Report on the Geology of the Area along the T. & N.O. Railway

Exploring economic possibilities during the Porcupine Gold Rush.

The Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway was incorporated as an official Crown charter company in 1902 to connect Lake Nipissing to the Moose River, just south of James Bay. Construction began the following year, and it wasn’t long before deposits of precious metals were discovered near the route. The Cobalt Silver Rush began in earnest in 1903, followed by the Porcupine Gold Rush (1909) and Kirkland Lake Gold Rush (1912).

This detailed report explores a proposed T & N.O. Railway Branch connecting the railhead at Gowgonda to the mining town of Porcupine. Nearly a month was spent surveying several possible lines, with the results published here in 1912. Two dozen pages contain various observations, a geologic summary, several photos, and information on local minerals including gold, silver, iron, and asbestos. Also of note is the availability of lumber, though the text references the effects of a devastating recent fire.

A folding map in the back of the volume presents a detailed map of the trial line, noting geologic deposits with vibrant colors. The report was compiled by J.G. McMillan and published in Toronto in 1912 by L.K. Cameron. Printed by William Briggs.