Each municipality across Ontario is required by Section 27 of the Ontario Heritage Act to keep a publicly accessible register of the City's formally Designated Heritage Properties and properties deemed culturally, historically, or architecturally interesting relative to heritage and deemed so, by the community's Heritage Advisory Committee.

The City of Thunder Bay Heritage Register includes:

  • twenty-six (26) formally designated municipal heritage properties
  • fifty (50) listed heritage properties (not formally designated)
  • one (1) Heritage Conservation District

City of Thunder Bay - Heritage Register. Established by: Report No. 2008.060 (Office of the City Clerk) - Heritage Register; Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008

Designated heritage properties

Formal designation by City By-law provides the property with protection against demolition or alteration.

1. Pagoda - 170 Red River Road

Pagoda

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1979; By-law Number: 90

 

2. CN Station - 2212 Sleeping Giant Parkway (Formerly 9 Water Street South)

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1979; By-law Number: 258

 

3. Trinity United Church - 30 Algoma Street South

Trinity United Church

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1979; By-law Number: 362

 

4. Brodie Resource Library - 216 Brodie Street South

Brodie Resource Library

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1981; By-law Number: 76

 

5. Coo House - 135 Archibald Street North

Coo House

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1981; By-law Number: 317

 

6. Fort William Collegiate Institute - 512 Marks Street South

Fort William Collegiate Institute

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1983; By-law Number: 104

 

7. Central School - 10 Algoma Street South

Central School

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1983; By-law Number: 105

 

8. Port Arthur Collegiate Institute - 401 Red River Road

Port Arthur Collegiate Institute

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1983; By-law Number: 106

 

9. St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church - 211 Brodie Street South

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1984; By-law Number: 197

 

10. James Murphy Residence - 431 Selkirk Street South

Murphy House

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1985; By-law Number: 147

 

11. Ottawa House - 38-40 Cumberland Street South

Ottawa House

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1987; By-law Number: 35

 

12. Royal Edward Arms - 114 May Street South

Royal Edward Arms

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1988; By-law Number: 176

 

13. Arlington Apartments - 230 Brodie Street North

Arlington Apartments

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1988; By-law Number: 230

 

14. Virgil School of Music - 337 Van Norman Street

Virgil School of Music

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1989; By-law Number: 109

 

15. Black Bay Bridge - Arundel & Lyon Blvd.

Black Bay Bridge

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1989; By-law Number: 263

 

16. Finnish Labour Temple - 314 Bay Street

Finnish Labour Temple

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1991; By-law Number: 74

 

17. Lornehurst - 294 Court Street North

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1991; By-law Number: 75

 

18. Chippewa Park Carousel - Chippewa Park

Chippewa Park Carousel

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1991; By-law Number: 129

 

19. Blake's Funeral Chapel - 200 May Street South

Blake's Funeral Chapel

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1992; By-law Number: 257

 

20. McKibbin House - 131 Court Street North

McKibbin House

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1992; By-law Number: 258

 

21. Thunder Bay Multicultural Centre - 17 Court Street North

Thunder Bay Multicultural Centre

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1994; By-law Number: 105

 

22. Bank of Commerce - 409 Victoria Avenue East

Bank of Commerce

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1994; By-law Number: 106

 

23. Thunder Bay Museum - 425 Donald Street East

Thunder Bay Museum

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 1995; By-law Number: 204

 

24. Polish Hall - 818 Spring Street

Polish Hall

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 2004; By-law: 28

 

25. Whalen Building - 34 Cumberland Street North

Whalen Building

Committee of the Whole - April 28, 2008; Report No. 2008.060

Year Added: 2004; By-law Number: 29

 

26. Vickers Park - 1700 Arthur Street East

Committee of the Whole - January 24, 2022; Report No. R 15/2022

Year Added: 2022; By-law Number: 47

 

Listed heritage properties (not formally designated)

Properties on the Heritage Registry which have not undergone formal designation are provided with interim protection. Owners of these properties are required to give City Council sixty (60) days notice of their intention to demolish. This allows time for Council to decide whether to begin the designation process, which provides properties with permanent protection. The Heritage Advisory Committee and City Council have recognized these sites to be of historical interest and cultural value. Following more research, analysis and public consultation some of these properties may be designated as heritage properties at a later date.

