Balmer 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 created a completely independent community with post office, trading post and jail. Likewise Cole Gold Mines established 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 the actual 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 organically rose 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. Both Campbell Red Lake Mines and Dickenson Mines were using the lake as a dumping place for their mine tailings. Because of this move happened, Balmertown was the only town that was laid out by a city planner.
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.
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 the actual 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 organically rose 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. Both Campbell Red Lake Mines and Dickenson Mines were using the lake as a dumping place for their mine tailings. Because of this move happened, Balmertown was the only town that was laid out by a city planner.
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.
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Life on McKenzie Island
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Growing up in Madsen
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Growing up in Red Lake
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Growing up in Cochenour
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Growing up in Balmertown