A crest with two deer on one side, a deer on the other and a beaver on top The idea of amalgamating the separate cities of Fort William and Port Arthur has been brought up again and again over the years, long before the cities officially combined to become Thunder Bay in 1970. Amalgamation was formally discussed as early as 1910, although it would be another sixty years before Fort William and Port Arthur became one city.

Over the years, many names were suggested for the amalgamated city, by officials and members of the public alike. Some of the suggested names included:

  • Port Edward
  • Williamsport
  • Westport
  • WestgatePort
  • Thurwilliam
  • Fort Artwill
  • Port Fort

The first public vote on the issue of amalgamation was held on January 5, 1920. Citizens of Port Arthur were asked the question: "Are you in favour of the union of the Cities of Port Arthur and Fort William, upon terms to be mutually agreed upon?" Out of a total of 1923 votes cast, 1183 were in favour of union, and 740 were against. Although the majority were in favour of amalgamation, no further action was taken.

The same question was asked again in both Port Arthur and in Fort William in 1958: "Are you in favour of the amalgamation of the City of Port Arthur and the City of Fort William as one city?" This vote would not be legally binding, and many questioned whether it was worth the trouble to ask the question. The results of the plebiscite were as follows:

  • Fort William, 1 December 1958
    Votes for: 4209
    Votes against: 6827
  • Port Arthur, 8 December 1958
    Votes for: 5468
    Votes against: 5331 

In 1969, the City of the Lakehead Act was issued by Ontario Minister of Municipal Affairs Darcy McKeough. This act decreed that Fort William and Port Arthur would amalgamate as of January 1, 1970, creating a new, larger city. Citizens were asked to select the city's new name by vote, with three candidates to choose from: "Lakehead," "The Lakehead," and "Thunder Bay."

The new name of Thunder Bay won by a narrow margin, and in 1970, after more than 50 years of discussion and controversy, the two cities became one.

Name Suggestion, 1910 A cut out piece from the letter submitted suggesting a new name for amalgamation
   
Plebistice Notice, 1920 An official seal with the ink blurred obscuring the seal
   
Ballot for Amalgamation Vote, 1920 A cut out section from the top of the ballot with a hole punched in it
   
Newspaper Editorial, January 1958 A cut out section of a newspaper article on amalgamation
   
Article on Amalgamation Plans, 1958 Red wording on a beige background cut from a newspaper article
   
Article on Plebiscite, 1958 A cut out from an article on the 1958 Plebiscite
   
City of The Lakehead Act, 1969 A cut out section from the City of the Lakehead Act, 1969
   
"Songs to Amalgamate By" A cut out section of the Song to Amalgamate By lyrics

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