Blind River

46.1847° N, 82.9540° W

The river here was called ‘Penewobecong’ which translates to ‘Smooth Rock or Sloping’ by the Anishnawbe. The voyageurs named this river the Blind River because the mouth was not visible as they followed the canoe route transporting furs. The name, ‘Blind River,’ was adopted by the settlement that grew at the mouth of the river.

Timber was the primary economic driver in the founding and success of Blind River. The first mill was built in the mid-1800s to supply timber framing for the copper mine in Bruce Mines. A new mill built in 1929 (what bad timing) produced 89 million board feet in its first year of operation. This mill continued to operate until 1969 when it finally closed leaving behind the wood burning tower still visible in the marina.

Note the log boons – probably not a good idea to try anchoring here as the bottom is likely covered with sunken logs and bark.

We spent nearly a week here. Can’t really recommend any place to eat or visit as everything was closed. However, there is a nice beach a short walk from the marina. We intended to stay for just a couple of days, rent a car to go back to Sault Ste. Marie to hopscotch the van forward. You can see story on the post Moving Forward and a few others to see what we were up to July 9-14^th.