1. Graham City Livery - 220 Cooke Street *Demolished

Graham City Livery

Committee of the Whole - May 26, 2008

Does not warrant Committee of the Whole - June 23, 2008

 

2. Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel & Suites - 17 Cumberland Street North

Prince Arthur Hotel

Committee of the Whole - March 2, 2009; Report No. 2009.029

 

3. McIntyre House - 1017 Isabella Street East

McIntyre House

Committee of the Whole - March 2, 2009; Report No. 2009.029

 

4. Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Transfiguration - 629 McIntosh Street

Ukrainian Catholic Church of the Transfiguration

Committee of the Whole - March 2, 2009; Report No. 2009.029

 

5. O'Kelly VC Armoury - 317 Park Avenue

Thunder Bay Armoury

Committee of the Whole - June 22, 2009; Report No. 2009.110

 

6. Federal Building - 130 Syndicate Avenue South

Federal Building

Committee of the Whole - June 22, 2009; Report No. 2009.110

 

7. Revenue Canada Building - 201 May Street North

Revenue Canada Building

Committee of the Whole - June 22, 2009; Report No. 2009.110

 

8. CPR Union Station - 440 Syndicate Avenue South

CPR Union Station

Committee of the Whole - June 22, 2009; Report No. 2009.110

 

9. Thunder Bay District Court House - 277 Camelot Street

Thunder Bay District Court House

Committee of the Whole - June 22, 2009; Report No. 2009.110

 

10. Thunder Bay Jail and Thunder Bay Governor's Residence - 285 McDougall Street

Thunder Bay Jail and Thunder Bay Governor's Residence

Committee of the Whole - June 22, 2009; Report No. 2009.110

 

11. McKellar Lift Bridge - Island Drive

Committee of the Whole - June 22, 2009; Report No. 2009.110

 

12. Kaministiquia (Kam) Bascule Bridge - 106th Street

Kaministiquia (Kam) Bascule Bridge

Committee of the Whole - June 22, 2009; Report No. 2009.110

 

13. Knox United Church - 303 Pruden Street

Knox United Church

Committee of the Whole - October 26, 2009; Report No. 2009.179

 

14. Wiley Estate / St. Joseph's Manor House - 640 Red River Road

Wiley Estate / St. Joseph's Manor House

Committee of the Whole - October 26, 2009; Report No. 2009.179

 

15. Lyceum Theatre - 12-22 Cumberland Street North

Lyceum Theatre

Committee of the Whole - October 26, 2009; Report No. 2009.179

 

16. Wesley United Church - 130 Brodie Street North

Wesley United Church

Committee of the Whole - October 26, 2009; Report No. 2009.179

 

17. Bishop's Residence - 1306 Ridgeway Street East

Bishop's Residence

Committee of the Whole - January 25, 2010; Report No. 2010.034

 

18. Dr. Dewar's - 121 McKellar Street South

Dr. Dewar's

Committee of the Whole - January 25, 2010; Report No. 2010.034

 

19. H.M.C.S. Griffon - 125 Algoma Street North

H.M.C.S. Griffon

Committee of the Whole - January 25, 2010; Report No. 2010.034

 

20. Lighthouse on the Breakwall - Marina / Harbour

Lighthouse on the Breakwall

Committee of the Whole - January 25, 2010; Report No. 2010.034

 

21. Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - 716 Pacific Avenue

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Committee of the Whole - January 25, 2010; Report No. 2010.034

 

22. St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church - 700 McIntosh Street

St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church

Committee of the Whole - January 25, 2010; Report No. 2010.034

 

23. Dease Pool - 370 Vickers Street North *Demolished

Committee of the Whole - March 15, 2010; Report No. 2010.068

 

24. Heath Pool - 1251 Heath Street

Heath Pool

Committee of the Whole - March 15, 2010; Report No. 2010.068

 

25. Maudslay Court Apartments - 151 Court Street North

Maudslay Court Apartments

Committee of the Whole - June 28, 2010; Report No. 2010.146

 

26. George Graham Residence - 400 Archibald Street South

George Graham Residence

Committee of the Whole - September 27, 2010; Report No. 2010.189

 

27. John King Residence - 302 Archibald Street South

John King Residence

Committee of the Whole - September 27, 2010; Report No. 2010.189

 

28. Ross Residence - 400 Catherine Street South

Ross Residence

Committee of the Whole - September 27, 2010; Report No. 2010.189

 

29. Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame - 219 May Street South

Northwestern Ontario Sports Hall of Fame

Committee of the Whole - September 27, 2010; Report No. 2010.189

 

30. Canadian Car & Foundry National Historic Site of Canada - 1001 Montreal Street

Committee of the Whole - September 27, 2010, Report No. 2010.189

 

31. Fort William Grain Exchange - Chapple Building - 701 Victoria Avenue East

Fort William Grain Exchange - Chapple Building

Committee of the Whole - November 22, 2010; Report No. 2010.219

 

32. Atkinson's Jewellers - 8 Cumberland Street South

Committee of the Whole - July 25, 2011; Report No. 2011.058

 

