Lynn Lake, Manitoba
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Lynn Lake is a small town in the northwest region of Manitoba, Canada, about 1,071.64 km from Winnipeg. The town was named after Lynn Smith, the Chief Engineer of a mining company called Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited.
Lynn Lake was founded in the year 1950, when a deposit of nickel was discovered. The nickel mine was developed, and soon after, gold was also discovered.
Most of Lynn Lake's first houses were moved from Sherridon, Manitoba, over lake ice and winter roads. The houses were moved by digging out the foundation, and moving them on a sled pulled by tractors and/or horses.
After a rich vein of copper ore had been nearly depleted in Sherridon, MB, the company sent out prospectors to find another strike. Around 1945, the expeditions were successful when one of the world's largest nickel strikes was found near the soon to be established Lynn Lake. Most of the people of Sherridon moved to Lynn Lake when housing was completed.
Gold mining was once the major industry of the town. The mine was shut down in the late 20th century, but if the price of gold and other metals rises enough, and operations costs are reduced, there is no reason why mining operations could not be resumed.
The 1996 Census recorded Lynn Lake's population at 1,038. By 2001, the population of Lynn Lake had dropped 32.7% to 699. As of this writing (December, 2004) the population of Lynn Lake has stabilized somewhat at an estimated 800 residents, 182 of which are students at West Lynn Heights School enrolled in the nursurey to Grade 12 program.
One of the most well known people born in Lynn Lake is Tom Cochrane, Canadian rock singer and songwriter.
Lynn Johnston, the creator of the comic strip For Better or For Worse, has also lived for a number of years in Lynn Lake where she began her career of writing comic strips.
Tourism
There are numerous outfitters in the Lynn Lake area. They offer services for most wilderness experiences, including sport fishing, bear, and moose hunting.
Reference
- Town of Lynn Lake web site (http://www.lynnlake.ca) Maintained by the Town of Lynn Lake
- King of Obsolete (http://www.kingofobsolete.ca) is a site created by one of the local residents, which also explains a great deal of the history of Lynn Lake, including numerous archival photos.
- Laurie River Lodge (http://www.laurieriverlodge.com)