North Bay Memories ...
Share a story with us. Do you have an old memory of a person, place or event in North Bay?
Can you make other visitors say... " oh ya, I remember that too ! "
It doesn't have to be exciting. Sometimes our fondest memories are of the simple little things.
E-Mail your story or requests to the webmaster for posting on this page. Photo's welcome!
( please type " North Bay Memories " as the title or in the Subject line of your email,
and don't forget to include your name and where your from. )
Freddie Pitz
June 4, 2007
June 4, 2007Hello there. I came across 2 names in the "guest book" that stirred the old memory machine!! One name, Butch Frederick and the other name , Leo Rouselle.. I grew up in Fossmill, during the late 1940's and mid 50's and I remember having Stan Frederick and his family as next door neighbors ... and I remember Mr. Rouselle was our mailman, way back then. If you care to, you can contact me at ferdieboy2002@yahoo.ca ...Hope to hear from you ... F.P.
From:Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Ottawa, Ontario, CanadaArnold ParleeDecember 28, 2006
December 28, 2006I consider North Bay my home town although we only lived there for about 9 years. Any "old" friends can reach me at parleea@gmail.com This is a terrific site.
From:Victoria, BCORVILLE LYTTLEJune 13, 2005
June 13, 2005CFCH. I worked @ CFCH 1950-1952. The old 100 watt transmitter was kept on site for use if West Ferris had power outage. It provided city coverage only and had a small roof-top aerial. CFCH-FM was a new repeater of AM programming. It also was low in power and had a small rooftop aerial. The license was to deter FM competition.I think there was only one FM radio in the city. A resident bought one in Toronto and brought it north. Reg McAusland started his radio career at CFCH. He was inducted into the Broadcaster Hall of Fame. He died in Newfoundland heading a church radio broadcaster founded in 1929. When we signed CFCH off the air after midnight news, we played 'God Save the King' and 'O Canada' and pulled the switch. Once a fellow worker played a rooster crowing rt after the anthems. A listener in Ohio heard and wrote a letter to the manager saying that the rooster crowing must be unique to CFCH. The entire staff was marched into the manager's office. The mgr stood and shouted: "what's this about the rooster ?" Everyone knew and laughed hard. Not the manager. He was angry. Cest la vie.From:BURNABY, BCButch FREDERICKDecember 27, 2006
December 27, 2006I've been away from North Bay since the mid 50's but like anyone who has ever lived there........you just never forget it, and I will ALWAYS be proud to refer to North Bay as "my hometown"!!! PS I was born in an upstairs room, in a big house on Regina Street..........directly across from the City Laundry. At the time, our family was living in Fossmill and my Mother came into North Bay, rented that little room from a family by the name of "Thompson", so that she could be a little closer to Medical Help, when my arrival time came. It all came together on October 29th, 1938.From:Kilmartin.........right hard by yer Button Woood...!!!
Paul ElzingaMay 26, 2007
May 26, 2007Some of my best memories as a kid are of eating at Ted's snack bar ( fries in a cone and a Pronto Pup ) and swimming at Government Dock ( come home smelling like creosote ).From:North BayBarry VanWart June 1, 2007
On this day in 1969 it was highly likely that i was spending my milk money for Sunset Park Public School over at Bouchers Confectionary. Spinning on a bar stool, the big decision was "do i spend the 20 cents on one chocolate bar or buy 40 two-for-a-penny candies?" Of course Vic or Gloria were hoping you would go for the chocolate. The patience of these folks was incredible ... ok 2 spearment leafs and ummm 3 MoJo's and ummm 2 black cats and ummm oh no wait a minute! just 1 black cat and 1 bazooka and ummmmmm.........
From: North Bay
Mike Oldfield February 6, 2008
I could send you pages and pages of memories...but here are just a few. My parents and I arrived in North Bay at 6 a.m. on October 23, 1947 after a lengthy Grey Coach bus ride from Toronto. We had recently emigrated from England. We had our breakfast in the Chicago Restaurant and then took the bus out to West Ferris to find lodgings in Kirkland Cabins (later named Ted's Auto Court) near Sunset Park. Our weekend entertainment usually meant a trip into North Bay to do shopping on Main Street and then a movie at the Capitol, Melrose (later renamed the Odeon) or the old Royal Theatre near the St. Regis Hotel. I can remember coming out of the Royal one summer's evening and finding the air around us filled with shad flies. We had to get a broom to sweep them off the car so that my Dad could see through the windshield. The bus service provided by John Palangio's Deluxe Bus Lines was very
reliable in those days. One of our favourite drivers was Frank DiGiacommo who drove the Callander bus which we rode out to West Ferris. Frank was a funny guy who loved to talk but would tolerate no nonsense or bad behaviour on his bus as many a drunk found out as he was quickly ejected from the bus. One of the sights which never failed to amaze me was the vast array of neon signs which came on at night. All along Main Street's three blocks there were dancing lights, twirling, swirling circles and jumping arrows above almost every store. I remember that part of the sidewalk on the north side of Main Street West in front of Cochrane-Dunlop Hardware was actually a wooden boardwalk in those days. One other great little memory....There used to be a vendor with a small cart on wheels from which he dispensed dixie cups filled with hot french fries for a dime. He did very well with the late-night crowd until the restaurant owners complained to City Hall and the poor guy lost his business license!
