Chapleau 'boom years' underway as Canadian Pacific Railway shops undergo change to accommodate diesel power in 1950

Reeve B W. Zufelt

Work was being "pushed forward rapidly" on the changeover at the Canadian Pacific Railway shops at Chapleau to accommodate diesel power which would soon be operating out of Chapleau, according to a Chapleau Post article in April 1950.

But what has been referred to as "Chapleau's Boom Years" were well underway as  the community celebrated  its 50th anniversary as a municipality in 1951.

For example, on the municipal scene a sewage plant and system had  been completed and the Chapleau Memorial Community Arena was officially opened in February 1951. Some streets had been paved.

Highway 129 between Chapleau and Thessalon was officially opened in 1949, and following the forest fire of 1948 lumber companies arrived on the scene.

At one point, it was expected that Chapleau would be on the main route of the Trans Canada Highway, and Reeve B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt appeared in The Globe and Mail pointing out the route. It didn't happen.

Arthur Grout of Smith and Chapple Ltd. expanded with a new building on the "other side" of Main Street, while Charles W. Collins built on the corner of Birch and Lorne Streets right across from the "new" post office. Other new businesses were established.

Back to the CPR. In 1949 the first diesel powered passenger train arrived in Chapleau to be greeted with much excitement. Like almost every school kid in town, I was there!

Meanwhile, the changes at the shops at a cost of an expected $250,000 was scheduled for completion by the summer of 1950.

"The shops are a beehive of industry as construction crews tear down walls and build new ones," the Chapleau Post reported in April 1950.

The article added that three power shovels were on the job moving rubble made by the smashing down of walls, unloading gravel for new cement and excavating. 

It also  predicted that upon completion the Chapleau shops would be the diesel base between North Bay and the Lakehead. It was for a time.

Also, it noted that citizens who had complained for years of the smoke nuisance from the shops practically in the middle of town would no longer have anything to complain about once diesel replaced steam power. As an aside, those were the days when most washing was hung outside on a line to dry with the constant threat that soot would arrive dirtying it before it dried.

The CPR provided steam heat for the lobby and dressing rooms for the new Chapleau Memorial Arena which resulted in great savings to the municipality. 

See names below

In the 1950s there was a great deal of optimism in Chapleau about its future on many fronts. Improvements were made in many areas of community life for sure, but in due course, changes came in CPR operations, and  the Trans Canada highway never did go through the community for example.

After living through the Great Depression and World War II, perhaps J.M. 'Jack' Shoup, a veteran of World War I and II, longtime principal of Chapleau Public School, first chair of the Chapleau Recreation Committee summed up the community's attitude. Everyone had a "duty to serve and participate" to make the community a better place to live, work and play. 

And they did. I have just touched the surface of those "boom years" but growing up during them, it was awesome!  My email is mj.morris@live.ca

Photo 

Sod turning for sewage system:From left to right: Dr. David Lougheed, A.J. Grout, Cecil Smith, Foreman for Construction Company, Walter Steed,.R. Thrush, B. Zufelt (reeve), Ernest Lepine, Max Brunette, J.M. Shoup, Richard Brownlee, Dr. G.E. Young, Geo. Fife, Ovide Payette, Charles Collins. The two girls in the back are Carol Ann (babe) Chambers, Joan Kemp. 

Virus-free. www.avg.com

Missanabie Lodge No 266 of IOOF hold At Home described as one of most successful parties of year

Missanabie Lodge No. 266 of the Independent Order of Oddfellows (IOOF) held their 'At Home' which was described in the Chapleau Post as "without a doubt one of the most successful parties of the year."

The lodge, instituted in Chapleau on May 16, 1888 remains the community's oldest fraternal organization in 2019.

As this At Home was held during World War II the article noted that "On one wall was a large Union Jack in the centre of which hung a frame containing the names of those Oddfellows" serving in Canada's armed forces.

"At seven p.m. more than 200 Oddfellows, Rebekahs and friends sat down to a delicious turkey banquet. The supper was in charge of Sincerity Rebekah Lodge. The tables were tastefully decorated and the guests wore coloured paper hats. The hall looked quite gay with its pink, blue and white streamers and lanterns."

The At Home was held in the Town Hall basement, the location for so many community events between 1914 and 1978 when the Chapleau Civic Centre was opened. The lodge room was on the second floor which was also the Council Chambers.

Founding members 1888

Following the supper chairman Reg Thrush spoke a few words of welcome followed by a toast to the Order by Borden McLeod.

B.W. 'Bubs' Zufelt proposed a toast to those who were serving in the country's armed forces which was responded to by Ross Whitney.

