950s and it was run by the Gray Sisters.

Due to the high cost in transportation, medical doctors were not always available on site.

It burned down in the 1970s.

Patients now go to Weeneebayko Health Authority Area (WAHA) in Moose Factory.

Helicopter flight schedules and cost are still an issue to resolve in the North.

The Oblate House

The Oblate House is located next to the Christ the King Catholic Cathedral in Moosonee.

Priests and brothers arrived in James Bay in 1892. They worked in several communities along the coast.

The Old Grey Sisters Residence located in front of the Oblates House, a few minutes from the Catholic church.

The Old Grey Sisters Residence is now vacant.

Mushkegowuk Council Victim Service / Lions Club / MoCreebec Eeyoud Office / Employment Ontario / Paramedics is located at 21 First St.,right in front of the Northern Store.

Mushkegowuk Council Victim Service / Lions Club / MoCreebec Eeyoud Office / Employment Ontario / Paramedics

Here, in this building, locals can find help related to employment & training, victim services, community fundraising events (Bingo), and more.

LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario)

The LCBO is located at 35 First St. at the corner of First St. and Atim Rd.

LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario)

Serving the community and the surrounding since the 1970s.
This store provides business to five communities along the James Bay coast during the Winter road season.
The only LCBO store to have the on-the-counter service in Ontario.

Recycling program:
Consumers might bring their empty wine bottles.

Open Hours:
Sunday: 11AM - 6PM
Monday to Saturday: 10AM - 6PM

For more information:
(705) 336-2301
store0424@lcbo.com
http://www.lcbo.com

Great North Builder's Supplies LTD

Great North is located at 38 First St. at the corner of First St. and Atim Rd.

Great North

(705) 336-2777

Store Hours

Monday to Friday: 8AM - 5:30PM

Saturday: 8AM - 5PM

Member of Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada

The Pentacostal Church is located at 32 Revillon Road, Moosonee, Ontario.

Part of the Aboriginal Pentecostal Ministries, the present Church has been standing on the same site for 30 years. The original Church was in the same location before a fire broke out and destroyed the building.

Pastor Alex and Kathy Gunner

Phone: (705) 336-2575

Services:

Wednesday Evenings Bible Study at 7:30 p.m.

Sunday Mornings at 10:30 a.m. focusing on Children's Services

Sunday Evenings at 6:00 a.m. for Night Service

Retail Postal Outlet

The Canada Post Office is located at 9 First Street, Moosonee, Ontario. Phone: 1-800-267-1177

Staffed by Canada Post employees, this full service retail postal outlet services the Town of Moosonee.

Incoming and outgoing mail travels through this location from Monday to Friday.

Business hours are Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Mailbox access is from Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Municipal Offices and Council Chambers

The Administration Office for the Town of Moosonee is located at 5 First Street at Ferguson Road.

Administration office for the Town of Moosonee.

This is where municipal affairs are taken care of in the town, such as payment of taxes and licenses. There are also souvenirs available for purchase with Town of Moosonee insignia.

Hours:

Weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed from noon to 1:00 p.m. for lunch.

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 727 Moosonee, ON P0L 1Y0

Phone: 705-336-2993
Fax: 705-336-2426

A Map Depicting the Three Areas of Moosonee before they Merged

Necessities is located at 136 Ferguson Rd North, at the corner of Ferguson Rd. and Fifth St.

Necessities

Convenience store

Open everyday from 10AM to 11PM.

For more information:

(705) 336 -2131

Accommodation

The Lilypad Guest House is located at 5 Cotter St., at the corner of Cotter St. and Wabun Rd.

The Lilypad Guest House

Prices range from $130 to $150 per night.
Two rooms with a queen size bed are available and also a pull-out bed.
Breakfast is not included.

A few minutes from the ONR Train Station

For more information:
Karen McComb
(705) 336 - 6728

Two Bay Limited is located at 12 Ferguson Rd. at the corner of Ferguson Rd. and Second St.

