Kirkland Lake is a town and municipality in Timiskaming District of Northeastern Ontario. The 2016 population, according to Statistics Canada, was 7,981.
The community name was based on a nearby lake which in turn was named after Winnifred Kirkland, a secretary of the Ontario Department of Mines in Toronto. The lake was named by surveyor Louis Rorke in 1907. Miss Kirkland never visited the town, and the lake that bore her name did not exist as it dried because of mine tailings, but recently due to floodings of the mineshafts has come back up to about half of its initial deepness. The community comprises Kirkland Lake (Teck Township), as well as Swastika, Chaput Hughes, Bernhardt, and Morrisette Township.
Kirkland Lake was built on gold, but is also notable for its hockey players. As well, hockey broadcaster Foster Hewitt called Kirkland Lake "the town that made the NHL." The town celebrated this via Hockey Heritage North, which was renamed Heritage North.
Until January 1, 1972, the town was known as Township of Teck. A by-law was introduced, on July 20, 1971, to change the municipality's name to Town of Kirkland Lake, effective January 1, 1972.
History
Gold in the Kirkland Lake region was originally reported in the late 1800s by Chief Ignace Tonené of the Temagami First Nation. In fact, he staked a claim near the north arm of Larder Lake but stated it was jumped (stolen). No action was taken on his report. Chief Tonene Lake was named in his honour. Chief Ignace Tonené would go on to help form Beaverhouse First Nation.
Later, Tom Price discovered a boulder containing gold on a visit to the Kirkland Lake area in 1906.
In 1911, important claims were made along the Main Break. John Hunton staked claims on February 18, 1911, which were incorporated as the Hunton Gold Mines Ltd. in April 1914, eventually becoming part of the Amalgamated Kirkland. Stephen Orr filed claims on February 22, 1911, the basis for the Teck-Hughes Mine and the Orr Gold Mines Ltd, which was incorporated in June 1913. George Minaker staked claims on February 23, 1911, part of which he sold to (Sir) Harry Oakes in September 1912, becoming part of the Lake Shore Mine. John Reamsbottom filed claims on April 18, 1911, which became part of the Teck-Hughes Mine.
It was at Teck-Hughes mine that miners and engineers developed Teck cable for sturdy electrical transmission. That type of cable is now used on electrical projects around the world.
C.A. McKane staked claims on April 20, 1911, which became the Kirkland Lake Gold Mine. A. Maracle staked claims on June 5, 1911, which became part of the Townsite claims. Melville McDougall staked claims on June 27, 1911, which he transferred to Oakes on September 6, 1912, and became the part of the Lake Shore Mine. Jack Matchett staked a claim on July 7, 1911, later acquired by Oakes, which became part of the Townsite Mine. On July 10, 1911, Dave Elliott staked claims which became the Macassa Mine. "Swift" Burnside staked claims on July 26–28, 1911, which became part of the Tough-Oakes Burnside Mine. Bill Wright filed claims on July 27–29, 1911, and on September 16, 1911, with his brother-in-law Ed. Hargreaves, which became part of the Sylvanite Mine. This claim extended into the lake's southeastern portion. More importantly, Wright found free gold near the future site of the Discovery Shaft. Ed. Horne staked a claim on October 12, 1911, which became part of the Townsite Mine, and the incorporation of Kirkland Townsite Gold Mines Ltd. in 1917. On January 8, 1912, Harry Oakes partnered with the Tough brothers plus Clem. Foster, who owned the Foster Silver Mine in Cobalt, staked claims which incorporated the No. 2 Vein and eventually led to the incorporation of Tough-Oakes Gold Mines Ltd. in 1913. Oakes filed additional claims on July 30, 1912, and Wright on August 26, 1912, both within the lake and eventually becoming parts of the Lake Shore Mine.
By 1914, there was one mine in operation, the Tough-Oakes, which included electric power transmitted from Charlton. A settlement had formed at the southwest arm of the lake, which included a post office, stores and a hotel.