A Brief History of Ear Falls

“Otahwaka Powitek” was the name the native people had for Ear Falls. It was believed that the falls were haunted by the spirit of a giant beaver which lived between the upper and lower falls. Sometimes, when the beaver was swimming, you could see his ears (Ear Falls) rising and falling in the foaming waters.

“Obe-She-Ko-Ka” was the name the native people gave to Lac Seul. Translated, that meant Lake of the White Pine Narrows. It was the French fur traders that named the lake “Lac Seul” which translates into English as the Lonely Lake.

During the Red Lake and Woman Lake Gold Rush of 1926/27, Ear Falls and Goldpines became the major activity centres. The great freighting era followed. Goldpines and Little Canada became the key areas for freighting to the north. In 1940, Goldpines was the largest freighting base in the world. Freighting continued to play a major role in the development of Ear Falls until Highway 105 was completed in 1947.

Click one of the links on the left to learn more about different chapters in the history of Ear Falls!