RED LAKE REGIONAL HERITAGE CENTRE
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Community Development

PictureBalmer Lake colony, 1940's
As hundreds moved to Red Lake for the budding mining industry, small communities began to pop up all  over the region. There are seven communities that make up the Municipality of Red Lake today, but many of the mining projects between the two gold rushes need to create their own communities because of their remote locations. For example, Uchi Gold Mines established a completely independent community with post office, trading post and jail. Likewise Cole Gold Mines built a small townsite on Pipestone Bay for their workers. Each of the communities established in the historic period had the same origins, but developed in different ways. 

The seven communities that make up the Municipality of Red Lake all have their own distinct history, character and characters. Balmertown, Cochenour, Madsen, McKenzie Island, McMarmac and Starratt-Olsen were company towns through and through. The communities started out as mine camps and moved into company built housing. Mines like Cochenour-Willans Gold Mines, Madsen Red Lake Gold Mines, Dickenson Mines and Howey Gold Mines made sure that all of their community's needs were met. The Red Lake mines continued to be involved in community betterment even after appointed and elected officials took over running of the communities. Today, the mining and exploration companies help support the local communities through a variety of efforts.

Of the seven municipal communities, Red Lake was the only non-company town, even though there were two operating mines within its borders. Red Lake rose organically, hugging the bay as homes and businesses were built. Cochenour, Madsen, Starratt-Olsen, McKenzie Island and McMarmac were constructed near their respective mines. Balmertown was created in the 1950's, relocating the Balmer Lake colony from the lake front. Because of this Balmertown was the only town that was laid out by a city planner. This move was imperative since both Campbell Red Lake Mines and Dickenson Mines were placing their mine tailings in Balmer Lake. 

Click on a topic below to learn more about the commerce, recreation, education and medical history of the area. For personal memories of growing up in the different mining communities, there are several videos below.


Commerce
Education
Medicine
Recreation

Life on McKenzie Island
Growing up in Madsen
Growing up in Red Lake
Growing up in Cochenour
Growing up in Balmertown
Memories


Timeline
Historic Red Lake Mining
Red Lake Geology
The Red Lake Gold Rushes
From Hudson to Headframe
Community Development
Commerce
Education
Medicine
Recreation
Mining Practices
Going Underground
Equipment
Extraction
Milling
The Mill Process
Safety
Refuge Station
Mine Rescue
Health Issues
Jobs
Contemporary Red Lake Mining
Environment
Labour
Innovation
Exploration
Indigenous Rights
Gold Prices
Mining and Exploration Companies
Goldcorp Inc.
Rubicon Minerals
Premier Gold Mines
Pure Gold Mining
Rimini Exploration & Consulting
Other Mining & Exploration Companies
Glossary
Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre
51A Highway 105 P.O. Box 64
Red Lake, ON, Canada
P0V 2M0
807-727-3006
heritage@redlake.ca
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The Red Lake Regional Heritage Centre is a charitable organization, funded by the Municipality of Red Lake, the Ontario Ministry of Culture, and through fundraising activities. Reg # 87315 2714 RR001.

  • Home
  • Heritage Online
    • Puzzles
    • Podcast
    • Online Programming >
      • Bannock
      • Comics: Narratives in Transition
      • Dream Catchers
      • Eco Printing
      • Flower Pounding
      • Fur Trade
      • Mushrooms
      • Pysanky
      • Suncatchers
      • Wild Teas
      • Woodland Art
  • Exhibitions and Events
    • Red Lake Speaker Series
    • Current Exhibits
    • Past Exhibits >
      • SouthPaw Photography
      • EZHI NAMANG: HOW WE SEE IT
      • Red Lake on the Move
      • Fish Stories
      • Red Lake Art Show 2016
      • Red Lake Art Show 2017
      • Red Lake Art Show 2018
      • Woodland Caribou Provincial Park
      • Fire People >
        • Fire 14-1
        • Fire 14-2
  • History
    • Red Lake History
    • Aviation History
    • Immigration
    • Residential Schools
    • Heritage Centre History
    • Red Lake District Souvenir Record
  • Gift Shop
    • Accessories >
      • Jewellery
      • Key Holders
      • Purses, Wallets & Bags
    • Local Artists >
      • Rhonda Beckman
      • Valerie Blab
      • Kaila Erb
      • Lauren Furman
      • Patrick Hunter
      • Aaron LeBlanc
      • Amy Newport
      • Hidehiro Otake
      • Mark Nadjiwan
      • Sara Ramer-Dean
      • Rebecca Saikkonen
      • Wendy Yutzy
    • Books & DVDs
    • Cards
    • Clothing >
      • Scarves & Hats
      • T-Shirts
      • Long Sleeves
      • Socks
    • Home & Kitchen >
      • Glassware
      • Home Décor
      • Kitchen
      • Mugs
    • Glass Ornaments
    • Magnets
    • Miscellaneous
    • Norval Morrisseau Designs
  • Support
    • Volunteering
    • Memberships
    • Donor Wall
  • About Us
    • Strategic Plan
    • Annual Report
    • Services
    • Our Mission
    • Collections Policy
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Staff & Board
  • Mailing List
  • Mining Map
  • Donate Now