Ontario Highway 17 Photographs - Page 3 - History of Ontario's Kings Highways

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This page contains historical photos of Ontario's King's Highway 17 dating from 1955 to 1959. All photographs displayed on this page were taken by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, unless specifically noted otherwise. Historical photographs are arranged in approximate chronological order. Click on any thumbnail to see a larger image!

Please note that all photographs displayed on this website are protected by copyright. These photographs must not be reproduced, published, electronically stored or copied, distributed, or posted onto other websites without my written permission. If you want to use photos from this website, please email me first for permission. Thank-you!

Page 3: Historical King's Highway 17 Photographs (1955 to 1959)

Above - Circa 1955 postcard view of the Port Arthur Welcome Arch on Hwy 17 (Memorial Avenue). This early colour postcard shows the original blue-and-white colour scheme of this 1930s-era municipal welcome arch. During the 1960s, the arch was reconstructed in order to accommodate a widened four-lane Hwy 17 below the structure. During reconstruction, the arch was repainted with a new orange-and-white colour scheme and the electric clock above the highway was removed. Note the series of steel outriggers immediately below the sign, which were presumably installed to enable work crews to do maintenance activities on the clock and the neon tube lighting. The steel outriggers were apparently a retrofit, as they were not present in this earlier 1939 Photo of the arch. See an Enlarged Photo Here.
(Photo courtesy of Western Smallwares & Stationery Co. Ltd, Winnipeg)

Above - Facing east along Hwy 17 towards Earls Lake from the scenic lookout 4 miles west of Mattawa (ca. 1955)
(Photo from Cameron Bevers' historical photograph collection - Original photographer unknown)

Above - Construction of the new Hawkesbury Creek and Canadian National Railway (CNR) Overhead on the Hawkesbury Bypass (Hwy 17). Photo taken on July 26, 1955.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1955)

Above - Grading operations underway on the Hawkesbury Bypass (Hwy 17). Photo taken on July 26, 1955.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1955)

Left - Completed grading on Hwy 17 about 7 miles east of the Steel River Bridge between Terrace Bay and Marathon. Photo taken on September 7, 1955.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1955)

Right - New section of Hwy 17 about 7 miles west of Marathon. Photo taken on September 7, 1955.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1955)

Above - Grader laying a fresh granular surface on an extension of Hwy 17, 8 miles west of Marathon. Photo taken on September 7, 1955.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1955)

Left - Resurfaced section of Hwy 17 approaching Port Arthur (1955)
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1955)

Right - New Department of Highways of Ontario (DHO) Fort William District Office on Hwy 17 (Arthur Street) at the Hwy 61 Junction in 1955. The Thunder Bay (Northwestern Regional Office) is now located on James Street. The former DHO Fort William District Office seen here was subsequently re-purposed after the DHO moved out, although the building itself still stands today at 1825 Arthur Street East at the corner of Kingsway. Note the Hwy 17 & Hwy 61 junction sign assembly at right. Photo taken in 1955.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1955)

Above - Reconstruction of Hwy 17 near Dryden, showing a roadside diversion for traffic staging (1955)
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1955)

Above - Grading operations underway on Hwy 17 near Dryden (1955)
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1955)

Above - Completed grading on Hwy 17 at a new earth cut near Oxdrift, west of Dryden (1955)
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1955)

Above - Junction of Hwy 17 & Hwy 70 (today's Hwy 71) at Longbow Corners, facing west towards Kenora. Photo taken on September 13, 1955.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1955)

Left - Completed rock cut on Hwy 17 near the Little Pic River west of Marathon (1955)
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1955)

Right - Completed mulch paving on Hwy 17 at Montreal River Hill, overlooking Lake Superior. Photo taken on September 20, 1955.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1955)

Left - Completed mulch pavement at Montreal River Hill on an extension of Hwy 17, about 75 miles north of Sault Ste. Marie. Photo taken on September 20, 1955.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1955)

Right - Birch Creek Bridge replacement on Hwy 17 near Webbwood, between Espanola and Massey. Photo taken on September 22, 1955.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1955)

Above - Pier construction at the new Spanish River Bridge on Hwy 17 east of Espanola. Photo taken on September 23, 1955.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1955)

Above - Pier construction at the new Spanish River Bridge, located about 5 miles east of Espanola. Photo taken on September 23, 1955.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1955)

Above - Completed Copper Cliff CPR Overhead on Hwy 17 west of Sudbury. Photo taken on September 23, 1955.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1955)

Above - Completed hot mix paving on Hwy 17 west of North Bay near Beaucage, facing west from Sta. 470+00, Contract #1955-83. Photo taken on September 26, 1955.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1955)

