Simon James Dawson 1820-1902
Text from the plaque
Born in Scotland, Dawson emigrated to Canada as a young man and began his career as a civil engineer. In 1857 as a member of a Canadian government expedition, he surveyed a line of road from the Lakehead to Fort Garry and in 1858-59 further explored that area. His report greatly stimulated Canadian interest in the West. In 1868 he began construction of a wagon and water route following his earlier survey. It was traversed in 1870 by the Wolseley Expedition sent to preserve order during the first Riel uprising. Dawson represented Algoma in the Ontario legislature 1875-78 and in the Dominion parliament 1878-91.
Transcribed from the marker, not summarised.
Find the place
The District of Thunder Bay
The City of Thunder Bay
Beside the parking lot on Colonel Keene Drive in Hillcrest Park
on High Street South, just south of Red River Road
N 48 26.131 W 89 14.030
Recorded October 2005. Check current access before visiting.
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Visitors' notes
November 13, 2011
I came across this site while doing research for my book. It is unfortunate that there is so much we don't know outside the generalities of mainstream Canadian history unless we just happen across it. This is an informative site as are most of those regarding such plaques.