Powassan is a town located in Northeastern Ontario, on Highway 11. Powassan is located 30km S of North Bay at the Highway 17 junction, about 16 km N of Bracebridge on Highway 11, and 250 km N of Barrie where Highway 11 and Highway 400 connect. This 1000 resident community was first settled in 1880 and is close to the southeast corner of Lake Nipissing. It takes its name from the Indian word for “the bend” in the South River. The area was settled in the 1870’s and business was attracted by the waterfalls in the South River, which provided waterpower for lumber processing and manufacturing.
The Powassan and Area Historical Society and the Powassan Museum work to preserve the town’s history through exhibits, artifacts, and community events.
The small mountain on Powassan’s southeast corner was re-forested in the 1930s, and now provides three 2 km walking trail for the locals. The top provides a view of the Rift Valley to the West with a panorama of the area between Powassan and beyond Lake Nipissing.
Explore hiking, cycling, and ATV trails in the surrounding natural areas, as well as opportunities for fishing, camping, and wildlife watching.
Annual events:
The annual Maple Syrup Festival and Dicken’s Week.
Powassan History
The region around Powassan was inhabited by the Algonquin and Nipissing First Nations, who lived off the land by hunting, fishing, and gathering.
The fur trade played a significant role in the early history of the region. French fur traders established trading posts along the waterways extending from the Mattawa River, to facilitate the exchange of furs with Indigenous peoples.
The abundance of timber in the surrounding forests also led to the rise of the logging and lumber industry. In those days (given that there were no roads, let alone logging trucks) logs were floated down area rivers to mills for processing. The town of Powassan was officially established around 1880 with the construction of a sawmill and a grist mill (for grinding wheat or other grains into flour).
Settlers also arrived to clear land for agriculture, to build roads, and to build a small community. The name “Powassan” is derived from an Ojibwe word meaning “bend in the river.” The arrival of the Northern and Pacific Junction Railway (later, part of the Canadian Pacific Railway) in 1885 further connected Powassan to other communities in Ontario.
In the early 1900s, industries such as sawmills, grist mills, and cheese factories were established to process the area’s resources, building the local economy.
Over the decades, Powassan’s population grew steadily, and established schools, churches, and other institutions.
The town’s tourism industry has grown, based on its rural charm, natural surroundings, and recreation.
Powassan Attractions
The Clark House
9 Fairview Ln, Powassan, ON P0H 1Z0
It is one of the oldest brick homes in the Powassan area, built in 1886, using bricks from the Clark ) family’s own brick works. Three churches, the school and the fair grounds are all on land that originally belonged to the Clarks. The house is now maintained by the Powassan and Area Historical Society, 12 noon to 5 pm (Closed on Mondays) until Labour Day.
Powassan Maple Syrup Festival
Various locations in Powassan
Powassan Maple Syrup Festival:
An annual festival held in late spring (late celebrating the local maple syrup harvest, featuring maple syrup products, entertainment, and family-friendly activities.
Hockey Heritage North
249 Whitewood Avenue West, North Bay, ON P1B 9T5
705-495-3730
Hockey Heritage North:
A museum celebrating the history of hockey in the region, showcasing artifacts, memorabilia, and interactive exhibits.
Powassan Farmers’ Market
250 Clark Street, Powassan, ON P0H 1Z0
705-724-2813
A seasonal market offering fresh local produce, handmade crafts, baked goods, and more