Freddie Pitz April 16, 2008
How many of you out there remember The Top Hat Pavilion, which was on Lakeshore Drive. I cannot recall just where on Lakeshore it was, but it was a very popular place and had some great shows back then.
Another place I recall was The Mackey House in downtown North Bay..Great memories of a bygone era.
From:Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Anne Campbell November 19, 2008
Was delighted to see the mention of Top Hat Pavillion by Freddie Pitz. That was one of the most wonderful places for young folk in particular, to go dancing on a Saturday evening. One of my haunts along with a lot of other local yokels. For Fred's sake, The Top Hat Pavillion was located on the very same spot as The Golden Dragon Restaurant on Lakeshore Drive. Owned and operated by Jack Shaw, the Kennedy's and Mr. Sing or Young,(I am not sure of the latter!) Many name bands used to travel to North Bay to play for everyone and one in particular that I remember well was Mart Kenny. Also the well known pianist Oscar Peterson. I believe Oscar was only 13 years of age the first time he performed. Among others were the Happy Gang And Charlie Spivack and quite a few musicians from Toronto.
Too bad there is no place as such for the young folks to-day. Those were the days when we all had good clean fun and didn't have to spend our time on the streets looking for something to do.
From: North Bay
Joff Barlow November 30, 2008
During the late 40's & early 50's I spent my summers in the Bay, we would hang around the murphy's corner store at the corner of Castle St & King St eating buttertarts & drinking pepsi.They would give me a free icecream bar just about everyday. Just down the St. from the Murphy's was the blacksmith shop where I spent a lot of time cleaning up while the blacksmith would shoe the horses from the Silverwoods dairy. When the ice truck came around we would all run out grab a piece of ice and think we got away with something.
I have a lot of great memories of the Bay.
From: Medicine Hat AB
Anne Campbell December 3, 2008
I am sure some will remember Lorne Greene the actor and lead in the Ponderosa show from Hollywood. The same fellow just happened to start out his career right here in North Bay and with one of the radio stations. He was mainly involved in forwarding the latest news on the second world war happenings. He later went on to Toronto to start up the radio college of Ontario and then, Montreal, Quebec . My cousins, Dorothy and Frank Heron of CBM in Montreal at the time, used to write and produce many shows for Lorne. Lorne ended up at Radio city in New York where he later was introduced to a famous actress (Catherine Cornell) who in turn recommended him for the Ponderosa. Later, my cousins moved to Hollywood as well, to write for Jonathan Winters and were entertained by Lorne Green and his wife at there, then, home, an exact replica of the Ponderosa on the show. Lorne and Frank and Dorothy used to sneak into town to visit with us unannounced and while here, always marveled at the great acoustics of the Capitol Theatre and how it should one day be turned into an Arts centre. Guess they got their wishes granted Huh! I could go on for hours, but I had better save some goodies for next time. See you. I think. Anne Campbell, again.
From: North Bay
Sandy May December 10, 2008
I lived in North Bay the biggest part of my life. As a young child I would go grocery shopping with my parents to
Ben's Supermarket - owner Ben Herman, on the Main St. - ( where " TNG grocery & deli " is today, across the street from "the Moose" restaurant. )
He was a kind man with always a warm smile and hello for everyone. He would always give us kids a free chocolate bar when we went in to shop.
The first shopping we went for at his store after we moved back to North Bay was great. Every isle we went down Mr. Herman chase after me and hand me a chocolate bar saying I had dropped it and gave it to me. I remember leaving the store with a handful of full size chocolate bars.
Also one time he got one of his workers - Edgar, to take down a planters peanut man he had as display hanging from the celing and gave it to me.
Years later his son Herbie Herman took over, I continued shopping there with my own family and not breaking his fathers tradition Herbie gave my son a chocolate bar.
From: North Bay
Glenda Metivier February 17, 2009
Hi Everyone :)
I went to NBCIVS in the early 50's, lived in an apartment up over Hoffman's Ladies Wear.
