Kenora

In 1882, Kenora was first incorporated as Rat Portage. At that time the town, located in the Lake of the Woods area, was part of Manitoba. Ten years later, with the Ontario/Manitoba border readjusted, the town was back as part of Ontario.

In 1905 the name was officially changed to Kenora, to use the first two letters of the surrounding settlements of Keewatin, Norman and the former name of Rat Portage. Kenora’s unique past is narrated through 21 murals painted on buildings, many of which are historic, throughout the city’s core.

Nestled in a glorious sweep on the north shore of the Lake of the Woods, Kenora is a vibrant slice of city life and culture that has been transported into a pristine wilderness setting. The area is a sportsman’s dream: walleye, muskie, northern, small and large mouth bass, duck, deer, moose, and bear are all here. Camp, hike or bike along the Canadian Shield, or learn more about the local history by visiting the Lake of the Woods Museum and the Railroad Museum.

Timber, fishing, gold mining, milling, railway construction and the fur trade were the early industries for Kenora. Today forestry, tourism, mining and the retail trade account for the success of the approximately 15,000 residents.

Visit the official Kenora website.