Ontario Provincial Police open "modern" headquarters at Chapleau in 1957

A "modern" headquarters for the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) headquarters at Chapleau was officially opened on the outskirts of the municipality  in November 1957, Margaret Costello wrote in the Sudbury Star.

The OPP had an officer stationed in Chapleau for many years prior who either used part of his home as an office, or was located in buildings in the downtown area.

 I still recall visiting Harold Kennedy, (my uncle) when he was the OPP officer in Chapleau in the early 1950s at his office in the building where the Northern Credit Union is today -- he lived in a small room behind the office. (Harold met and married my aunt, Marion Morris, while he was stationed in Chapleau.)

Maggie wrote that the new headquarters housed a courtroom, two offices, a cell block, two car garage, and living quarters  for an officer.

The courtroom did not seem to work out too well, and was moved to the Royal Canadian Legion Hall where provincial court was held on a monthly basis for many years.

However, the cell block replaced the "town jail" located for years below the fire hall. Despite the  new headquarters, the OPP did not replace the municipal police force until 1967 when it was disbanded by the council.

Ron Lewis

Ron Lewis was the officer in charge when the new headquarters was opened, being promoted to Corporal, and remaining in Chapleau until 1971. It became a two officer detachment with the arrival of John Craig. Ron finished his OPP as an inspector located in Kenora.

Although the only highway out of Chapleau in the 1950s, opened in 1949, was Highway 129, the OPP had a huge area to cover as they were responsible for the small communities near Chapleau which were becoming very busy with lumber companies establishing operations throughout the area. They would also travel by CPR to communities west of Chapleau to about White River.

At the official opening of the headquarters, Ontario Attorney General Kelso Roberts pointed out that it came at a time of major construction for the OPP in both Southern and Northern Ontario. Mr. Roberts said Chapleau was one of the "strategic locations.

"

It also came as Chapleau was experiencing what is often referred to as its "boom years" with expansion by the Canadian Pacific Railway, and lumber companies arriving after the huge forest fire of 1948.

Chapleau Reeve Leo Racicot took the opportunity to push for a highway to Foleyet, and on to Timmins, having a number of provincial dignitaries on hand for the opening.

"It would be a natural tourist route ... around by Timmins, and I am sure it would benefit all concerned," Mr. Racicot said.

Highway 101 to Timmins officially opened in 1962.

Participating in the opening ceremonies from Chapleau were the reeve, Father A. Marchand of Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church and Rev. Frank Leigh of St. John's Anglican Church. A dinner was held catered to by the ladies of the Senior WA of St. John's with Arthur Grout as chairman.  Former Chapleau resident E.D. Wilkins, who was now the Crown Attorney was also present.

My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Doug Greig recognized importance of community's cultural history and passing it on to future generations

For almost eight years now, I have been writing a weekly column about the life and times of Chapleau, and although many people have provided research assistance, Doug Greig is surely at the top of my list.

Some years ago, Doug took over providing content for chapleaupubliclibrary.com the successor to a site established by Hugh Kuttner, taking it to the next level as an incredible resource for all of us interested in the history of Chapleau.

The site itself recognizes Doug's enormous contribution in "meticulously digitizing more than 54,000 pages" about Chapleau.

Since learning that Doug had died on March 6. 2017 in a car accident, I have visited the site often, reflecting on the passion Doug had for the community in ensuring that its story will remain alive for generations to come.

I had my first chat with Doug at the 90th anniversary reunion of Chapleau High School in 2012, when he was a member of the committee, and also sitting on the municipal council. He served several terms on council.

Ever since, Doug has responded to any requests for assistance that I needed as I wrote my columns.  I have also accessed information from the web site.

In 2015, when I was home for the launch of "The Chapleau Boys Go To War" which I co-authored with my cousin Michael McMullen, I was chatting with Doug again, and asked if some time he could provide me with  digitized copies of The Chapleau Post and Chapleau Sentinel.

Hours later, before I left town, Doug delivered them to me.

Doug was also of great assistance to Michael and I when we were working on our book. We noted that he provided "incredible research support. Doug seemed to be available 24/7 in responding to requests."

He was also a staunch supporter of the Chapleau Centennial Museum.

Another significant contribution he made to Chapleau's history were his very complete histories of J.E. Martel and Sons Lumber Ltd, A and L Lafreniere Lumber Ltd. and Sheppard and Morse Ltd. all available in Chapleau Trails, edited and published by Dr. William R. Pellow.

I extend my most sincere sympathy to his wife Anne, his family and friends, who have lost one of the community's most passionate citizens ever! However, his legacy will assuredy include his efforts to make its history available to future generations. 

I asked Ian Macdonald if he would contribute his thoughts about working with Doug, and I extend my thanks to him for responding so quickly. Ian attended Chapleau Public and Chapleau High schools, and has a continuing interest in Chapleau and area. He is Professor Emeritus and retired head of the department of architecture at the University of Manitoba.

 Here is Ian:

"Doug Greig recognized the importance of recording the cultural history of the community and the importance of passing those expressions of living from generation to generation.

"Doug’s passion clearly was developing chapleaupubliclibrary.com into the website of choice for anyone seeking any information on the history of Chapleau. This multi layered website provides both information and insight in to the life and times of the community from before the time it was established in 1885 to the present day.

