The Town That Moved
The story of Lynn Lake actually begins in Sherridon, Manitoba. Established around a rich body of copper ore by Sherritt Gordon Mines Limited in the early 1920's, Sherridon's future looked bleak when the ore began to run out less than two decades later. This situation forced the Company to dispatch prospectors throughout the region in an effort to locate another ore body. Those expeditions proved to be a success. By 1945, Sherritt had laid claim to one of the world's richest nickel strikes.
The challenge for Sherritt Gordon Mines had just begun. The prospect of establishing a mine in a totally isolated area some 120 miles north of Sherridon - an area not accessible by road or rail - seemed like a daunting task! In 1945, a winter road was constructed between Sherridon and the new mining site. Although the sites were only 120 miles apart, the ice packed winter road was 165 miles long. The trail, with over 50 portages, passed over frozen muskeg and lakes, through bush and a few ravines. Because of the terrain, the road was only useable between freeze up and spring thaw. At other times of the year, the land overflowed with water causing anything crossing it to sink into the muskeg and become immobile.
Eventually a site was chosen between two lakes and surveyors were hired to plan the town. Areas were allocated for houses, churches, an arena, a clubhouse, roads and lanes. The town was named Lynn Lake after Sherritt Gordon's Chief Engineer, Lynn Smith.
The town planners soon realized, however, that it would be less expensive to physically move existing buildings from Sherridon, which would have been abandoned, to the new site instead of building new ones. Eldon Brown, President of Sherritt Gordon Mines, summarized the feelings of the company and the people with this statement: "Sherridon won't become a ghost town; we'll take the ghost with us."
It was the Linn Tractor that helped moved the town of Lynn Lake, Manitoba from its original location of Sherridon, Manitoba in the 1950's. Over 50,000 tons were moved over a three-year period and were only hauled during the winter months. The trail was rough and each trip extremely dangerous. It took between 70 and 75 hours to travel one-way between Sherridon and Lynn Lake. Despite the potential danger, few mishaps occurred.
Today, Lynn Lake is a gold mining town whose hardy people offer a welcoming hand to any visitor or new resident. Come celebrate our history. Click here to view directions to Lynn Lake, and click here to arrange accommodations.