After the toasts Mr. Thrush presented cigarettes to Jack Whitney, Ross Whitney and Lloyd Whitney who were in the armed forces. He added that cigarettes had been sent to Lodge members overseas. 

Nine of the ladies present who had husbands overseas were presented with boxes of chocolate.

Hiram Paul was presented with a past Noble Grand jewel by  Mrs. Ross Whitney and Mrs. H. Wooton pinned on the 25 year jewel presented to E. Woodard.

Following the presentations they adjourned to the auditorium on the main floor of the Town Hall where Arthur Grout was in charge of the entertainment which got underway with a sing song of some popular tunes of the day. Mr. Lauder played the piano accordion. 

Mrs. Bill Stedman and Mrs. Norman Veit "favoured" the audience with solos and both ladies were called upon for encores.

The article says Mr. Grout told "a very amusing story" but no details on it were provided. He also showed some photos. 

The evening ended with a dance with Mr. Darby getting it underway leading everyone in the Grand March and the dance floor, back in the basement, was filled to capacity. Dancing of all kinds continued until two a.m. with a break at midnight  for cake and coffee.

The article concludes: "It was a most enjoyable social evening and will long be remembered by those present". As I was working on this column, it brought back many fond memories of growing up in Chapleau, and in the 1950s, a bit later than this event, my friends and I would look through the basement windows to watch the proceedings. Sometimes my grandmothers Lil Morris and Edythe Hunt would be helping with the catering for a banquet, and we would sneak into the hall by the back door, and head to the kitchen for a treat.  Those really were the days my friends.

Thanks again to Margaret Rose (Payette) and Bobby Fortin for kindly loaning me the Richard Brownlee Papers. My email is mj.morris@live.ca

St. John's Parish House completed in 1919 became 'The Legion' a lasting landmark in history of Chapleau

From St. John's Parish House completed in 1919 to the Royal Canadian Legion Hall of today, the building is a "lasting landmark" in the history of Chapleau. 

Writing about the hall in 2006 in his Snapshots of Chapleau's Past article, the late George Evans wrote "May it still be going strong  in 2019, serving the town and always reminding those who took the time to lean back and read the inscription above the door of the sacrifice and pain of the barbarous 20th century."

The inscription reads: "St. John's Parish House. In memory of Lt. Lorne W. Nicholson and all those who voluntarily gave their lives in the Great War. Erected by his father and mother A.D. 1919. John 15:13." There was an official opening in 1920.

Mr. Evans noted that it is "significant" that Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson did not put their names on the inscription. They were content be remembered as the father and mother of Lorne Nicholson.

John 15:13 reads: "Greater love hath no man than this; that a man lay down his life for his friends". (KJV)

Lorne W. Nicholson. the son of George and Charlotte (Weller) Nicholson, went overseas with the First Chapleau Platoon of the famous 227th Battalion of the Sudbury Manitoulin Algoma Overseas Battalion (Men 'O the North). He was killed in action on November 4, 1918, one week before World War I ended.

Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson included all those who gave their lives in the war.

His father was the first reeve of Chapleau serving from 1901 when Chapleau was first incorporated in 1901 until 1913, while his mother was one of the community's first school teachers. Mr. Nicholson also served as a Member of Parlieament and was also in the lumber business.

Mr. Evans wrote that Lorne Nicholson's parents decided to "endow the community with a lasting and useful memorial.

" In a town of small buildings made of wood they caused to be built an impressive building of fired brick..." It was designed to match St. John's Church 1908 and the Town Hall 1913. Mr. Nicholson played a major role in the construction of the church and town hall.

official opening 1920

Built as a parish house for St. John's, by 1935, during the Great Depression it became too much of a financial burden for the church, especially after Mr. Nicholson died on January 1 of that year, and in due course the building was taken over by the municipality.

After Branch Number 5 (Ontario) of the Royal Canadian Legion was formed in 1926 following a founding convention in Winnipeg attended by a Chapleau delegation,  in 1925, it started to use the building. By 1955, the branch officially had bought the building when B.W. Zufelt was reeve.

Mr. Evans noted that it simply became known as 'The Legion' and had fallen into "responsible hands and continued to be a great asset to the life of Chapleau."

Upstairs became known as the Cranston Auditorium named after Frank Cranston a veteran of both World War I and II who became Chapleau's last surviving veteran of World War I. It has been used for a wide variety of functions. 

Downstairs became the Bisco Room "a legenadary place" according to George Evans.

In his article George Evans hoped that it would be going strong in 2019!!  It still is thanks to all those who have been involved with "The Legion" over the past 100 years. Congratulations.

George died in a tragic vehicle accident in 2012 shortly before the 90th anniversary reunion of Chapleau High School in 2012.

My email is mj.morris@live.ca