20199594 (2)HDR Silver Islet - Sibley Peninsula
The Tea Room
Silver Islet refers to both a small rocky island and a small community located at the tip of the Sibley Peninsula in northwestern Ontario, Canada.
A rich vein of pure silver was discovered on this small island in 1868 by the Montreal Mining Company. At that time, the island was approximately [50 m²] in size and only 2.5 metres above the waters of Lake Superior. In 1870, the site was developed by Alexander H. Sibley's Silver Islet Mining Company which built wooden breakwaters around the island to hold back the lake's waves and increased the island's area substantially with crushed rock. The islet was expanded to over 10 times its original size and a small mining town was built up on the shore nearby.
After most of the purest ore from the original site had been removed, a second vein was discovered in 1878. By 1883, most of the highest quality silver had been extracted and the price of silver had declined. The final straw came when a shipment of coal did not arrive before the end of the shipping season. The pumps holding back the waters of the lake stopped and in early 1884 the islet's mine shafts, which had reached a depth of 384 metres, were flooded. They would never be de-watered, and the mine's underground operations would never be reopened.
Over the 16 years that the mine was in operation, $3.25 million worth of silver was extracted.
The houses originally built to house miners are now used as private summer cottages. The general store has been restored, and serves light meals in its tea-room, in addition to selling a variety of knicknacks and basic foodstuffs.
This is an article written by Syd Hancock, January 21, 1972 on the occasion of Julian Cross's death.
As recounted by Syd Hancock, Silver Islet is the home of Julian (Jules) Cross, founder of Steep Rock Iron Mine in Atikokan, Ontario. Outside the Atikokan Library & museum is a bronze plaque erected by the Ontario Department of Public Records and Archives to mark the historical significance of the Steep Rock Iron Range. On December 29, 1971, the man who unveiled this plaque, and made possible the Steep Rock story, Julian Gifford Cross, died at the age of 83. Born at Silver Islet on July 25, 1888, only four years after the closing of that historic silver mine, his destiny and the future of many others was inevitably associated with mining.
Silver Islet General Store
12h
·
Kiss my A** !!!
- The story behind KMA Blue ...
The Silver Islet Store was built in 1871 by the skilled workers of the Silver Islet Mining Company with timber harvested from virgin white pine stands of nearby Sawyers Bay.
When construction was complete, like many of the company buildings, the Store was finished with a coat of brown fire retardant barium infused paint.
It remained brown for well over 100 years.
In or around 1992, the Saxberg family hired Sorensen Carpentry of the neighbouring town of Pass Lake, to re-side the building with 7” cedar slat siding purchased from Wanson Lumber in Thunder Bay. It was an exciting time for the much loved General Store and for the summer residents of the Islet as they watched Eric and his young son Dennis Sorensen reface the exterior of this community cornerstone.
Like any small town, when there is a new project underway the locals are close by to lend a hand, monitor progress and sometimes to offer suggestions on “...how they would do it”.
Once the siding was complete, the wood needed to be sealed. Questions began as residents were curious what colour the store would and in some instances, "should" be painted. Lorne Saxberg Jr had his mind set on “heritage blue” - a lively blue echoing the awesome hues of Superior. The vibrant, Newfoundland-esq colour also stood as a tribute to his mother, Joan Saxberg’s maritime roots.
With long ladders, family and volunteers in place, so began the daunting task of painting the massive timber frame Silver Islet General Store. Brother Bob Saxberg was the only one brave enough to scale the tallest of ladders and paint the top of the building, while Lorne Jr and others worked the lower levels and chatted with passerbys. The activity naturally captured the attention of visitors and locals alike.
From 10 feet up, Lorne Jr popped and stirred the first can of stain as family friend and long time Silver Islet local Jim Coslett called from below, “what colour have you got there?” ...to which Lorne leaned over, lowering the can for Jim to see inside and replied, “it's called KMA Blue! You're going to love it” which based on Jim's reaction, couldn't be further from the truth LOL. Overtime, the change was embraced by most, and those that were unsure seem to have now warmed up to KMA blue.
Over the years, Lorne and Jim's conversation has turned into a frequently heard joke around Silver Islet. If you're an Isleter, you know the meaning of KMA. To this day, the official Silver Islet Store “KMA blue” acrylic stain is available at Dulux Paints on Memorial Avenue in Thunder Bay. Now that you know...be sure to ask for it by name!
———
Fast forward 30 years and the extreme conditions of the Sibley Penninsula dictate
the building is in need of a fresh sealing. Thunder Bay paint gurus, Top Rung Painting, (TRP) was hired to complete the work and in mid October, the day after the store closed for the season, David and the good folks from TRP arrived at the islet and secured the location, armed with spray washers, compressors, sanders, rollers, brushes, ladders, 60’ lifts and a boat load of KMA Blue.
Fortunately, weather cooperated and the crew was able to complete the job on time and on budget. The next time you drive the penninsula and come over the last hill at the end of the road, you’ll see the store proudly sporting a fresh coat of KMA Blue as it once again rests, and patiently awaits the busy summer season ahead.
...
Thank you to Dave and boys from Top Rung Painting for a job well done and to Lyle Knudsen and his crew at Equipment World for their assistance with the lifts. Also thank you to Wally Peterson and co, of Thunder Country Diving and The Lakehead Transportation Museum Society for their continued enthusiasm and support of the historic Silver Islet General Store.