33. Bank of Montreal / Prospector Steak House - 27 Cumberland Street South

Committee of the Whole - July 25, 2011, Report No. 2011.058

 

34. Ruttan Block 2-18 Court Street South

Committee of the Whole - July 25, 2011; Report No. 2011.058

 

35. St. Paul's Anglican Church - 808 Ridgeway Street East

Committee of the Whole - July 25, 2011; Report No. 2011.058

 

36. Paterson Building / TBT Engineering Ltd. 1918 Yonge Street

Committee of the Whole - July 25, 2011; Report No. 2011.058

 

37. Iron Ore Dock - 490 Maureen Street

Committee of the Whole - July 25, 2011; Report No. 2011.058

 

38. Former Hillcrest High School - 96 High Street North

Committee of the Whole - July 25, 2011; Report No. 2011.058

 

39. St. Patrick High School - 621 Selkirk Street South

Committee of the Whole - July 25, 2011; Report No. 2011.058

 

40. McVicar Manor - 146 Court Street North

Committee of the Whole - July 25, 2011; Report No. 2011.058

 

41. Windrose (F.R. Morris Residence) - 1100 Ridgeway Street East

Report No. 2013.112

 

42. Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery - 1705 Arthur Street West

Report No. 2013.112

 

43. Saint John the Evangelist Anglican Church - 226-228 Pearl Street

Report No. 2014.014

 

44. Times-Journal Building - 115 May Street North

Report No. 2014.014

 

45. Cenotaph Monument - 500 Donald Street East

Report No. 2014.014

 

46. Caledonia Building - 317 Victoria Avenue East

Report No. 2015.183

 

47. St. Ansgarius Swedish Church - 179 Secord Street *Demolished

Report No. 2015.183

 

48. Paramount Theatre - 24 Court Street South

Committee of the Whole - September 30, 2019; Report No. R 129/2019 

 

49. Centennial Botanical Conservatory - 1601 Dease Street West

Committee of the Whole - September 30, 2019; Report No. R 129/2019 

 

50. The Doctor's Cottage - 281 Ray Court

Committee of the Whole - June 27, 2022; Report No. R 104/2022

 

Heritage conservation districts

Waverley Park Heritage Conservation District

The Waverley Park Heritage Conservation District is an area of older stately residential buildings and churches that were recognized and protected by municipal bylaw in 1988, under Part V of the Ontario Heritage Act. The District encompasses approximately 70 properties, surrounding historic Waverley Park, and is located approximately 500 metres west of Lake Superior on Red River Road.

Waverley Park Site Map

One of the buildings within the Waverley Park Heritage Conservation District is the Masonic Hall on Red River Road.

Potential Heritage Conservation Districts 

Proposed McVicar Creek - Harrington Court Heritage Conservation District

In 2004, a background report was compiled as a necessary step towards creating the proposed McVicar Creek - Harrington Court Conservation District. The report includes a historical overview and architectural study (13MB) and appendices.

The report also includes a review of 20 area buildings:

170 Algoma St. N.

6 Emmerson Ave.

10 Emmerson Ave.

18 Emmerson Ave.

23 Emmerson Ave.

29 Emmerson Ave.

32 Emmerson Ave.

30 Emmerson Ave.

269 Ray Ct.

275 Ray Ct.

281 Ray Ct.

131 Court St. N.

146 Court St. N.

151 Court St. N.

184 Court St. N.

260 Harrington Ave.

270 Harrington Ave.

288 Harrington Ave.

294 Harrington Ave.

26 Nugent St. *demolished

 

Other potential heritage conservation districts

Several other areas of the City have been identified as potential candidate areas for the creation of additional Heritage Conservation Districts. The heritage district designation process usually involves many properties and therefore requires a number of steps.

Heritage property protection

In 2005, the Province amended the Ontario Heritage Act to improve protection offered to designated heritage properties.

Additional heritage features

Heritage features also include archaeological sites, built features such as bridges and can include heritage trees or heritage landscapes. The Regional Archaeologist, in the office of the Ministry of Culture provides input, and may establish conditions before land subdivision or development can take place on or near areas of archaeological potential.

In 2003, the Heritage Advisory Committee provided the Engineering Division with extensive input, resulting in the heritage sensitive design of the new Simpson Street Bridge over the Neebing River.

 Making changes to heritage properties
Properties appearing on Thunder Bay’s Municipal Heritage Register (both Designated and Listed) have levels of protection under the Ontario Heritage Act. The  process involved regarding alterations to heritage properties is available upon request.

Presentations to the Heritage Advisory Committee are part of the process when seeking to make changes to a heritage property. Tips for Presenting to the Heritage Advisory Committee (HAC)is a helpful resource when preparing to appear before HAC.

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