The story of Northern Ontario’s people has changed since the early days of the railway. At the turn of the last century, workers from many countries joined their friends when they learned of employment building the rails north – particularly from North Bay, the terminus for the Temiskaming & Northern Ontario Railway.
As the work reached Cobalt, many men decided to settle there, bring their families and work in the newly-discovered silver mines or to open businesses. Others ventured further north to Kirkland Lake and the Porcupine when gold was discovered further north. Soon clubs were established to serve the cultural needs of their people. With the culture, came the foods that reminded them of home.