20199594 (2)HDR Silver Islet - Sibley Peninsula
The Tea Room
Silver Islet refers to both a small rocky island and a small community located at the tip of the Sibley Peninsula in northwestern Ontario, Canada.
A rich vein of pure silver was discovered on this small island in 1868 by the Montreal Mining Company. At that time, the island was approximately [50 m²] in size and only 2.5 metres above the waters of Lake Superior. In 1870, the site was developed by Alexander H. Sibley's Silver Islet Mining Company which built wooden breakwaters around the island to hold back the lake's waves and increased the island's area substantially with crushed rock. The islet was expanded to over 10 times its original size and a small mining town was built up on the shore nearby.
After most of the purest ore from the original site had been removed, a second vein was discovered in 1878. By 1883, most of the highest quality silver had been extracted and the price of silver had declined. The final straw came when a shipment of coal did not arrive before the end of the shipping season. The pumps holding back the waters of the lake stopped and in early 1884 the islet's mine shafts, which had reached a depth of 384 metres, were flooded. They would never be de-watered, and the mine's underground operations would never be reopened.
Over the 16 years that the mine was in operation, $3.25 million worth of silver was extracted.
The houses originally built to house miners are now used as private summer cottages. The general store has been restored, and serves light meals in its tea-room, in addition to selling a variety of knicknacks and basic foodstuffs.
This is an article written by Syd Hancock, January 21, 1972 on the occasion of Julian Cross's death.
As recounted by Syd Hancock, Silver Islet is the home of Julian (Jules) Cross, founder of Steep Rock Iron Mine in Atikokan, Ontario. Outside the Atikokan Library & museum is a bronze plaque erected by the Ontario Department of Public Records and Archives to mark the historical significance of the Steep Rock Iron Range. On December 29, 1971, the man who unveiled this plaque, and made possible the Steep Rock story, Julian Gifford Cross, died at the age of 83. Born at Silver Islet on July 25, 1888, only four years after the closing of that historic silver mine, his destiny and the future of many others was inevitably associated with mining.
Silver Islet General Store
12h
·
Kiss my A** !!!
- The story behind KMA Blue ...
The Silver Islet Store was built in 1871 by the skilled workers of the Silver Islet Mining Company with timber harvested from virgin white pine stands of nearby Sawyers Bay.
When construction was complete, like many of the company buildings, the Store was finished with a coat of brown fire retardant barium infused paint.
It remained brown for well over 100 years.
In or around 1992, the Saxberg family hired Sorensen Carpentry of the neighbouring town of Pass Lake, to re-side the building with 7” cedar slat siding purchased from Wanson Lumber in Thunder Bay. It was an exciting time for the much loved General Store and for the summer residents of the Islet as they watched Eric and his young son Dennis Sorensen reface the exterior of this community cornerstone.
Like any small town, when there is a new project underway the locals are close by to lend a hand, monitor progress and sometimes to offer suggestions on “...how they would do it”.
Once the siding was complete, the wood needed to be sealed. Questions began as residents were curious what colour the store would and in some instances, "should" be painted. Lorne Saxberg Jr had his mind set on “heritage blue” - a lively blue echoing the awesome hues of Superior. The vibrant, Newfoundland-esq colour also stood as a tribute to his mother, Joan Saxberg’s maritime roots.
With long ladders, family and volunteers in place, so began the daunting task of painting the massive timber frame Silver Islet General Store. Brother Bob Saxberg was the only one brave enough to scale the tallest of ladders and paint the top of the building, while Lorne Jr and others worked the lower levels and chatted with passerbys. The activity naturally captured the attention of visitors and locals alike.
From 10 feet up, Lorne Jr popped and stirred the first can of stain as family friend and long time Silver Islet local Jim Coslett called from below, “what colour have you got there?” ...to which Lorne leaned over, lowering the can for Jim to see inside and replied, “it's called KMA Blue! You're going to love it” which based on Jim's reaction, couldn't be further from the truth LOL. Overtime, the change was embraced by most, and those that were unsure seem to have now warmed up to KMA blue.
Over the years, Lorne and Jim's conversation has turned into a frequently heard joke around Silver Islet. If you're an Isleter, you know the meaning of KMA. To this day, the official Silver Islet Store “KMA blue” acrylic stain is available at Dulux Paints on Memorial Avenue in Thunder Bay. Now that you know...be sure to ask for it by name!
———
Fast forward 30 years and the extreme conditions of the Sibley Penninsula dictate
the building is in need of a fresh sealing. Thunder Bay paint gurus, Top Rung Painting, (TRP) was hired to complete the work and in mid October, the day after the store closed for the season, David and the good folks from TRP arrived at the islet and secured the location, armed with spray washers, compressors, sanders, rollers, brushes, ladders, 60’ lifts and a boat load of KMA Blue.
Fortunately, weather cooperated and the crew was able to complete the job on time and on budget. The next time you drive the penninsula and come over the last hill at the end of the road, you’ll see the store proudly sporting a fresh coat of KMA Blue as it once again rests, and patiently awaits the busy summer season ahead.
...
Thank you to Dave and boys from Top Rung Painting for a job well done and to Lyle Knudsen and his crew at Equipment World for their assistance with the lifts. Also thank you to Wally Peterson and co, of Thunder Country Diving and The Lakehead Transportation Museum Society for their continued enthusiasm and support of the historic Silver Islet General Store.