HELEN MINE

NAME: Helen Mine COUNTY: Algoma District ROADS: 2WD GRID: 1 CLIMATE: Cold winters, warm summers BEST TIME TO VISIT: May-october

COMMENTS: Area fenced in for a few hundred meters. Site is still in exploration and is off limits. REMAINS: A big hole in a very large, rock.

It began with a gold rush around Wawa. What was thought to be invisible lode gold, turned out to be rich hematite ore. Francis Hector Cleargue purchased the claims and started a mine. From 1898-1918, stood a community conaining varied businesse, 5 large bunkhouses, numerous dwelings and a post office. As hematite ores depleted only siderite was left. It closed due to unprofitability. However, when a process was perfected in 30's the Helen mine roared back to life, and open pit was commenced in the mountain face. A smaller townsite of 23 homes was established farther below, since the open pit swalloed the original town site (it was razed by fire in 1922 anyway). The Helen mine has seen varied production since (with some shut downs, of course!) Submitted by: Yvan P.Charbonneau

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