Parks Opening Kicked off with a Splash
Chapter Two

Chippewa Park began with a splash. Literally.

On July 15, 1921, the Mayor of Fort William, Albert Hugh “A.H.” Dennis, presided over the official opening of the park. Accompanied by friends and officials, he toured the newly cleared site along the shore, enjoyed a picnic, and took part in a christening. Finally, to highlight its attractiveness as a recreational venue, he dove into the water to demonstrate the beach’s safety.

The official opening had been years in the making. Discussions with the Fort William First Nation had gone on for almost a decade before a 1917 deal was reached to purchase 270 acres of reserve lands. Another 27.1 acres along the shoreline were obtained from the CNR. William Dowler, a prominent local citizen, and chairman of the Fort William Parks Board was the driving force behind its creation. A cairn recognizing his efforts stands at the entrance to the park to this day.

The park was named “Chippewa” to acknowledge the original occupiers of the land (“Chippewa” being the English name that newcomers had assigned to the original people of the area).

The earliest years were devoted to clearing the land, and connecting the park to the city. (To get to the official opening, the Mayor and his party had to row across the lake from a point near the mouth of the Mission River). Building a road and a streetcar line were among the first priorities.

The Twenties saw the construction of various buildings, including a dining hall, a dance hall, a bathhouse, and a refreshment booth. As transportation became easier and the facilities expanded, so did the park’s popularity with the citizenry.

It also became a popular destination for tourists. Passengers on ships plying the lakes would disembark at the CPR docks in Fort William and be transported by streetcar to the park for a day’s outing. This would include hikes up to a nearby lookout followed by a fine meal served on white tablecloths and fine china in the dining room.

The park was for more than day trippers, however. It also included opportunities for local residents to enjoy longer stays. A rustic rooming house, a.k.a. The Lodge was built with nine bedrooms for weekly stays. Six log pole and canvas cottages were built and made available for summer rental. Dozens of other lots were surveyed off and leased to residents who wanted to build their own permanent camps along Sandy Beach.

In 1924, severe storms caused damage to the initial canvass buildings. Permanent replacements were undertaken that included the pavilion and dance hall. These masterpieces of construction were built under the guidance of John Thunder, a master log builder from the Fort William First Nation. They remain in use even now, almost a hundred years later.

The Twenties also saw the beginning of Chippewa’s wildlife exhibit. It began simply enough, with the receipt of a raccoon and squirrels, courtesy of the MPP for Fort William and Minister of Mines, the Honourable Henry. Mills. The number of animals grew to include pheasants, and owl, a buffalo, deer, bears, and more. While it became a subject of controversy later on, the zoo remained a big attraction for generations of park visitors.

In 1926, the first amusement ride, a merry-go-round, joined the park’s growing list of attractions. Kids could get three rides for a nickel, or 5 cents a ride for adults. It was unique in that the curved wooden floor, not the horses, moved up and down. By the early 1930’s, however, this first ride was deemed to be beyond repair and was replaced by the carousel that the public enjoys to this day.

In the span of a single decade, Chippewa Park was transformed from an undeveloped strip of shoreline, to being the “go-to” place for citizens of Fort William seeking rest and recreation.

Next week’s article: Welcoming Tourist