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Heritage
CENTRE
/MUSEUM
SRF
THE 1970s
M&M Power Sports, owned by Brian and Michael Moore, was in business beside the B/A service station. They sold snow machines, motorcycles, boats and motors.
1970
SMOOTH ROCK FALLS-KENDREY LIBRARY
The Smooth Rock Falls-Kendrey library moved into a portable classroom beside the swimming pool on the corner of 6th Street and Hollywood Avenue. This building was formerly used as a portable classroom for Ste-Gertrude School. The new library was officially opened on March 14.
“SMOOTH ROCK MAN IN BIG AIR RACE"
Major Roger O. Landry
“FORMER RESIDENT HOME FROM AFRICA”
Father Rheal Cousineau.
ABITIBI HOUSING
Replace old Abitibi housing [4th Street] with new apartment building.
ABITIBI MILL
Ship First Carload of Stud Mill Products.
ARTIFICIAL ICE FUND PROGRESS
The campaign for funds to install artificial ice in local arena and curling rink is progressing well. NT 03 Jun 1970: “Start Work Soon on Ice Installation” - Excavation will start in early June and the ice making equipment will be installed by the end of Sept. [See also NT 25 Nov 1970].
HOCKEY NIGHT
Smooth Rock “Hockey Night” as Town Honours NHL Stars: Dick Mattiussi, Jean-Paul Parisé and Bob Dillabough. NT 17 Jan 1973: These hockey pros had their start here.
1971
“SUE DAVIES HONOURED ON HER RETIREMENT”
She trained as a nurse in Lady Minto Hospital, Cochrane. In 1934 she returned to Smooth Rock Falls.
In wintertime the medical team used a make-shift snowmobile. On one occasion it got stuck. Miss Davies walked the rest of the way and delivered a baby, who was to become one of the local hockey players, Jean Paul Parisé. Director of nursing in 1949 [when our 4th hospital opened which was located on the bank of the Mattagami River], held that position until she retired on March 1st. “Susie” was the 1st woman to become an Abitibi Quarter Century member in 1959.
SILVER LINKS GREEN
Careful cropping of a Silver Links Green, 3-hole golf course adjacent to the Mattagami River.
“GOULET’S ESSO UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT”
Taken over by son, Kent. Now known as “Kent’s Esso Service”. Joseph and Alice Goulet were the owners for 37 years.
TWISTER IN SRF
On September 21 at approximately 5:40 p.m. a twister hit SRF, lasting 3-5 minutes. Heavy rain accompanied the high winds. A TV tower at McCafferty's Store, tested for 85-mph wind, was sheared at its base and demolished. Milkman, Gérard Breton, was caught between his house and truck. The wind picked him up off the ground and he glided in the air for about 10 feet. Due to the number of large tree branches in the street. 3rd Avenue was virtually impassable.
NEW OPP BUILDING
“New OPP Building To Cost $60,000” to be erected on the corner of Hwy 11 and 4th St. [Junction Road]. NT 19 May 1971: “Tour OPP Facilities”.
“ROYAL BANK APPOINTMENT”
“EMERGENCY POWER PLANT DELIVERED TO HOSPITAL”
[4th hospital]. A 1700 lb generating plant.
NT 01 Mar 1972 – “New Power System Now In Operation”.
J.F.M. Coutu, Manager.
“EYE EXAMS CAN BE CARRIED OUT IN VAN”
1972
PLANS FOR A MALL
The old Abitibi bunkhouse built in 1920 and once housing 400 men, was purchased by D. Mateev & Sons of Kapuskasing. They planned to tear it down and build a mini-mall.
A mobile eye care van, the 2nd of its kind in Canada, will soon make its rounds through Ontario. The van will be ready to roll by the summer of ’72. Lions Clubs to co-ordinate the eye care program.
“RECALLS 10-HOUR DAY AT 25 CENTS AN HOUR”
Retiring from Abitibi Leonard Biglow, foreman of electrical department. Leonard began working at “the mill” in 1923.
1973
GOLDEN AGE CLUB
REACH FOR THE TOP
“Reach For The Top” programs. “They reached for the top – and got there!” Appearing on TV: Dennie Noonan, Lyle Colaiezzi, Danny Drolet, Cynthia Davies and Louise Gauthier amassed the highest score although representing the smallest school.
TRINITY UNITED CHURCH 54TH ANNIVERSARY
54th Anniversary Marked By Smooth Rock Falls Trinity United Church. In 1951 this church took on its present appearance with the addition of a basement, vestibule and steeple.
“HISTORY OF SWIMMING”
The Smooth Rock Falls Swim Team honoured.
Article includes a long list of various great competitive SRF swimmers.
1974
APPLICATION APPROVAL
On October 16 the Ontario Municipal Board approved Kendrey's amalgamation application.
ABITIBI-PRICE INC.
In November, the take-over of the Price Company by Abitibi Paper Company created the world's largest newsprint empire, Abitibi-Price Inc.
On December 2 the Golden Age Club officially opened a drop-in centre in the basement of the Community Club in the area of the old bowling alleys.
ROAD TO TIMMINS
Town and Kendrey will not support the proposed road to Timmins if it is built on the west side of Smooth Rock Falls. Want the road built on the east side of Smooth Rock Falls.
