Kirkland Lake is a small town, with 8,000 residents, that is located in Northern Ontario, just east of the Trans-Canada Northern Route Highway #11. Kirkland Lake is about 240 kilometres N of North Bay, and about 250 km east of Kapuskasing. Kirkland Lake also lies on the Ontario Highway 66 which connects Quebec’s Northern Route Highway 117, to Ontario’s Highway 11. Kirkland Lake is about 85 km W of Rouyn-Noranda, and 190 km E of Val d’Or
Kirkland Lake remains an important center for mining, forestry, and education and has several notable landmarks and attractions, including the Museum of Northern History, Hockey Heritage North, and the Toburn Mine. The town attracts visitors from around the world with its unique charm and the area’s natural beauty and outstanding recreation.
Kirkland Lake History
In 1906, the discovery of gold in the area by a prospector named Harry Oakes sparked a gold rush that led to the development of the town.
The town was originally named “Kinross” after a mining company that operated in the area, but it was later renamed Kirkland Lake in honor of a wealthy financier for the mining industry. During the early 1900s, Kirkland Lake experienced rapid growth and was home to numerous gold mines. The town became known as the “Mile of Gold” due to the high concentration of gold deposits,
Kirkland Lake also became a center for area forestry and agriculture during this time, with its railway connection to the rest of Ontario. This facilitated the transportation of goods and resources. Over the 1900s the mining industry went through several boom & bust business cycles. Kirkland Lake also thrived as a center of industry, education, and culture.