"Doug understood the challenge of posterity and the importance of accuracy. Many of our e-mail exchanges over an article or a photograph were directed at establishing the correct date and proper identification of individuals to make the context of the image as informative as possible.

"Doug also understood that overlaying items of information with personal bias or speculative interpretation of events would ultimately render information useless.  He had excellent editorial instincts but, at the same time, resisted the urge to be judgemental and avoided any personal editorials other than “this might be of interest”.

"During the time I was exploring something for publication, he would continually forward items from the archives that he thought might be relevant or of interest. My most recent exchange of information related to an article that Mike McMullen and I did on the hauling of supplies from Chapleau to the crews building the Canadian Northern Railway at Elsas in 1912. I’m afraid that I’ll always associate that particular story as my last collaboration with Doug.

"I only met Doug in person briefly at the Library in Chapleau on three or four occasions when I happened to be in town. We got to know each other over time through the e-mail exchange of images, articles or archiving protocol.

 "I felt his loss, however, as deeply as if he were a family member as did many colleagues of mine who still research and write about the community. Chapleau has lost an important citizen and highly respected community advocate."

Thanks Ian... My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Chapleau High School Friends Facebook Group indicates great interest in reunion to celebrate 100th anniversary of the school in 2022

CHS Field Day. Dr Karl Hackstetter walking off field on right

When Janice (Corston)  Whitely started a "Chapleau High School Friends" group on Facebook, she was not intending to launch a movement towards a reunion to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Chapleau High School in 2022.

But it happened in short order, as the group passed 2,000 members by Friday March 3 within a couple of weeks. It was still growing as I wrote this column.

In the interests of full disclosure though, I was invited to join and found myself inviting Facebook friends to become members too -- and like Janice, with no thought of a reunion, at least in the beginning.

I chatted with Janice, the daughter of Irene and Charles Corston, about what happened.

She advised that what was "so funny about this" was that she did not intentionally start the group with a thought of a reunion.

"I don't know how it really got started. The fact that it has reached 2,000 people is quite amazing. My take on it is, it must be meant to be.

This building renovated became CHS

"I'm sure many people are interested and would attend. Chapleau was a special place and remains strong in our memories. Solid friendships helped us navigate through were formed there. I am grateful that some of those friendships are still a very important part of my life."

So, although Janice didn't plan to start a movement towards a reunion, she added that the "momentum to make it happen seems strong" given the interest in the Facebook group.

"As in previous reunions I am sure many would love another opportunity to tread those paths and spend time with family and friends who helped create some special memories," she added.

Although the response to the group has been amazing, and great interest has been expressed in having a 100th anniversary reunion five years from now, it is far from a done deal by any means.

1181 CHS Cadet Corps circa 1926. A E 'Gus' Evans on left

Graham Bertrand, who chaired the last reunion on the occasion of the school's 90th anniversary in 2012, and has been involved in all major Chapleau celebrations, and other major events for more than 40 years, and I had a chat about the possibility.

Although Graham is interested, he pointed out that to make it happen will require "old and new blood" who would sit on a committee and make a commitment for five years.

"It took over three years to get the last one done so commitment is a big part of it. Once involved, you can't stop now in the midst of the planning."

The girls of CHS circa 1926

He added that the support of the municipal council would also be required for an undertaking of this magnitude.

Graham noted that to have 2,000 names already is a big plus.

 Graham would not commit to serving as Chair. commenting that "maybe there is someone that wants to chair. I have no problem working with new blood."

But he is interested as always, and "can't self appoint myself," Graham said from Florida where he is on vacation, and was expecting nine family members to join him.

Graham at opening of 2012 reunion. MJ behind him

However, upon his return to Chapleau, further discussions will take place.  Graham says "Keep Smiling!"

Since the group was formed, and interest grew, I have received messages from folks pointing out that not everyone is on Facebook so plans would have to be made to reach beyond social media. Although I use social media, most of my Chapleau friends from my growing up years there are not using it.

In 1994, I taught my first new media course, Writing for New (Social) Media at College of the Rockies, a year before we launched our graduate program in New Media Communications.

Over the past couple of weeks, since Janice invited me to join the Chapleau High School Friends group, I have seen a great example of its positive use, as the membership grew, bringing people together who may not have been in touch for many years -- in fact in my case almost 50 years.Wow!

Let me conclude with a short anecdote about the Chapleau High School Boys Volleyball team who won a championship in the 1979-80 school year. I posted a photo of the team on the group, and in no time at all, many of the players had responded --- they were having a virtual reunion, kidding each other and chatting like they were back at CHS -- including where were their orange jackets!

The Volleyball champs. Names Below

The photo "brings back great memories. Still grateful... Best experience ever," one player commented. One of their fans commented: "A wonderful bunch of guys .. the source of a lot of laughter in my teens..." and much more, all in great fun.

I have included a photo of the volleyball team, and also some from the school's early years. Thanks Janice for the group, and all the best to Graham and those who will work make the 100th anniversary reunion happen. As Graham reminds us, "Keep Smiling". 

Stay tuned for more news. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

THE 1979-80 CHS TEAM --Volleyball champs: Back row from left Steve Cavalier, Dan Morin, Dan Tebbutt, Don Swanson, Rob Serrre, Brad Gilbert, Steve Millson. Front from left Tim Morin, Billy Hong, Larry Martel