Cobalt, is a small town of 1,000 residents located in northeastern Ontario, near the border with Quebec. Cobalt lies just east of the Northern Route of the Trans-Canada Highway #11, about 145 km N of North Bay and about 100 km S of Kirkland Lake. Cobalt is accessed via Highway 118 midway between Highway 11 and Haileybury/Temaskaming Shores where it rejoins Highway 11.
If you continue driving on Highway 11, you by-pass Cobalt and Haileybury to the east of the Highway..
Today, Cobalt is a vibrant community that celebrates its rich history and culture. The town is home to a number of historic landmarks and attractions, including the Cobalt Mining Museum, the Heritage Silver Trail, and the Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre. It is also a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, thanks to its scenic natural beauty and proximity to a number of lakes and wilderness areas.
Cobalt History
In 1903, a silver deposit was discovered near Cobalt by a railway worker named Frederick LaRose. This discovery sparked a silver rush, and within a few years, the town of Cobalt had grown rapidly as prospectors and miners flooded into the area.
During the early 1900s, Cobalt became one of the most important silver-mining centers in the world, with numerous mines. These mines produced a significant tonnage of silver, as well as other minerals such as cobalt, nickel, and arsenic.
The silver rush made Cobalt a center of industry, commerce, and culture. The town was connected to the rest of Ontario by a railway line, and it had several hotels, theaters, and other amenities.
By the end of Word War II, the area’s silver deposits were depleted and most of the mines in Cobalt had closed. However, the town has continued to thrive as a center for mining and industry for the region.