Above - New corrugated steel culverts on Hwy 17, 3 miles east of Hawkesbury. Photo taken on August 7, 1956.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1956)

Above - Completed Hawkesbury Creek and CNR Overhead on the Hawkesbury Bypass (Hwy 17). Photo taken on August 7, 1956.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1956)

Above - Hot mix paving on Hwy 17 through Sturgeon Falls. Photo taken on September 18, 1956.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1956)

Left - Hot mix paving on Hwy 17, 17 miles east of Terrace Bay. Photo taken on September 28, 1956.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1956)

Right - New Matawin River Bridge on Hwy 17 at Sunshine, located 12 miles west of Kakabeka Falls. Note the diminutive one lane bridge on Hwy 17 at right. Photo taken on September 30, 1956.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1956)

Above - Pier construction for the new Little Pic River Bridge on a diversion of Hwy 17, 17 miles west of Marathon. Photo taken on September 28, 1956.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1956)

Above - Preparation to blast a new rock cut on Hwy 17, 9 miles west of the Hwy 120 Junction (today's Hwy 11) at Shabaqua Corners. Photo taken on October 1, 1956.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1956)

Above - Reconstruction of Hwy 17 under Contract #1955-95, 8 miles west of Oxdrift. Photo taken on October 2, 1956.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1956)

Above - Clearing and rock excavation for a new alignment of Hwy 17, 1 1/2 miles east of the Ontario-Manitoba Boundary. Photo taken on October 3, 1956.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1956)

Above - Construction of a new nine-bay DHO highway maintenance garage on Hwy 17 east of Kenora. Photo taken on October 4, 1956.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1956)

Left - Sign on northbound Hwy 17 departing from Sault Ste. Marie warning motorists that the highway ends 92 miles ahead at the Agawa River. It wasn't until 1960 that Hwy 17 was punched through to Wawa and Marathon. Motorists in Sault Ste. Marie who wished to travel to Northwestern Ontario on an all-Canadian highway route had to double-back all the way to Sturgeon Falls and use Hwy 64 and Hwy 11 to reach Nipigon and the discontinuous western leg of Hwy 17. Alternatively, motorists could drive through the United States via Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, or have their vehicle transported to Port Arthur from Sault Ste. Marie by ship. Suffice to say, travelling around Northern Ontario was far more difficult back then! When Hwy 17 was completed around Lake Superior in 1960, the highway distance through Ontario between Sault Ste. Marie and Port Arthur (now part of Thunder Bay) was reduced by nearly 800 km (500 miles). See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken on October 9, 1956.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1956)

Right - Grading for an extension of Hwy 17 north of Agawa River. Photo taken on October 9, 1956.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1956)

Above - Temporary Agawa River Bailey Bridge on Hwy 17 in Lake Superior Provincial Park north of Sault Ste. Marie. Photo taken on October 9, 1956.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1956)

Above - New rock cut and completed grading approaching the Spanish River Bridge, located about 5 miles east of Espanola. Photo taken on October 11, 1956.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1956)

Above - Completed Spanish River Bridge on Hwy 17 between Espanola and Nairn Centre. Photo taken on October 11, 1956.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1956)

Above - Completed approach to the Nairn Railway Overhead on Hwy 17 between Sudbury and Espanola. Photo taken on October 12, 1956.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1956)

Above - Facing east along Hwy 17 towards the Hwy 29 Junction near Arnprior (ca. 1957)
(Photo from Cameron Bevers' historical photograph collection - Original photographer unknown)

Above - Completed hot mix asphalt pavement on Hwy 17 west of the Hwy 120 Junction (today's Hwy 11) at Shabaqua Corners. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1957.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1957)

Left - Oversized loads on Hwy 17 at Deep River in 1957. The trucks are hauling components for the Rolphton Power Plant.
(Photo from Cameron Bevers' historical photograph collection - Original photographer unknown)

Right - Wolf River Bridge on Hwy 17 between Dorion and Hurkett in 1957. The original Wolf River Bridge on Hwy 17 was a timber through truss bridge, similar in design to the famous Sioux Narrows Bridge on Hwy 71. The main through truss span was 90 feet (28 metres) in length. The Wolf River Bridge was completed in 1937. Unfortunately, the eastern approach to this bridge was narrow and winding and a new alignment was eventually built which bypassed the wooden bridge entirely. The current Wolf River Bridge was completed in 1959 and the old wooden bridge seen here was subsequently demolished. The approaches to the former Wolf River Bridge can still be found today in the forest just to the north of the current highway. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken on September 25, 1957.
(Photo © Archives of Ontario - Series RG-14-162-5-166, Photo #914-57, AO6881)

