Cobalt and its Silver Rush

The Town of Cobalt is home to about 1000 people – a population very proud of their rich history. Cobalt was founded in 1903 and experienced an incredible silver boom that peaked in the 1920s and made a significant impact on Canada’s overall economy. Cobalt was famous! People were eager to hop on the train from Toronto to come here. Many traveled from all over the world to work and live in Cobalt. Today, Cobalt’s downtown core is alive with cultural entrepreneurship – you will find, for example, a local artist’s store selling unique artwork and providing custom framing; an aboriginal craft store; a publishing company housing a small bookshop with material on local subject matter; a historic theatre presenting professional acts and housing community initiatives from year to year, a family-owned restaurant, a hairstylist’s shop, and three very interesting museums.

Heritage Silver Trail

This is a self-guided tour around various mine sites in Cobalt. Maps and further information are available at the Cobalt Mining Museum. The trail can either be navigated by foot or by motor vehicle. It consists of 19 historic mine sites. At each site, you will find a sign depicting the history of that particular site. The tour is very informative and interesting.

Underground Colonial Mine Adit Tour

The underground tour of the Colonial Mine Adit, a mine that was once fully operational in the outskirts of the Town of Cobalt, is offered by the Cobalt Mining Museum during the summer months. Guided tours inside the Colonial Mine Adit last approximately 40 minutes underground. Hard hats are required and are provided by the Museum. This mine was in operation from 1907 to 1937 during Cobalt's silver boom. It is estimated that 1.25 million ounces of silver were produced from the Colonial Mine alone. The tour guides are friendly and knowledgeable. You do not want to miss this one-of-a-kind tour!

Museums

Cobalt is home to three distinct museums. The Cobalt Mining Museum features local history pertaining to all things Cobalt – particularly, of course, the town’s mining history. During the summer months, knowledgeable and dedicated staff can take you on guided tours throughout town. The Bunker Military Museum is home to an incredible military collection, telling the stories of soldiers from not just Cobalt, but from all over the world. The Bunker Military Museum is on the bottom floor of the former Fraser Hotel. Cobalt also is home to the Northern Ontario Firefighters’ Museum, with images and information on local fires (Cobalt experienced a devastating fire in 1977) – a great way to commemorate the hard work and dedication of firefighters local to Northern Ontario.

Group of Seven Tour

Take part in a self-guided tour to learn and see where the Group of Seven artists have painted beautiful Northern Ontario landscaping.

Mini-putt

Built in 2011, Teck Prospect Park features an outdoor jungle gym and a unique mini-putt for the public to enjoy during the warmer months. What’s interesting about this mini-putt is that all the greens are designed to show off the many historic buildings that exist in the Town of Cobalt.

Right-of-Way Mine Tour

This guided tour was developed only in recent years and is delivered in the summer months by the staff of the Cobalt Mining Museum. The Right-of-Way head frame is one of the most visible original in-town head frames in Cobalt. It is situated by the train tracks, just behind St. Patrick's School. This unique tour is one that you do not want to miss.

Bunker Military Museum Guided Tour

The tour of the Bunker Military Museum can either be self-guided or guided by knowledgeable staff. This museum features many unique wartime artefacts unique to the South Temiskaming area, but also provincial, national, and international relics.