Local History

The Elliot Lake area is part of the traditional territory of the Serpent River First Nation and part of Huron Robinson Treaty land.  As a result, First Nation history and culture is evident and Elliot Lake area has a rich and remarkable history and a fascinating tale to tell.

The City's modern story began in 1953 when the famous Backdoor Staking Bee that rivalled the Klondike Gold Rush put Elliot Lake on the worldwide map with the discovery of a massive, rich uranium ore body. Literally overnight, mining companies rapidly invested to build mines and create a community out of this vast wilderness. The majority of the world's uranium - used for Cold War nuclear arms and electricity production - originated in Elliot Lake. As a prosperous mining town with young workers and big paychecks, stories of early Elliot Lake hearken back to the Wild West Frontier, with a distinctively Northern Ontario flair.

By 1959, 9 mining companies were in operation and nearly 25,000 people resided in Elliot Lake. Later that same year, the United States declared that it would buy no more uranium from Canada after 1962. By 1966 Elliot Lake's population had dwindled to under 7,000 and by 1970 only Denison Mines and Rio Algom were in operation. During the 1970s, federal plans for CANDU Reactors and Ontario Hydro's interest in atomic energy led the town, anticipating a population of 30,000, to expand again. However, by the early 1990s, depleted reserves and low prices caused the last mines in the area to close and over 4,000 jobs were lost.

The announcement of mine closures had a devastating impact on community morale and the economy of Elliot Lake, but strong leadership combined with Elliot Lakers' instinct for survival allowed the community to move in new directions and seek out new opportunities. Vacated housing units were marketed to retirees and the Retirement Living program was born. The program is highly successful and world renown for saving and stabilizing the economy. Thousands of retirees have been attracted to the community for the unsurpassed quality of life, availability of varied services and affordable housing. Later, through an innovative and unprecedented project, cottage lots on undeveloped area lakes were established. 

Through boom, bust and renewal, Elliot Lake's contribution to mining has not eroded. The City has gone from the world's leading producer of uranium and a world leader in mining technology to an internationally prominent leader in mine decommissioning and environmental quality. City leaders have ensured that our mining roots are proudly remembered and displayed for past and future generations.

Elliot Lake Nuclear and Mining Museum

In February 2019, the roof of the Lester B. Pearson Civic Centre partially collapsed damaging much of the Nuclear and Mining Museum space and some artifacts. But, Elliot Lake is no stranger to adversity. Staff and volunteers from the Museum Board mobilized resources in response to the collapse and salvaged art and artifacts. Planning is ongoing for a temporary home for the archives and museum space. Check back here for updates. 

A satellite location at the Fire Tower Lookout Ranger’s Station is operational during the summer season. For further information on the Nuclear & Mining Museum, email Darla Hennessey at dhennessey@elliotlake.ca or call 705-849-6373.

The museum is dedicated to preserving the history of the Elliot Lake community and focuses on the area's diverse history. 

Canadian Mining Hall of Fame

The museum is home to the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame. The Hall is dedicated to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding lifetime achievement in the mining industry. Photos and achievements of distinguished miners are featured in the Hall of Fame.

Some features of the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame include:

• Portraits and biographies of individuals who have demonstrated outstanding lifetime achievement in the mining industry
• Dr. Franc Joubin Mineral Collection
• Geology equipment
• Geiger counter
• Technical library books on mining
• Largest collection of mine rescue equipment in Ontario
• Large wildlife mural

Visit the Hall's website to learn more.

City of Elliot Lake Miner's Memorial Selection Committee

Our Miner's Memorial Selection Committee memorializes workers who lost their lives in accidents or in occupational disease from working in Elliot Lake mines.

You can get a tribute to fallen miners by filling out a Mining Monument Name Request or Miners' Memorial Brick Purchase.

Miners Memorial Book - Memories From the Heart

Families and friends can write short biographies of loved ones that lost their lives in the Miners Memorial Book at the museum.