Two Bay Limited

Store sells auto parts, gas, fishing gear and electronics.

Open everyday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

For more information:

(705) 336 - 2944

One of Nine Staff Houses Built in Moosonee in Early 1900s

Revillon Freres Staff House28 Revillon Road(Just at the corner of 3rd St. and Revillon Rd.)

Revillon Frères (Revillon Brothers) was a French fur and luxury goods company, founded in Paris in 1723. Then called la Maison Givelet, it was purchased by Louis-Victor Revillon in 1839, who renamed it. Soon, as Revillon Frères,it became the largest fur company in France.

Directly across the Moose River from this location is Moose Factory. This is the oldest English-speaking community in Ontario. It was founded when the Hudson Bay Company established a fur trading post in 1673.

In 1903, Revillon Freres set up its own trading post in Moosonee to directly compete against the Hudson Bay Company. According to folklore, the fur trade rivalry between the two companies became a bloody war that could easily be screen-played into Hollywood action films without too much fiction added in.

Despite the fast and the furry-est history of bloodshed, Moosonee thrived and was incorporated into a Town on January 1, 2001.

With the decline of tourism, the museum only opens by appointment.

For any special tour, please contact the Wayne Taipale, Town of Moosonee Mayor

www.moosonee.ca

(705) 336-2993

The Quarry River is located about a northern mile south of the dump, just out of town on Quarry Road. It runs from west to east towards the mighty Moose River just north of the quarry.

This riverbed is truly amazing in summer. The river dries right up and runs underneath the dry riverbed and surfaces at a picturesque fishing location, which is photo worthy.

Fire Hall

Moosonee Volunteer Fire Department is located at 1 Ferguson Rd.(Corner of First St. and Ferguson Rd.)

Moosonee Volunteer Fire Department

(705) 336 - 2500

Ontario Northland Train

Moosonee Train Station(At the corner of Arena Rd. and First St.)

Moosonee Train Station

Hours of operation:

Monday - Friday: 10AM to 5:45PM

Closed weekend

P.S. We also have an Ontario Northland Train Tour

Moosonee Community Garden(In front of Two Bay Ltd.)

Moosonee Community Garden

Fresh produce is hard to get in the North. To balance a diet and cut food expenses, the Moosonee Community Garden promotes growing your own vegetables such as tomatoes, potatoes, corn, and squash.

For more information:

Aboriginal Peoples Alliance Northern Ontario (APANO)
Diabetes Prevention Program
173 Railway Street
Cochrane, Ontario
P.O. Box #1795
P0L 1C0
Phone: 705-272-2562
Fax: 705-272-2563

The Sons of Martha Monument(Two minutes from the train station)

The Sons of Martha Monument

Erected in honour of those who worked and died during the construction of the railway.

The plaque has two passages from the poem "The Sons of Martha" written by Rudyard Kipling in 1907. To listen to poem, please play audio-recording.

The Cold War Pinetree Radar Line Station

Moosonee Air Force BaseLocated near Wabusk Ave. and Mistic Blvd.

"During the early years of the Cold War, three massive radar lines were constructed across the north: the Distant Early Warning (DEW) line, the Mid-Canada line, and the Pinetree line. The goal of the radar lines was to monitor Soviet plane traffic across the Arctic in order to intercept planes, armed with atomic weapons, which were intended (presumably) to destroy North American cities.

The town site of Moosonee experienced little development until the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway (T. & N.O.) connected the town to Cochrane in 1932. By the mid 1950’s, Moosonee had become a shipping centre for more northerly Mid-Canada radar base sites, like Fort Albany and Winisk. Several Mid-Canada Line (MCL) articles referred to Moosonee as a Cold War construction and shipping center. For example, in the 1958 Roundel, Flying Officer S. G. French described the establishment of “marshalling areas at ends-of-steel." In Ontario, this meant Moosonee as the furthest north railway line or “end-of-steel.” French then described how Moosonee, became “a new main base of operations.” He emphasized the role of Moosonee as a central operations base by noting that when work was completed much further north, helicopters returned to Moosonee. French also described winter tractor train operations. He wrote that “During the winter of 1955-56 about 11,000 tons of materials were moved …by tractor train. At their peak, these trains running out of Gillam, Manitoba and Moosonee, Ontario used over 400 sleds and over 40 heavy tractors.” Clearly, Moosonee was part of Cold War activities long before it hosted a radar base.

