In 1868 . Dawson suggested a combined rail and water route to link Lake Superior and the West. The plan for the route involved the construction of a series, dams and locks from Dog Lale to lake of the Woods. 25 miles of railway would be built from Thunder Bay to Dog Lake and another 110 miles of track would be built from Lake of the Woods to Selkirk.
This route while the dream of many proved to expensive. It was abandoned by 1878 in favour of a transcontinental railway. Early routes through the United Staes were rejected. In 1872 Sir Sanford Fleming to make a preliminary survey of the possible routes. After considerable study the party of survieyors established a route from Eagle Lake via Wabigoon River to Thunder Bay via Sunshine Creek. This Northern route was chosen for the railway. It would pass through Rat Portage (Kenora). Kenora is located at the very center of the North American continent. To get from the East to the West or vice versa you have to pass either through it or very close to it. Kenora benefited immensely from the construction of the railway.
In 1874 the Parliament of Canada passed an Act for the construction of the railway.
In 1877 work began on building the CPR from Winnipeg. Somewhat latter construction began from Prince Arthur.
Labour for the railway was recruitde from Canada, Europe and Asia. The term "nanny" or navvies, an abreviation of navigators was commonly used to refer to these unskilled labourers. Ondrew Onderdonk imported 2000 chineses from Hong Kong. Other workers included Scandinavians, Ukranians, English, French , Indians.
The Winnipeg to Rat Portage was completed in 1882.
A transcription of a letter from P.J. O’ Brien, CPR, dated February 10 1951 to Miss Etta Stephen, Public Librarian Kenora Ontario, found in a manuscript entitled Tracks ‘Chemin De Fer, An opportunity for youth project based on the history of the C.P.R. in the Kenora (Rat Portage), by Michelle Cochhla, et al 1972 indicates,
“First train into Rat Portage from Winnipeg June 11, 1882, and first train from Montreal in May of 1885, likely on May 17.”
Kenora provided 50% of the ties required for the construction of the railway. Three dynamite plants were built there to carve the railway though granite where required. Seven saw mills opened up to provide lumber and timber within a few years of the arrival of the railway. One million board feet of lumber was being shipped by the CPR by 1885. 5 Million pounds of fish and cavier were also shipped from
Flour mills opened up and Rat Portage became the largest producer of Flour in Canada.
Between 1880s and 1920s, Blueberries were an important commodity with as much as 180 tons shipped in one year.
Hotels opened up to serve business people and vistors. By 1890 6 hotels had been constructed.
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