Flin Flon Welcome Arch

FLIN FLON & WELCOME ARCH

The story of how Flin Flon got its name combines fact and fiction. It can be traced back to the year 1914 when prospector Tom Creighton and his escort, local trapper David Collins, were exploring the northern frontiers of Manitoba in search of ore. Creighton and his associates Dan & Jack Mosher, Isadore and Leon Dion and Dan Milligan were exploring in the vicinity of Amisk (Beaver) Lake, Saskatchewan when they were shown mineral-rich hunting territory surrounding the north arm of Athapapuskow Lake.

Immediately recognizing the potential value of the resource, the prospectors asked Collins to show them the area where he had found the strange looking rocks. Upon being led to the small lake where Collins found the prospectors, undertook further exploration work and staked a claim to the property which was later known as Flin Flon Lake.

Flin Flon was developed in 1927 by Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting (HBM&S) to exploit the large copper and zinc ore resources in the region. In the 1920's, HBM&S invested in a railway, mine, smelter, and a hydroelectric power plant at Island Falls, Saskatchewan. By 1928 the rail line reached the mine.

The town grew considerably during the 1930's, as farmers who were impoverished by the Great Depression, abandoned their farms and came to work at the mines. A large number of people immigrated from Europe and the Scandinavian countries, who were in search of a job as well, and came here which helped build the community that we know as Flin Flon today. The municipality was incorporated on January 1, 1933, and in 1970, the community reached city status. Over the past 85 years HBM&S known as Hudbay today has developed over 30 properties that they have mined and operated. Their contribution to Manitoba's mining community is one that has provided a great number of employees with a good lifestyle for themselves and their families. Many a student through summer employment ended up graduating university almost debt free due to the summer jobs provided for their eduction. The city has continued to be a mining centre with the development of several mines adding to its industrial base, and although its population has been in decline, a new mining training centre has been built in Flin Flon which is an asset to northern Manitoba. With a scenic setting and a number of nearby lakes, Flin Flon has also become a moderately popular tourist destination.

Flin Flon, Manitoba is located 780 kilometres north of Winnipeg, MB. The City of Flin Flon, MB borders the Town of Creighton, SK and is one of the few border towns in Canada.

The name Flin Flon has always brought about discussion of where and how this small city nestled in northern Manitoba between Manitoba and Saskatchewan, got its name. Flin Flon is proud of being the only city in the world named for a science-fiction character named Josiah Flintabbatey Flonatin. In 1915, a group of prospectors who were portaging near the Churchill River in Northern Canada found a tattered copy of “The Sunless City.” During the long evenings they read the novel. However, they never found out what became of Josiah Flintabbatey Flonatin as the last pages were missing. Later, on the shores of a lake which reminded them of Flintabbatey Flonatin in the novel, they staked a claim and decided to name it after the character in the novel and called it the Flin Flon claim. The claim led to a mining venture and the City of Flin Flon was born. Over the 85 years, there has been a large number of people who have lived and worked in this community and probably one of Flin Flon's first claims to fame was its hockey team. When I came to Flin Flon in 1957, the Flin Flon Bombers had just won the Memorial Cup in the 1956-57 season. In these years it began to gain popularity as one of Canada's communities that had hockey programs for all ages and also some very successful recreational groups.

When looking back at our community, I look at things that helped bring recognition to the city and its people. Looking back at history books in the early days, it was a thriving community, and when they chose to host an event or a celebration, it was supported by all. One item that I look at, is what we refer to today, as the Welcome Arch at our local museum. This Arch has been very much a part of Flin Flon's activities and history. The first photo shown below dates back to an Elks convention in July 1937. I have been told that the Elks Lodge in those days was one of the biggest in Manitoba and if not, Canada.

Looking back at Flin Flon and hearing people talk about multiculturalism, I honestly feel this community in the beginning was probably one of the greatest collections of all nationalities from many countries in the world, who came here in search of work which they were able to obtain and by working and playing together, the end result was a community that thrived, grew and provided each and every one of us with a very good lifestyle.

Grand Lodge Convention – July 1937 – Silver Jubilee (photo FFHS). This is one of the first references that I have been able to find of todays Welcome Arch being used for one of Flin Flon's major events in 1937.

The steel arch at the intersection of Main Street and First Avenue was decorated with evergreens, streamers and flags in honour of the Coronation of King George VI on May 12, 1937. (photo FFHS).

This photo shows the Arch placed north of the CN rail tracks and west of Western Grocers which might be approximately 1939-40.

The Archway is being reassembled by John Highmoor in 1955 over the new approach to the City of Flin Flon of No. 10 Highway as the old No. 10 passed through Channing. John Highmoor was the founder and owner of Highmoor Trucking which today is owned and operated by his sons. John made many winter freight hauls into remote communities in northern Manitoba. The message on the Arch was changed prior to reassembling it over the new No. 10 Highway to read Welcome on the east side and Call Again on the west side.

The above photo was taken sometime after 1955 shows a checker board pattern on the water tower in the distance and the old stacks for the Zinc Plant and Smelter. The photo below now shows the new stack in operation in 1974 and just one of the old remaining stacks which now has also been removed. With the removal of South Main Shaft and North Main Shaft and the two old stacks, the Flin Flon skyline has changed.

This photo shows the Welcome Arch before it was removed, as well as the surrounding rock for the construction of the new entrance of No. 10 Highway to the City of Flin Flon. This Arch was torn down, moved to the City yards and stored until it was reassembled at the Flin Flon Station Museum in 2000.

This shows the Welcome Arch sitting upon the 4th location of its life in Flin Flon, today with it being placed at the entrance to the home of the Flin Flon Station Museum, which is quite fitting. When you think of all the people who have passed through this Arch when it spanned the highway and all the individuals who have gone through the doors of the Flin Flon Station Museum, I am sure it would be in the thousands. During my discussions with Ron Dodds, who over the years contributed a good many hours to this project, Ron went on to tell me that all the lettering on this sign had been taken down, refurbished and replaced on the Arch by Wally Lylyk of Beech Electric at no cost to our community. I think this was a great contribution to a very worthwhile project and our thanks goes to you Wally.

Each and every August an event is held at the Flin Flon Museum where the local Rotary Club provide free beef on a bun, fries and hot dogs. This event is designed to celebrate Josiah Flintabbatey Flonatin's birthday party so at the conclusion of your lunch you are provided with a piece of birthday cake. This is a yearly event that many seniors and kids look forward to.

This photo shows the gathering on site of the Archway and Station Museum, R.C.M.P. demonstrating latest technology, also a First Nation Teepee.

This photo shows one of our local musicians Mark Kolt playing the keyboard and providing entertainment and music for everyone to enjoy.

Another photo of Mark Kolt and his band doing what they do best which is providing good music.

This photo shows the Welcome Arch being a centre piece of our annual Xmas Light display at the Flin Flon Museum, which is nice to see something which has been around since 1937, still playing a role in our community.

Another photo showing the Archway during the Xmas Season, something which is enjoyed by all.