Air Photo of Moosonee Pinetree Radar Base, 1962, Department of History and Heritage Archives, Ottawa. By 1961, Moosonee had its own military base–a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) Pinetree radar base known as ‘Sasakipao’. This base, constructed only a mile or so from downtown Moosonee, operated from 1961 to 1975 (see “Air Photo of Moosonee Pinetree Radar Base, 1962”). It became the home for 150 RCAF officers and airmen, their spouses and their dependent children. It also became the workplace for approximately 60 civilian employees from Moosonee."

Source: http://niche-canada.org/2013/11/03/the-cold-war-in-the-near-north-moosonee-and-the-pinetree-radar-line/

YMO: Cruising Altitude... Destination North

Located 2 nautical miles (3.7 km; 2.3 mi) north-east of Moosonee, Ontario

Aurora Borealis

Anywhere. Out on the land is the best place to go for the best show.

Aurora Borealis can be viewed almost anywhere here when the conditions are right. It is better, however, to be away from the lights of the town. Nothing beats being out on the land when you want to get a spectacular view of this natural wonder.

The HBC's Competition on the Mainland

Blog Post Written on Saturday May 16, 2009

You find yourself at the main intersection of the Town of Moosonee's "main drag" (main street). Here is what someone else in your shoes thought when they arrived here back in 1989. Answer: In 1989 the Highway Traffic Act was not being enforced in Moosonee, in case you're wondering after reading further. As of 2017, it is still not fully enforced in Moose Factory.

Main Street Moosonee "

So how far north have you been?" Joe asked, after I acknowledged that, yes, I have in fact left the Eastern time zone. I didn't have to think for long. The north tends to be memorable in its own way.

"Moosonee," I said.

"Damn."

Moosonee is, and has been for the last [few] years, a town near the shore of James Bay in the far northern marches of Ontario - before then, it was a Development Area, the only one in the province. It's still one of the most isolated significant communities in Ontario. For most of the year, the only real access is by a five-hour rail ride from Cochrane via the Polar Bear Express train, run by Ontario Northland.

My grandfather and I rode the rails up there in July 1989, taking first the Northlander north from Barrie - well before the city government, in an absolutely genius maneuver, tore up the tracks at Allandale station - to Cochrane, well up north itself, and then the Polar Bear Express the rest of the way. Particularly in 1989, when cell phones were just starting to come on the market and the World Wide Web would not even be invented for another two years, Moosonee's isolation made it seem, to six-year-old me, almost like some weird other world.

What really struck me as odd, and which is the subject of today's photograph - taken on July 31, 1989 - is that the streets were unpaved and a lot of the cars seemed to lack license plates.

I, the copyright holder of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. This applies worldwide. In case this is not legally possible, I grant anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law.

Source: http://actsofminortreason.blogspot.ca/2009/05/pdp-41-main-street-moosonee.html

An agency that provides help for the entire family in a community setting.

Located at 100 Quarry Road, Moosonee, ON.Phone: (705) 336-3450

Sagashtawao Healing Lodge is an accredited organization that meets national standards through Accreditation Canada. Sagashtawao Healing Lodge is a residential treatment program for First Nation adults and families who are challenged with drug and/or alcohol addiction. Sagashtawao Healing Lodge maintains a philosophy that every person has within themselves inner strength, and positive qualities, which will enhance their well-being. The treatment program offers the following:

1. Assessment and Treatment Planning
2. A Treatment Program of Individual and Group Counselling
3. Nutrition Program
4. Recreation Program
5. Health Services
6. Community Education and Resources
7. Aftercare Planning and Follow up.

