The small town of Wawa, Ontario, Canada is a year-round recreational destination surrounded by inland lakes, connecting rivers and nature parks. It is located 15 miles west of Hawk Junction Station on the Canadian National Railway, on the Sault Ste. Vallee Park and down to Anderson Lake. Wawa's history is based on mineral extraction, with gold being the first attraction for prospectors in the late 1660s.
It wasn't until 1896 that gold was discovered in nearby Lake Wawa, leading to a race to the area. The name Wawa, adopted in the 1890s, comes from the Ojibwa word meaning wild goose and was first applied to Lake Wawa, where the community was established. The community was serviced by the Algoma Central Railway and its main industries have been forestry and tourism. Iron ore mining has also been an important industry in the area.
Throughout the 1990s, Algoma Ore and Wawa continued to be challenged by international markets ravaging the gold and iron mining industries. With the current collapse of the forestry industry not only in Wawa, but in the neighboring communities of Dubreuilville and White River, the municipality of Wawa faces serious difficulties in attracting new industries to the community and the region. Wawa is a great place for outdoor activities such as snowmobiling, cycling and fishing. Every winter, Wawa caters to snowmobiles with sledge-friendly accommodations and amenities avid cyclists are looking for, as well as equipment and guides ready to take beginners to the trails. Escape and experience the tranquility of your lakefront cabin retreat on beautiful Catfish Lake northwest of Wawa, Ontario.
Jackson (Shoreline, Wawa, Lake Superior) this beautiful beach is a natural meeting place for locals and visitors. For more information on everything there is to see and do in Wawa, scroll down or visit the city's tourism website. Although mining attempts began in the late 1660s, it wasn't until 1896 that gold was discovered in nearby Lake Wawa, leading to a race to the area. Wawa suffered a decline in population after the closure of the Helen Mine and Algoma Ore Division sintering plant, leaving its main industries such as forestry and tourism. Wawa is located 15 miles west of Hawk Junction Station on the Canadian National Railway, on the Sault Ste. Vallee Park and down to Anderson Lake and you'll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the city and Lake Wawa.
Its location on the northeastern shore of Lake Superior makes it a natural stop when traveling the Great Lakes. Wawa's main industries have been forestry and tourism for many years now. Iron ore mining has also been an important industry in this area since its discovery in 1896. The city's name was changed to Jamestown in honor of Sir James Hamet Dunn but was later changed back to Wawa at the request of community residents. The municipality of Wawa faces serious difficulties in attracting new industries due to recent collapses in forestry industry not only in Wawa but also in Dubreuilville and White River. Despite this challenge, there are still plenty of outdoor activities available such as snowmobiling, cycling and fishing that make it a great destination for travelers.
