Hearst

Also known as the "Moose Capital of Canada", Hearst is a town with a population of 5,620 people, located along the northern part of the Trans-Canada Highway (#11), on the Mattawishkwia River.

The Town of Hearst was originally known as Grant, but the name was changed in honour of Sir William Howard Hearst, the 7th premier of Ontario (1914-1919). As minister of Lands, Forests and Mines, Hearst was an enthusiastic advocate for Northern Ontario and was instrumental in the 1912 decision to add a portion of the former District of Keewatin to Ontario, which increased the province's size by 56 percent. While he was Premier, Hearst gave women in Ontario the right to vote in 1917.

Founded in the early 1900s and incorporated as a town in 1922, Hearst was once a small settlement of farmers. Eventually, Hearst became a maintenance station for the National Transcontinental Railway, later renamed the Canadian National Railway, as well as a terminus for the Algoma Central Railway. The rail industry attracted many people to Hearst and as a result, the population and economy grew. A large portion of the inhabitants came from Quebec and today about 90% of the community is francophone.

After World War II, family-owned lumber companies gave birth to its truly industrialized economic base and forestry became, and still continues to be, the main industry. Hearst is a major supplier of plywood, particle board and melamine. Because the forest is an integral part of Hearst's economy, the town has taken measures to maintain it as a sustainable resource. The local tree nursery, "La Maison Verte", produces nine million tree seedlings per year to help renew the forested areas.

Hearst also has a growing tourism industry. A scenic ride along the Algoma Central Railway that starts in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and passes through the Agawa Canyon, is an excellent way to get to Hearst. There are many outdoor activities to do, such as cross-country skiing, camping, hunting and fishing. The many rivers in and around Hearst provide excellent opportunities for kayaking and white water rafting. The area also boasts over 1000 km of well-groomed snowmobiling trails.

Some nearby communities include Hallebourg, Val Côté, and Mattice.

For more information about Hearst you can visit their website.