Foleyet History

As with many other towns in North Eastern Ontario the European history of Foleyet began with the fur trade. In the early 1800s, a Hudson's Bay post called "Pishkanogami Post"was established on Ivanhoe Lake across from the present Ivanhoe Provincial Park on the old channel of the river. The post was similar to Flying Post on Kukatush (Groundhog) Lake later to be run by the rival Northwest Company.

Natives have lived in the area for centuries. Some of their burial grounds have been recorded and pictographs show evidence of their spiritual beliefs. Trapping and hunting was an important part of their part of their life using canoes in the summer and snow shoes in the winter to cover hundreds of kilometers in the surrounding area.

The Canadian National Railway changed the area dramatically when it arrived in the early 1900s. Workmen were needed to service the rails, and towns were built along the tracks at regular intervals. Kukatush was one such town. A Hudson Bay post already located there was then supplied by rail and canoe. Other such towns were Palomar and Tionaga. Education for children of rail employees was accomplished by the "School-On-Wheels" that followed the route from Foleyet to Capreol, Ontario. Many of these townsites have long since disappeared as their services were no longer needed.

The name Pishkanogami was changed to the more romantic name Ivanhoe in the 1960s. The town of Foleyet has had a precarious relationship with this lake. In 1917, a dam was built at the east end of the lake. The dam resulted in creating a new river by joining Midway Creek and Muskego Rivers. The dam broke in 1918. This caused the lake to drop about 7 metres causing a severe flood in Foleyet. A similar flood in the early 1960s caused an evacuation of the town.

Camps were set up for the construction of the railroad in 1911. The contractors for the job were the Foley Brothers who wanted to name the town after themselves, but there had already been a town named Foley. According to local history, the Brothers got upset and said,"We'll name this place Foley yet!" The term "Foley yet" stuck!

Besides the railroad, the history of Foleyet is linked with lumber. Mills have produced lumber for export since the trains began running. Lumbering forms an important part of the economy of Foleyet today. Also contributing to the economy are hunting and fishing camps along with cottaging locations.

Unparalleled swimming, boating and camping opportunities are now available at nearby Ivanhoe Provincial Park.

		A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF FOLEYET
	As with many other towns in North Eastern Ontario the European history of Foleyet began with the fur trade. In the early 1800s, a Hudson's Bay post called "Pishkanogami Post"was established on Ivanhoe Lake across from the present Ivanhoe Provincial Park on the old channel of the river. The post was similar to Flying Post on Kukatush (Groundhog) Lake later to be run by the rival Northwest Company. Natives have lived in the area for centuries. Some of their burial grounds have been recorded and pictographs show evidence of their spiritual beliefs. Trapping and hunting was an important part of their part of their life using canoes in the summer and snow shoes in the winter to cover hundreds of kilometers in the surrounding area. The Canadian National Railway changed the area dramatically when it arrived in the early 1900s. Workmen were needed to service the rails, and towns were built along the tracks at regular intervals. Kukatush was one such town. A Hudson Bay post already located there was then supplied by rail and canoe. Other such towns were Palomar and Tionaga. Education for children of rail employees was accomplished by the "School-On-Wheels" that followed the route from Foleyet to Capreol, Ontario. Many of these townsites have long since disappeared as their services were no longer needed. The name Pishkanogami was changed to the more romantic name Ivanhoe in the 1960s. The town of Foleyet has had a precarious relationship with this lake. In 1917, a dam was built at the east end of the lake. The dam resulted in creating a new river by joining Midway Creek and Muskego Rivers. The dam broke in 1918. This caused the lake to drop about 7 metres causing a severe flood in Foleyet. A similar flood in the early 1960s caused an evacuation of the town. Camps were set up for the construction of the railroad in 1911. The contractors for the job were the Foley Brothers who wanted to name the town after themselves, but there had already been a town named Foley. According to local history, the Brothers got upset and said,"We'll name this place Foley yet!" The term "Foley yet" stuck! Besides the railroad, the history of Foleyet is linked with lumber. Mills have produced lumber for export since the trains began running. Lumbering forms an important part of the economy of Foleyet today. Also contributing to the economy are hunting and fishing camps along with cottaging locations. Unparalleled swimming, boating and camping opportunities are now available at nearby Ivanhoe Provincial Park.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE TOWN OF FOLEYET