Latchford, Ontario

Latchford is a Single-tier municipality town in Timiskaming District in Northeastern Ontario, Canada.[1] It is located on Bay Lake on the Montreal River near the town of Cobalt and the municipality of Temagami and is 20 kilometres (13 miles) from the city of Temiskaming Shores. The population of the town in the Canada 2011 Census was 387, which makes it the smallest town by population in Ontario.[3] The town's slogan is "The Best Little Town by a Dam Site!"

Latchford
Town (single-tier)
Town of Latchford
Bridge over the Montreal River with Latchford in the background.
Etymology: Named for Francis Robert Latchford
Motto(s): 
The Best Little Town by a Dam Site!
Latchford
Coordinates: 47°19′44″N 79°48′37″W[1]
CountryCanada
ProvinceOntario
DistrictTimiskaming
Settled1902
IncorporatedJune 15, 1907 (1907-06-15)
Government
 • MayorGeorge Lefebvre
 • Federal ridingNipissing—Timiskaming
 • Prov. ridingTimiskaming—Cochrane
Area
 • Land153.53 km2 (59.28 sq mi)
Elevation
289 m (948 ft)
Population
 (2016)[2]
 • Total313
 • Density2.0/km2 (5/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Postal Code
P0J 1N0
Area code(s)705, 249
Websitewww.latchford.ca

History

Latchford was first settled in 1902 when the decision to build the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway (now the Ontario Northland Railway) was struck. It was decided the railway would cross the Montreal River at the location of what is today Latchford, and a bridge was finished in 1904. Hence, the settlement was known first as Montreal River Station. It was renamed Latchford in 1905 in honour of the provincial commissioner of public works, Francis Robert Latchford, and was incorporated as a town on July 15, 1907. A dam that provided hydroelectric power, as well as a vehicle crossing over the river, was built in 1910, and Ontario Highway 11 including a bridge over the river was built finished through the town in 1927. Silver mining, forestry, and later tourism, drove Latchford’s economy throughout the 20th century.[4][5]

In 2006, the boundaries of the town were expanded to include the South Part of geographic Gillies Limit Township.[6][7]

A plaque was erected in 2009 commemorating the founding of the town.[4][8]

Transportation

Latchford has good road links because of Ontario Highway 11, which is part of the Trans-Canada Highway as it passes through the town. Ontario Northland offers a twice-daily bus service north towards Cochrane and south towards North Bay.

Bridges

The Sgt. Aubrey Cosens VC Memorial Bridge, which carries Ontario Highway 11, is the town's most recognized symbol. It was named after a World War II recipient of the Victoria Cross from Latchford. The bridge failed on a cold day in 2003, but was repaired and is again in service. Latchford is also home to the world's shortest covered bridge.

Recreation

W.J.B. Greenwood Provincial Park is in Latchford south of the town centre.[9]

Demographics
Historical population
YearPop.±%
1991 345—    
1996 338−2.0%
2001 363+7.4%
2006 370[10]+1.9%
2011 387+4.6%
2016 313−19.1%
[11][3][2]

Private dwellings occupied by usual residents: 152 (total dwellings: 223)

Mother tongue (2006 census):[12]

  • English as first language: 78.2%
  • French as first language: 12.6%
  • English and French as first language: 2.3%
  • Other as first language: 6.9%

References
  1. "Latchford". Geographical Names Data Base. Natural Resources Canada. Retrieved 2010-07-21.
  2. "Census Profile, 2016 Census: Latchford". Statistics Canada. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
  3. 2011 Census Profile
  4. "Founding of Latchford commemorated with provincial plaque". Ontario Heritage Trust. 2009-07-15. Retrieved 2011-09-09.
  5. "The House of Memories (1931)". Town of Latchford. Archived from the original on 2011-09-30. Retrieved 2011-09-09.
  6. "Gillies Limit (South)" (PDF). Geology Ontario - Historic Claim Maps. Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-27. Retrieved 2011-09-09.
  7. Restructured municipalities - Ontario map #4 (Map). Restructuring Maps of Ontario. Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing. 2006. Retrieved 2011-09-09.
  8. "Founding of Latchford". Ontario Heritage Trust. Retrieved 2011-09-09.
  9. "W.J.B. Greenwood". Ontario Parks. 2002-11-12. Retrieved 2011-09-09.
  10. "Adjusted 2006 population explanation".
  11. Statistics Canada: 1996, 2001, 2006, 2011 census
  12. "2006 Community Profile".

Other map sources:

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