Above - Construction of the Little Pic River Bridge on Hwy 17 near Marathon. The steel deck truss portion of the bridge was about 50% complete when this photo was taken in the autumn of 1957. Until the permanent bridge was completed in 1958, Hwy 17 traffic used a temporary Bailey Bridge located a short distance upstream of the permanent bridge site. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in September 1957.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1957)

Left - Guide sign at the western end of the North Bay Bypass (Hwy 17) at the Hwy 17B Junction. Photo taken circa 1957.
(Photo courtesy of North Magazine - Donated by Eric Vettoretti)

Right - Hwy 11 & Hwy 17 route markers on the North Bay Bypass. Photo taken circa 1957.
(Photo courtesy of North Magazine - Donated by Eric Vettoretti)

Left - Route marker assembly approaching the Hwy 63 Junction on the North Bay Bypass (Hwy 11 & Hwy 17). Photo taken circa 1957.
(Photo courtesy of North Magazine - Donated by Eric Vettoretti)

Right - Route marker assembly approaching Fisher Street on the North Bay Bypass (Hwy 11 & Hwy 17). Photo taken circa 1957.
(Photo courtesy of North Magazine - Donated by Eric Vettoretti)

Left - Circa 1957 postcard view of Hwy 17 at Lauzon Lake, east of Blind River. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken circa 1957.
(Photo courtesy of Sudbury News Service Ltd, Sudbury)

Right - Circa 1958 postcard view of the Little Pic River from the Hwy 17 Bridge between Marathon and Terrace Bay. Note the old alignment of Hwy 17 clinging to the cliffs at left, which led down to a temporary bridge across the Little Pic River. This former alignment of Hwy 17 was closed to traffic once the permanent Little Pic River Bridge opened to traffic in 1958. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken circa 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Alex Wilson Publications Ltd, Dryden)

Left - Circa 1958 postcard view of Main Street (Hwy 17) in Hawkesbury. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken circa 1958.
(Photo courtesy of UNIC Publications, Montreal)

Right - Geotechnical and foundations work camp in Lake Superior Provincial Park in 1958. The wild eastern shoreline of Lake Superior was practically inaccessible by ground prior to the construction of Hwy 17. Engineers had to be transported by helicopter to access some of the more remote camps to do field investigations and surveying for the proposed highway. The crew photographed here were taking soil samples for two proposed Hwy 17 structures over the Baldhead River and North Baldhead River. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in February 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Above - Old timber trestle bridge over the Eagle River on Hwy 17 west of Dryden, prior to being removed. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Above - Replacement bridge over the Eagle River on Hwy 17 west of Dryden. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Left - Aerial view of the advance clearing completed for an extension of Hwy 17 north of Old Woman Bay in Lake Superior Provincial Park. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Right - Aerial view of the new approaches to the proposed Big Pic River Bridge near Marathon. The intersection in the foreground is the Hwy 17 & Hwy 627 Junction. Note the temporary Hwy 17 bridge across the Big Pic River downstream of the proposed structure. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Above - New DHO Truck Scales on Hwy 17 east of Petawawa. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Above - DHO roadside park and lookout over the Ottawa River on Hwy 17 near Deux Rivieres. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Above - Completed hot mix asphalt pavement on Hwy 17, 5 miles west of Iron Bridge. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Left - Grading nearing completion on an extension of Hwy 17, 6 miles south of White River. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Right - Remote highway construction camp on Hwy 17 at Marion Lake, 15 miles south of White River. This temporary building complex was provided to house construction and engineering staff during construction of the Trans-Canada Highway between White River and Wawa. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Above - Old Hwy 17 bridge over the Kaministiquia River at Kakabeka Falls in 1958. Although Hwy 17 was reconstructed on a new alignment which bypassed the old bridge, this former highway structure was retained as part of an access road within Kakabeka Falls Provincial Park for many years before being replaced in the early 2000s. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Above - New Kaministiquia River Bridge on Hwy 17 at Kakabeka Falls. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Left - View of Lake Superior and completed grading on an extension of Hwy 17, 13 miles north of the Agawa River. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in September 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Right - Heavy grading on an extension of Hwy 17 about 15 miles north of Agawa River in Lake Superior Provincial Park. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in September 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Left - Construction of the permanent White River Bridge on Hwy 17 in 1958, 14 miles north of White River. Note the temporary Hwy 17 bridge in the background. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Right - White River Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Overhead on Hwy 17 south of White River. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Above - Start of the new Thessalon Bypass (Hwy 17), facing east from the Hwy 17B Junction at Thessalon's western entrance. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Left - Completed Little Pic River Bridge on Hwy 17 north of Marathon. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Right - Revised alignment of Hwy 17 and new rock cut about 2 miles west of Nipigon. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Above - Roadside park and picnic area on Hwy 17 at Muskrat Lake near Cobden (1958)
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Left - Completed hot mix asphalt pavement and new rock cut on Hwy 17 south of the Hwy 17A Junction (today's Hwy 102) at Sistonens Corners. Note the passing lane provided for eastbound traffic. While passing lanes appear fairly frequently along Hwy 17 today, they were not very common back in the 1950s. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Right - Alignment revision of Hwy 17 near Revell River, 15 miles west of Ignace. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Left - Compacting granular base on Hwy 17 near the Agawa River north of Sault Ste. Marie. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1958.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1958)