I have been so excited seeing all those old photo's of Main St. I met my husband at the Arcadian Grill & we have been married for 53yrs..how time flies.
I remember dancing at the K of C hall upstairs over one of the business' on Main St. with the Veltri Bros. Band, I don't remember what they called it. Irwin Prescott was great singer as well.
Also danced upstairs over or near the A & P store.
Does anyone remember the name of the Laundromat that was near Ben Herman's market or the Bay Theatre in 1952/53 ?? on Main St. East.
I would love to know what it was called if anyone knows, it was owned by a Mr. Jessup and my brother worked for him, he also worked for Carload Grocery, Walker Stores, LaFrance Furs.
What about Bucsemie's (sp) Bakery ( Main/Algonquin) St.
best bread in the city.
Zeller's. Sally Shop, Himmels Ladies Wear, Atlin's Ladies Wear, Deegan's Shoe Store and Agnes Surpass, Railton Studio. I remember Main St.well.
From: Bobcaygeon, Ont.
Freddie Pitz March 21, 2009
This anecdote took place in North Bay (I cannot recall the exact year) but it was the late 60's,probably 1966.I was working part time, for a local t.v.. service facility.. A friend ,co-worker of mine (who shall remain nameless),asked me to come and set up a color t.v. for him.He had just bought it at a ridiculously low price,and at that time,the manufacturer had a program whereby,the initial set up was free.
In the interim, however, we had a service vehicle,which had a new color t.v. in the back, stolen....and.....yes...that particular t.v. was the one that my friend purchased, not aware it was stolen..
After setting up the t.v. and returning to the shop ,with the particulars of the t.v.,which included the serial number,my boss recognized the serial number ,promptly called the police and my friend lost his new prized possession.,just as he settled down with some refreshments ,to watch The Stanley Cup Playoffs!!
This item made the North Bay Nugget, morning smile column.
From: Ottawa
Cal Smith April 11, 2009
There was a policman in North Bay in the 30s named Green. I was only nine, but he appeared to be very tall and slim. My first encounter with him was when my brother Clyde and I robbed a neighbor's garden ( a few carrots, I think) and he investigated. I thought he was very nice.
I believe it was the next year, 1940, that a neighbor boy name Ernie Warrie (sp) got a new bike "from his uncle" and thought he'd try to sell it to one of the many second-hand stores on Oak street and asked me to go with him. The owner of the first store we went to told Ernie he would have to get a 'sales permit' from the police department before he could buy the bike and said it wasn't a big deal, 'just a formality'. We went up to the Police Station a couple of blocks away, but Ernie lost his nerve and asked me to go in and get it. Mr. Green(e) asked me where I got the bike, but I couldn't think of a story, so he knew right away (although I still didn't) that the bike was stolen. Finally I admitted it wasn't mine, but belonged to my friend who was waiting on the street outside. He went out and brought Ernie in. I wish I could remember what happened exactly, but I don't. I just went home alone and life
continued normally. Ernie didn't suffer much, I don't think. Nothing changed with him that I was aware of.
I wonder what became of Officer Green. I always thought he was great.
North Bay from 1931 - 1951 when I joined the RCAF.
Steve Worboys April 30, 2009
I read these stories with fond memories as I feel North Bay is my Home Town. We lived there for only 10 years but that is where I grew up.
We moved to North Bay from Virginia Town in 1956. Immigrated to that area from England in 1955. We lived on Douglas St. where our old house still stands but now is a lot smaller than I remember. The rocks that were across the street (Douglas and Cedar Sts.) are now gone and houses are built up. We spent a lot of time sledding there in the winter and playing in the summer. Even the rocks between Morin and McLeod are gone, and the one on Cassel St. (where there was a small cave) is now built up.
I went through Public School at Dr. Caruthers- Kindergarten to Grade 8 (got the strap a few times), and High School at Algonquin (Go Trojans). At 10 yrs. of age, my brother and I walked Chippewa Creek from the Airport Hill to Ferris, jumped the twin bike hills at Devil's Glen off High Street at Princess. On Saturdays we would either bike to Minimishi Road off Hwy. 17 to visit friends in the summer, and watch the car races on the way back to the Bay on 17 Hwy., or walk the C.N. tracks from Cedar Street to Duchesnay Falls. We would build forts in the bush at the top of the falls but next weekend - we could never find the one we built last. We would pack a lunch and hike up the hills from the end of OBrien Street looking for an old Ghost town near the place where the missiles were hidden. (Never found it), and we never got lost. We would tease the bums that spent the nights in the coal sheds off Oak St. and run like crazy. We swam at the Dock in "the U" at the end, and could find the old boiler that was under the water in the beach to the North of the dock, or went to the Kinsmen Beach off Henry St.
