French-Canadian Settlement and the CPR in the Mattawa Area
Text from the plaque
Francophone settlement rapidly increased in the Mattawa area with the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) in 1881. During construction of the rail line, the local economy benefitted from the presence of thousands of French-Canadian workers, some of whom were accompanied by their families. Once the railway was operational, the local lumber industry expanded and Mattawa prospered as a community, a supply and transportation hub, and a lumber depot. Development was also stimulated in the towns to the west of Mattawa along the CPR line - Eau Claire, Bonfield, Astorville and Corbeil - communities that also benefitted from significant numbers of French-Canadian settlers during the 1880s. These people brought with them their unique culture and heritage, and left a lasting Francophone legacy in this area of Ontario.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
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The District of Nipissing
The Town of Mattawa
On the north side of Main Street (Road 533)
just west of the Mattawa River bridge
Also recorded for this place: The Town of Mattawa
N 46 19.162 W 78 42.551
Recorded November 2009. Check current access before visiting.
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