Right - Asphalt pavement and zone striping on Hwy 17 west of Red Rock Corners near Nipigon. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1959.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1959)

Above - Heavy grading and rock cut on the Cavers Hill Diversion near Rossport (1959)
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1959)

Left - Construction crew laying hot-mix asphalt on Hwy 17 near White River (1959)
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1959)

Right - Grading operations on a new section of Hwy 17 north of the Agawa River (1959)
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1959)

Above - Large rock cut and fill on Hwy 17 at Agawa Hill in 1959. The photo above illustrates some of the difficult terrain that was encountered when building the Trans-Canada Highway around the northern and eastern shores of Lake Superior. Grading the Agawa Hill section of Hwy 17 took several years to complete. The path for the new highway was notched out of a nearly vertical rock face. The difference in elevation between the bottom of this rock fill and the top of the rock cut is about 180 feet (55 metres).
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1959)

Above - Construction of the Hwy 17 & Hwy 17A (Alt) Interchange at the eastern end of the Ottawa Queensway at Montreal Road, Contract #1958-48. For many years, this was the final interchange on the Ottawa Queensway before the dual highway narrowed back to a two-lane undivided highway east of Ottawa. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1959.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1959)

Above - Muskeg excavation on a proposed diversion of Hwy 17 east of North Bay near the Hwy 94 Junction, Contract #1959-65. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1959.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1959)

Left - View of Chippewa Falls and the Chippewa River Bridge on Hwy 17, north of Sault Ste. Marie (1959)
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1959)

Right - Aerial view of the completed Michipicoten River Bridge on Hwy 17 south of Wawa in 1959, taken about one year prior to the highway's opening. Compare this 1959 photo to this 1960 photo, which shows the highway after paving operations were completed and the highway was opened to traffic.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1959)

Above - Construction of the White Lake Narrows Bridge on Hwy 17 between Marathon and White River in 1959. Note the ferry operating in the background. For a few years in the late 1950s, the Department of Highways operated a ferry service for Hwy 17 traffic across White Lake. Once the new White Lake Narrows Bridge was completed and opened to traffic in 1960, the ferry service was suspended. The two former ferry docks are still visible today along the shores of White Lake. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1959.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1959)

Above - Aerial view of the Barrett River Bridge construction site on Hwy 17 in Lake Superior Provincial Park (1959)
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1959)

Left - New Hwy 17 Bridge over the River Aux Sables in Massey. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1959.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1959)

Right - Junction of Hwy 17, Hwy 17B and Hwy 129 at the eastern entrance to Thessalon, facing west towards Sault Ste. Marie. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1959.
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1959)

Above - New Winnipeg River Bridge under construction on Hwy 17 west of Kenora (1959)
(Photo courtesy of Ontario Ministry of Transportation - © King's Printer for Ontario, 1959)

Above - Postcard view of Pembroke Street (Hwy 17, later known as Hwy 148) in 1959, facing east from Moffat Street in Downtown Pembroke. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1959.
(Photo courtesy of C.R Sterling Photos)

Above - View of Pembroke Street (Hwy 17, later known as Hwy 148) in 1959, facing east towards Agnes Street in Downtown Pembroke. While Hwy 17 served as Pembroke's main street, it also served as a link in the Trans-Canada Highway and also served as the Ottawa Valley's main through highway. This great photo perfectly captures daily life in small-town Ontario during the 1950s - busy downtown shops, movie theatres, a downtown gas station and lots of traffic. Over the years, many of Pembroke's downtown businesses have closed or relocated to suburban shopping centres - a fate not at all uncommon in towns and smaller cities throughout Ontario. It is interesting to note that the stationery store located beside the movie theatre at left in this photo is still in operation today, although the movie theatre building beside it has since been demolished. See an Enlarged Photo Here. Photo taken in 1959.
(Photo © Archives of Ontario - Series RG-65-35, Photo #I-0005681)

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