We had a bomb shelter in our basement in the 60's. that was stocked with food and in Public School, were taught how to lay down at a curb if we were outside and the Russians nuked us. We canoed from Trout Lake to Mattawa in 2 days with my Dad and his friend. When in High School, we moved to Ferris at the end of Premier Road. I bought a new Sports Pal canoe (with help from Dad) and fished every day in the summer for Pickerel. We had our special spot near a Channel marker at Champlain Park and caught our limit of 6 fish in less than an 1/2 hour. There were 2 diving boards at the Lavase river one 5 ft. and the other- a lot higher. There were boats tied up at several Docks in the park and the swimmers had to watch for boats coming and going all the time. There were 2 or 3 Marinas further up the river. I remember the fuel depot blowing up on Gormanville Road in the 60's, and the Airport Hill exploding one night. Watched the old odd shaped record building down town Algonquin and Main St burn.
We used to have a coke floats at Domarcos. Pronto Pops at a take out stand at the top of Algonquin Av., eat 10 cent hot dogs at the restaurant near the Odeon. We played on the trampolines on Lakeshore drive in Ferris. Birthday meals at the Empire Hotel. We would play in the elevator at the Post Office or one less used at the Seniors place on Olive Street.
Now we go back to the Bay, the CN train station at the top of Fraser Street is gone., the old trestle on Front street where we used to swim during heavy rain storms, (Mom and dad never knew) and cars that tried to get through would get stuck in the water, is gone, Dr. Caruthers is gone, Silverwoods dairy - gone. Edgar Ott - our milkman and his horse Jim - long gone. Zimbalaties store and Italian cheese shop on Front St. - gone. Delux (Smith) Transport on Second Av. is gone. Algonquin High is still there but Catholic now. Most of the tracks are gone except a few at the west end of Fraser. The old Fraser Hotel is still there and I have finally been in for a beer (last year). I really miss the train horns and the sound of Voodoos flying over. The old train from the Ferris park is now hidden behind a street off Oak Street and looks unattended and tattered. The Lake front and downtown area has really Improved. Now I'm retired, I will be coming home for a visit every summer.
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Pauline Schell July 12, 2009
Hi ! My name used to be Pauline Bertrand, i was 15 yrs. old and got a job at Fongs Restaurant in North Bay, Ont.,
in 1963. I went out with a guy named Fred Seguin, i was head over heals, then had to return to my home town to finish my education, and i never saw him again. I also often wonder about old friends i made while there, like the Tucottes, and my aunts and cousins. If anybody has any memory of a short waitress called Pauline, please send me an e-mail asap.
I now reside in Sault Ste. Marie Ont. Thank you !!!
From: Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
Claudia (Gray) Aaron-Sneed July 15, 2009
What a pleasant surprise to find this web site. What memories it brings back!
Our family moved to North Bay in 1957 - back to Canada from an air force base in Germany. My Dad was then assigned to the air base in North Bay- I think it's the North Bay Airport now.
My first year at North Bay I was in Miss Gardner's from North Bay Collegiate and Vocational School. My last 2 years were spent at Chippewa Secondary School.
I ended up marrying a fellow from Virgina, and have two grown children I live now in on the coast at Wilmington North Carolina - close enough to hear the ocean . I miss the autumn though - but not the snow.
I would love to hear from any one that might remember me.
From: Wilmington North Carolina
Lucille (Larochelle) Boucher August 16, 2009
I was born in 1956 in the beautiful town of North Bay. As a little girl, one of my fondest memories was the older man who rode his two wheel bike all over North Bay wearing a long army coat that was covered with badges. He never said a word but there was always a smile as he went by. I wanted to ask him if I could look at those badges and where they came from, but I was too shy. He wore that coat everywhere despite the heat or the cold. I knew he was proud to show everyone that he had so many badges and there wasn't one space on that coat that was uncovered. I had believed he had the badges because he was a war hero. Then one day, he was gone. I missed seeing his colorful coat and his kind smile. I never did know his name and I have often wished I that I would have spoken with him.
I know there are those who have lived in North Bay for many years who know the man I am talking about. Please share your memories of him and hopefully someone remembers his name. I believe this memory deserves to live on in the hearts of everyone who remember that amazing coat and the man who wore it. That image will stay etched in my mind forever. He is truly an important part of this city's heritage.
Thank you
UPDATE to the above submission : August 24, 2009
The following link to another local website posts a photo and some insight on the gentleman mentioned above.
Thank you for the update Sandy !