DR. GEOFFREY MIZBAH
Appointment of Dr. Geoffrey Mizbah as Chief of Staff, Sensenbrenner Hospital, Kapuskasing. Previously spent 10 years practising medicine in Smooth Rock Falls.
“OPP CORPORAL [LORNE] NEVE”
Transferred to Wawa [was posted in SRF for 10 years.]
“CONTINENT’S SHORTEST RAILWAY AT SMOOTH ROCK FALLS”
To mark Canada’s centennial year in 1967 Abitibi presented the town with Engine 100, which is permanently mounted in from of The Inn [on the corner of Hollywood Avenue and 4th Street].
SRF POLICE FORCE
The Smooth Rock Falls Police Force was disbanded this week [Sep 18] with coverage being assigned to the Ontario Provincial Police.
"JEAN-PAUL PARISÉ GIVEN KEYS TO SRF"
“Jean-Paul Parisé Given Keys To Smooth Rock.
NP 23 Aug 1973: “JP” scored the first Canadian goal in the 1972 Canada-Russian hockey series. NT 22 Aug 1973, NP 23 Aug 1973.
MNR OFFICE
Council moves to phase out Ministry [MNR] office in town.
FORMER MAYOR HUMBLED
Philip Kelly scored a rousing victory over incumbent mayor Alex Roberts to gain the mayoralty at Smooth Rock Falls.
Votes: P. Kelly 911, Alex Roberts 281.
Councillors elected: Richard Pulsifer, Andre Hurtubise, Herve Couture,
Michael McCafferty, Francois Bordeleau, Marcel Leroux.
1976
“ABITIBI MILL FINALLY ENDS 7-MONTH STRIKE”
Returned to work after having been on strike since July 14, 1975.
"SMOOTH ROCK FALLS LANDMARK BITES THE DUST"
The bunkhouse, constructed in 1919, served as home for the swarms of workers being hired by the Old Mattagami Paper Mill.
1977
“SMOOTH ROCK FALLS SWIMMER TRAINING WITH A TOP ONTARIO CLUB”
Jennie Latham daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Malcolm Latham.
SHORT BUT IMPORTANT
WISEWAY HOME AND BUILDING CENTRE
“Grand Opening of Wiseway Home and Building Centre – B.C.D. Building Supplies Ltd. Smooth Rock Falls, E on Highway 11. [Co-owners: Ray Blouin, Rheal Chevalier, Lucien Dallaire]
1975
AMALGAMATION AFTER ALL
Amalgamation of Kendrey Township and the town of Smooth Rock Falls went into effect on January 1.
“NAMING OF TOWNSHIP AND LAKES IN HONOUR OF LOCAL CITIZENS”
- Bordeleau Twp. [SW of Chapleau] named in honour of François Bordeleau, former Reeve of Kendrey Township.
- Moore Lake, in Inglis Township, N of Cochrane, named in memory of Thomas Moore Sr.
“SMOOTH ROCK QUEEN HONORS HER COMMUNITY”
Marjory Sword, is 2nd runner-up in 2nd annual Northern Ontario Winter Carnival Association Queen Pageant held in North Bay April 4th and 5th.
“STRIKE GATHERS MOMENTUM”
Local 32 on strike since Monday. This “protest” was just prior to the 1975 strike which started on July 14th.
1979
“NEW HIGHWAY OPENS IN AREA”
North America’s shortest, chartered, standard gauge railroad will celebrate its 50th year as a corporation this year [Incorporated in 1927]. The right-of-way for the Mattagami was cleared in 1915 and a year later track was laid and the first train chugged over the rails.
Kapuskasing Press, 03 Aug 1977 “Shortest Chartered Railway Runs Out of Smooth Rock Falls”
Highway 655 begins at Driftwood on Highway 11, 25 kms from Smooth Rock Falls. Work has been underway since last fall. Road opened a little earlier than the late November date forecasted.
“NEW TOWN CLERK TAKES OFFICE”
“TOWN COMPLETED NUMBERING”
Houses in Smooth Rock Falls have now been officially numbered. Northern Telephone Ltd. had advised the Town that no more telephones would be installed in town until houses were numbered.
David Emmons coached by retiring clerk-administrator Lionel Courtney. Lionel has 30 years’ service with Town of Smooth Rock Falls.
“HOST SWIM TEAM WINNER OF K OF C MEET”
KELLY PARK
June 24 – July 2, 1979. It was the eighth victory for the Smooth Rock Falls team in the nine-year history of this event.
Official opening of Kelly Park, Sunday, Sept. 4, 1977.
MISCELLANEOUS
“STUDENTS GO ON STRIKE FOR SMOOTH ROCK FALLS TEACHER”
The Board of Trustees decided not to renew Roger Besner’s contract for 1977-78.
- “Number of reasons cited for dismissal of teacher.”
- “Smooth Rock Falls Students Are In Class”
- “40 Smooth Rock Falls Students Face Suspension For Walking Out”
- Golden Jubilee Celebration (1929-1979).
- Smooth Rock Falls Hospital, History of 1916-1949, & 1970s.
-“50ieme anniversaire de l’école Ste. Gertrude”
-“Smooth Rock Falls 1929-1979” Celebrations
Articles and pictures
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