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Settlement Creates a Village2
A map of free land grants1 January 1880
Rainy River District
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The Free Grants and Homestead Act of 1876 opened up the area for settlement. Twenty townships were established.4
The Dawson trail from Lake Superior to Rainy Lake.1 January 1880
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The Dawson Trail opened up in 1857 to facilitate the movement of settlers over the old Voyageur route. A combination of wagon and steamboats took travelers west.6
'After 100 years, there's still hope for the canal'1975
Fort Frances
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A canal at Fort Fances was begun in 1875, to ease the travel of steamboats. It was never completed.8
Itaska and Agwinde, two of the steamers that operated on Rainy River and Lake of the Woods.1 January 1890
Rainy River
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When the railway arrived in Kenora, the settlement routes changed with large steamships bringing travelers across Lake of the Woods and up the Rainy River.10
Fort Frances developed around the Falls.1 January 1890
Alberton Falls
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The Village of Fort Frances built up around the falls on the Rainy River.12
The Fort Frances wharf and growing business section.1 January 1890
Front Street, on the banks of Rainy River
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Stores on Front Street1 January 1890
Front Street, on the banks of Rainy River
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Along the lower river, large hotels and businesses were established to serve the settlers. |
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