40
The settler's isolation was a great concern and a push was made to have the railroad built north of North Bay on the Ontario side of Lake Temiskaming. New Liskeard's citizens had made appeals to the provincial government for several years before finally, in 1902, it was announced by the Commissioner of Public Works for the Ontario government, that a railway would be built linking Lake Temiskaming to North Bay. The Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway was the name given by the province and work on the railway line commenced in the spring of 1902 and by 1905, New Liskeard had rail service!41
Early Settlements1870-1900
North Eastern Ontario
Credits:Arrow North: The Story of Temiskaming
42
New Liskeard, at the turn of the century, was still a small community but growing steadily. The farmers who had homesteaded in the outlying townships found a ready market for their produce and those living in the town site were able to provide the commodities needed by the farmers such as tools, machinery, and farm equipment.43
A pioneer's log cabinCirca 1896
New Liskeard, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Temiskaming Shores Public Library Archives
44
In 1901, New Liskeard played host to another excursion. Thomas Southworth, the Director of Colonization and Forestry for the provincial government, co-ordinated a "Landseeker's Excursion" made up of about 160 farmers and tradesmen from southern Ontario. This excursion was a success in that some of the townships situated some distance from New Liskeard became settled. Due to the lack of good roads at that time, New Liskeard did not actually benefit from these settlers although, a positive effect was the growth of smaller villages throughout those townships, such as Tomstown, Milberta, and Hilliardton.Between 1903 when the town became incorporated, and 1915, New Liskeard became not only a busy commercial centre but a cultural centre as well.
45
Snowshoe partyCirca 1900
New Liskeard, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Temiskaming Shores Public Library Archives
46
As in most small communities at the turn of the century, everyone in town participated in any special event such as this snowshoe party.47
St. Andrews' Presbyterian Church1903
New Liskeard, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Temiskaming Shores Public Library Archives
48
Often, social activities centred around church, and in the early 1900's there were several churches operating in New Liskeard.49
The Methodist Church1900
New Liskeard, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Temiskaming Shores Public Library Archives
50
Mrs Marie Donoghue (Do you remember? Compiled by Z.A. Lefevre,) remembered " The Presbyterian and Methodist Churches used to hold their annual Sunday School picnics down the lake, travelling there by the Meteor. Everyone enjoyed these picnics, the Presbyterians going on May 24th and the Methodists on June 3rd. One May, they were afraid the ice would not be out of the lake in time, but it went out the night before, making everyone happy."51
A view of Murray Street1906
New Liskeard, Ontario, Canada
Credits:Temiskaming Shores Public Library Archives
52
New Liskeard, at the turn of the century had a post office, a school, and a general store. Within five years, it had a railway station, a thriving sawmill, several stores, a bank, several churches, and a hospital. Hotels were available as were livery stables and a number of essential services such as harness makers, and carpenters.53
Nipissing Central Trolley car1928
New Liskeard, Ontario, Canada
Credits:George Dukovac
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