North Bay, Ontario
looking northwest down Main Street from pedestrian overpass near Chippewa Creek
North Bay is a city in northern Ontario, Canada on the shore of Lake Nipissing. As of 2001, the population was 52,771 people. The area was 314.92 square kilometres.
In 1882, John Ferguson decided that the north bay of Lake Nipissing was a promising spot for settlement. North Bay was incorporated as a town in 1891. The first mayor was John Bourke.
The town began to prosper due to the presence of three railway companies and a strong lumber industry. In 1919, John Ferguson was elected mayor of North Bay and continued to serve as mayor until 1922. North Bay was incorporated as a city in August 1925. The Dionne Quintuplets were born on the outskirts of North Bay in 1934. In January 1968 the City of North Bay amalgamated with West Ferris and Widdifield townships.
North Bay, critically situated at the junctions of Highway 11 and Highway 17, remains a major transportation centre for Northern Ontario.
Prominent North Bay natives include comic actor Scott Thompson, entertainer Jaymz Bee, politician Mike Harris, inventor Troy Hurtubise, world downhill alpine ski champion Kate Pace-Lindsay, world champion kick-boxer Chantal Nadon, and NHL ice hockey player Billy Coutu.