(Courtesy: Sagashtawao.ca)

Church of the Apostles (Anglican), Moosonee

Located on Revillion Road, locally known as River Road, at the beginning of 2nd Street across from the public docks. Phone: (705) 658-4762Reverend Norman Wesley

The local water taxi drivers are able to use the Church steeple as a navigation point crossing the Moose River.

The Anglican Diocese of Moosonee straddles both Northern Ontario and Northwestern Quebec covering some 560,000 sq kms. It is second to the Diocese of the Arctic in geographic size. It is one of the great historic missionary areas of the Anglican Communion and of early Canada with records dating back to 1780. It is an area set in “an almost unbelievable land...of forests and lakes and rivers with mountains and muskeg and desolate tundra.” (Olive Mackay Petersen)

The southern part of the Diocese, called the Watershed Deanery, was developed with the mining, lumber and rail industries.

The northern part of the Diocese that surrounds the James Bay and extends into inland Quebec and is known as the James Bay Deanery is made up of the ancient aboriginal people of the north mostly of the Cree Nation. The history of Moosonee is a colourful one of adventurers, fur-traders, map-makers and missionaries. As the area developed the Diocese grew and changed. Missionary efforts changed from paddling the rivers to riding the rails, to driving the highways to flying the northern skies.

(Courtesy: Diocese of Moosonee website)

James Bay (Moosonee) Detachment

Located at 31 First Street, Moosonee, Ontario. Phone: 705 336-2320Contact PoliceFor emergency assistance, DIAL 911You can also call 1-888-310-112224 hour toll free, anywhere in OntarioNon-emergency calls for service24 hour toll free, anywhere in Ontario1-888-310-11221-888-310-1133 (TTY)

In order to patrol the James Bay area through some of the harshest extreme weather Northern Ontario is famous for, the O.P.P. patrol in 4-wheel drive pick up trucks, namely the Ford F-250.

The OPP was founded in 1909 and has spent over a century serving the people of the Province of Ontario.

Did you know...

• Many early detachments had only one officer, who routinely relied on his wife to cook for the prisoners, type his reports, and answer the phone.
• The OPP patrolled the roads on motorcycle until 1941, when the first marked cars for regular patrol use were purchased.
• The first women to serve as full police constables joined in 1974, forever changing the face of policing.
• The first laser ever used by police to detect fingerprint evidence was introduced to the world by the OPP in 1977.

These are only a few of the highlights in a unique history that mirrors the development of a province. Visit the OPP Museum website to learn more about our proud policing history.

(Courtesy: Ontario Provincial Police website)

Original T. & N.O. Hotel in Moosonee

The James Bay Inn was located where the baseball diamond now stands, on the south side of Store Creek next to the river.

Previously known as the The Canadian Bank of Commerce, it later became the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CIBC).

Bar & Motel

The Regular Stop is located at the corner of First St. and Ferguson Rd.

The Regular Stop

Bar & Accommodation

For more information: (705) 336-3729

James & Hudson Bay Family Services

Payukotayno is located at 50 Bay Rd.

Payukotayno

Payukotayno James & Hudson Bay Family Services is 1 of 47 Children's Aid Societies (CAS) in Ontario. Its main mandate is to protect children from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse and neglect, while also providing parents and caregivers with they support they need to build healthy families. Payukotayno serves the communities located along the western James Bay coast.

Main Office
50 Bay Road, P.O. Box 189, Moosonee, ON P0L 1Y0
Office hours: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm (closed from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm)

Phone: 705-336-2229Call: 705-336-2229
After-Hours: 1-866-615-1681 Call: 1-866-615-1681
Fax: 705-336-2492Call: 705-336-2492

http://www.payukotayno.ca

NLSS

Northern Lights Secondary School is located at 2 Keewatin Dr.

