Canada is rich in history, especially when it comes to architecture. Though we’ve embraced modern changes, there’s something special when it comes to exploring historic buildings and learning about their past. And this Ontario town just so happens to be the most historic in all of the province. So much so that there are buildings still standing from the early 1900s. Here’s what to know about Cobalt, Ontario.
Though it’s not day trip material, considering it is a five hour’s drive north of Toronto, Cobalt is worth exploring.
According to the Town of Cobalt, it is located right in the heart of the Pre-Cambrian Shield. It is named Ontario’s most historic town and a Parks Canada National Historic Site.
“Cobalt enjoys all of the services of much larger communities in a relaxed lifestyle,” states the town. A tour around the streets won’t take you long so to add to your adventure, stop by the Cobalt Mining Museum and learn about the town’s historic past.
According to the town, back in the 1900s, Cobalt became an overnight sensation after the discovery of silver.
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“Credit for the discovery belongs to J. H. McKinley and Ernest Darragh who were engaged as contractors to supply ties for the railway. On August 7, 1903, while cruising the Booth Limits for timber, their eyes were caught by the gleam of metallic flakes in the rock at the southeast end of Loog Lake, later re-named Cobalt Lake,” shared the town.
“They sent a number of the rock samples to Montreal for assay, and the word came back that what they had submitted was native silver, assaying 4,000 ounces to the ton.”
After that, a small plant was established, and “Cobalt’s rise to fame and fortune” began. And if you’re curious to see its mines, you can embark on a mine tour throughout the summer months.
According to the town, at Cobalt’s peak, almost ten thousand people lived there and had many amenities of a large city.
They soon began to build in the town, one of the first being The Bank of Commerce in 1905. This bank in particular is “one of the few remaining examples of the Bank of Commerce pre-fabricated structures that once dotted Western Canada,” per the town.
Though it did undergo some modern changes, it still stands to this day.
Other historical buildings that remain are the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Cobalt Classic Theatre, Cobalt Nugget Office, Cobalt Station, Congias Shaft, and the Royal Exchange Building.
Talk about time travelling! History buffs, some trip planning is in order.
