Arpin

Arpin is located in Pyne Township, Cochrane District. It began back in 1908 when the Temiskaming and Northern Ontario Railway (T&NOR) completed the railway line to Cochrane. With the railway completed, the area was open to settlers to make their homes in the surrounding area.

The government opened a few colonization roads offering land to those who would build homes and farmsteads upon it. One colonization road was built south from Norembega Station (east of Cochrane). It initially attracted approximately 20 French Canadian and Finnish settlers. That number grew to 116 residents by the year 1921.

As the colonization road grew to a respectful size, more settlers arrived in the area. By 1931 the population had grown to 259 residents.

At the center of this area, a small settlement began to be built up in order to provide goods and services for the farmers in the surrounding area. A school, general store and post office (est. 1927) were constructed. The post office went by the name of Pyne, the name of the township.

The name was changed in 1927 to Arpin presumably to avoid being confused with that of the township. While the population of Arpin numbered approximately 100 residents, it’s lifespan was short.

The land, although fertile, was prone to the cold Northern Ontario nights. Frost could destroy entire crops overnight. If this occurred, farmers would need to find income elsewhere – normally in the pulpwood cutting business.

The pulpwood market fell through with the Great Depression in he 1930’s leaving the farmers with no alternatives for income, should the crops fail.

After enduring early frosts, and losing their crops, many farmers chose to move their families elsewhere. The population began to decline. By 1941 the population stood at 144 residents.

While a few dozen residents were determined to remain in the area, Arpin wasn’t a complete ghost town. By the 1950’s however the majority of the residents had left – leaving only homes for seasonal use in the summer.

In 1961 Pyne Township could count only two dozen residents. At this time the store and post office closed permanently.

The population again fell to half a dozen, five years later. By 1971 there were no permanent residents left.

To find Arpun, you will need to travel to Cochrane District. Take Highway 574 until it leads south. Do not turn into Norembega but continue straight down the Arpin Road for approximately 7km.