Northern Lights Secondary School (NLSS)

Respect - Diligence -Teamwork - Excellence

2 Keewatin Dr.
PO Box 304
Moosonee, ON
P0L1Y0

Phone: (705) 336-2900
Fax: (705) 336-2190
Email: nlssnews@gmail.com

http://nlss.on.ca

Timmins Native Friendship Centre

Timmins Native Friendship Centre is located at 3B Moose Street, at the corner of Hunter St. and Ferguson Rd.

Moosonee Satellite Office of Timmins Native Friendship Centre

"Man is in the middle. It is his responsibility to live in harmony with the environment, his brothers and the animals."

A small group of dedicated people came together with a dream to provide a safe gathering place for the Native community. From those first early steps, the Timmins Native Friendship Centre was established in 1974. This realization was influenced largely by the arrival of Aboriginal people who had to leave their home reserves to seek employment or to attend the local education institutes. The main concern was with the increasing number of First Nation students coming from the surrounding coastal communities to attend the local Secondary and Post-Secondary Schools. It was generally felt by the founders of the Timmins Native Friendship Centre that these students needed a positive environment, which would impact their academic performance in a positive way.

The Timmins Native Friendship Centre became incorporated in 1976 and received core funding in October 1982 from the Secretary of State through the Migrating Peoples Program. The current source of the Core funding is Heritage Canada’s Aboriginal Friendship Centre Program (AFCP), which is administered by the National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) through a contribution agreement.

Vision

Our vision is to provide a culturally safe environment that creates a sense of belonging for all Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people.

Mission

Our mission is to strive to provide positive growth and change while supporting one's spiritual, emotional, mental and physical well-being within a culturally diverse community. We commit to do this with understanding and dedication while respecting individual's values and beliefs.

Mandate

Our mandate is "to improve the quality of life for Aboriginal people living in an urban environment."

Philosophy

Our philosophy is one that encompasses all people in the community who request assistance.

Office Hours:
Monday to Friday: 8:30AM - 4:30PM

Moosonee Office
3B Moose Street
P.O. Box 129
Moosonee ON P0L 1Y0
Phone: (705) 336-0331
Fax: (705) 336-0120

http://www.tnfc.ca/Moosonee.html

Porcupine Health Unit is located at 38 Revillion Rd. It is just a few minutes from the docks, along the Moose river.

Porcupine Health Unit

Vaccines

Diabetes Prevention

38 Revillion Rd PO Box 730
Moosonee, ON P0L 1Y0
Phone: (705) 336-2294 ext. 322
Fax: (705) 336-2919

Legal Services

Keewaytinok Native Legal Services is located at 40 Revillion Rd., along the Moose River, a few minutes from the docks.

Keewaytinok Native Legal Services

The clinic is funded by Legal Aid Ontario, formerly known as the Ontario Legal Aid Plan. Keewaytinok provides free legal services to low income people and their organizations (including First Nations) in the James Bay area. Services include casework and public legal education. The clinic handles many types of cases including consumer, debt, criminal (generally just summary advice), employment, wills, family (generally just summary advice), drafting of documents, Native, social assistance, victims of crime, employment insurance and the incorporation and organization of non-profit corporations.

For more information:

Paul Lantz
Barriste / Executive Director
Keewaytinok Native Legal Services
40 Revillion Road Box 218
Moosonee
P0L 1Y0
705-336-2981

Early Suburb of Moosonee

Break-up at Moosonee

Get a close up of the dam on Store Creek and walk along its banks for a couple of kilometers

Located on the north side of Store Creek on the west side of the train tracks

This trail is for those with some flexibility, agility and good foot wear. The trail along the creek goes back into the forest for about 2-3 km until you get to the power lines after that point the trail disappears. Sections of the trail can get pretty wet so be prepared to walk in the woods.

Moosonee Arena & Curling Rink is located on the 2nd St., next to the Moosonee Train Station.

Moosonee Arena & Curling Rink

This place also works as Community Centre.