Flin Flon
Fascinating Flin Flon
By Tania Moffat Flin Flon is nestled in and around Ross Lake. B
uilt upon an ancient volcano on the edge of the Precambrian Shield lies a coveted vacation desti- nation. Greenstone Country, a reference to the greenish, fine-grained stone found
in the area surrounding Flin Flon, is a pho- tographer’s dream. Here, you can get your fill of nature and history, enjoy a nice eve- ning in the city, catch a game of golf or maybe even that trophy fish you’ve been dreaming of. Flin Flon’s coffers are full; it is rich in both history and natural beauty. At the centre of town is Ross Lake.
economy. Te city’s strong retail and business communities are an attraction for both residents and visitors. Josiah Flintabbatey Flonatin
How to get there Calm Air offers 8 flights per week.
Tourists and locals can be found strolling the boardwalk and trails circling the lake, sit- ting on a park bench enjoying the view of the ma- jestic cliffs while listening to the haunting calls of loons. A bridge offers a great vantage point for watching the rushing water of Flin Flon creek as it cascades into the lake. Te city’s riches can be attributed to the Precambrian
Amisk volcanic belt that was formed almost two billion years ago. Aquatic volcanic eruptions coupled with the re- curring formation and recession of glaciers over time gave birth to the beautiful landscape and rich mineral deposits of zinc, copper, silver and gold. Te finding of such abundant natural resources led to
the development of a bustling mining community. Today, residents can enjoy the character of the original old mining town with modern opportunities created by a very healthy
46 • Summer 2015
Flight duration 1 hour 23 mins.
J. E. Preston Muddock would have been thrilled to know that his character, Josiah Flintabbatey Flonatin, was the inspiration behind this city’s name. To date, Flin Flon is still the only city in the world named after a science fiction char- acter! As most great things happen, the naming
occurred by chance. Tom Creighton, a pros- pector, was on his way to find fortune and fame when he came across a book left in the woods. Te Sunless City, wove a tale of discovery within its pages. Essentially, Josiah Flintabbatey Flonatin drove
his submarine through a gold-encrusted tunnel, only to happen upon a hidden civilization, an inspirational tale for a fellow fortune seeker. Creighton, so the story goes, met up with trapper, David
Collins, in 1914. Collins purportedly showed him an area rich in copper, a location which he subsequently named Flin Flon in honour of Muddock’s character. Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting was quick to establish
a fully functional mine and one of the largest smelters in the country in Flin Flon. In the end the mine was not a massive find, but it did lead to the development of a thriv- ing community. Although the original North Main mine is now closed, South Main is still in use as are other mining
The Hub
All Photos courtesy of The Flin Flon Reminder/Cottage North Magazine unless otherwise noted.
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