The Towns and Cities
of Northern Ontario
New Liskeard - James Bay Frontier
Like its sister communities of
Haileybury and Cobalt, New Liskeard grew and prospered from the
silver mining boom. While Haileybury became the administrative
center of the Tri-town area and Cobalt became a mining town, New
Liskeard became the commercial and industrial center for the
agriculture region. The first settlers were attracted to “The Little
Claybelt” because of its rich deposits of clay and top soil and 110
years later, farming still sustains a major part of the community.
Besides the usual seasonal activities, New Liskeard boasts one of
the more popular agricultural fairs in the region. With
approximately 550 farms in the area, there is usually something for
everybody. This fair is usually preceded by a downtown parade and
involves the annual crowning of the Lioness Harvest Queen.
New Liskeard is home to the Tri-Club Monster Poker Run, an annual
snowmobile event that attracts participants from all over the
province.
In November, all the merchants outline their businesses with white
lights for the Christmas season and the huge trees in Cenotaph Park
are decorated to light up the town.
This year marks a special year for New Liskeard and its residents.
The town is celebrating its anniversary with a ten day event from
June 26’th through July 6, 2003. With an overall theme of “Return,
Remember, Relive” the town and the Temiskaming District Secondary
School are celebrating their 100’th birthday while the New Liskeard
Cubs celebrate their 50’th.
If you’re planning to take in the festivities this summer, be sure
to include a side trip to Pete’s Dam Park, a phased out hydro
project that still attracts many visitors due to its wonderful
scenery. Pete’s Dam Park can be found on Highway 65, just west of
New Liskeard. After your nature walk, head west again and look for
the signs advertising Thornloe Cheese Factory. Drop in and talk to
the very friendly people there and walk away with some superb
cheese. They have something for every cheese lover.
