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CREIGHTON

In 1856, A. P. Salter, a provincial land surveyor, first discovered iron at the site of what is now Creighton. Further analysis also revealed nickel and copper. It wasn't until the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) built a line through the area, in 1883, that prospectors began examining the area.

On January 24, 1887 the claim was turned over to the Canadian Copper Company. Mining operations did not commence until 1900 but the first ore would not be shipped until July 1901. By this time, the site had approximately 900 miners living in the town. Mining captains were paid $145 a month and a miner received $42. Electricity for Creighton came from the High Falls generating plant (also on this webpage).

A post office was built in 1902. A two room public school was established in 1904. It was briefly closed in 1918 when the influenza epedemic broke out. The school burned down in 1921 but was rebuilt in 1924.

To ensure their workers remained healthy, the mine also opened a doctor's office in 1911. This eliminated the need for an outside doctor to make house calls. This grew into a two doctor facility by the 1940's. There was also a dentist's office. Creighton was a town with all of the amenities required.

As Creighton had citizens of religious faith, a Catholic church was built in 1916 named St. Michael's. Beginning in 1936, a priest lived inside the church. It was town down in 1986 as was most of the town.

Creighton's population slowly began to decline in the 1960's. By 1964 the town contained approx. 2000 residents. That number fell to approx. 800 in the 1980's.

INCO, not wanting to spend the money on maintaining a town, gave residents until June 30, 1988 to vacate their homes (click on the Articles link to find out more).

Creighton mine continues to operate to this day. The mine is 1.2 miles deep, making it one of the world's deepest.

Some of the local business's in Creighton included: - The post office (est. 1902) - A boarding house at 48 George Street (it burned in 1975) - Mr. Furlong's livery stable located at 1 Victor Street - Kelly's store located at 1 Mary Street (1908-1962) - Belle and Nelle's General Store (1913-1916) - Gimpoli's Butcher Shop located at 37 George Street - Sedlock's Tailor Shop (1926-1972) - Sophie's Hairdressing - George Dunsmore's restaurant - Movie theatre (est 1915) located at 52A George Street which burned down in 1928. - Laundry facility located at 6 Copper Cliff Rd. (1916-1946) - Frank Fera's store and apartments located at 5 Copper Cliff Road (1914-1919) after which the store moved to 45 George Street. That store would merga with Celestini's in 1972. - Frank Anderson's boarding house located at 1 Dack Street. He also owned a Finnish boarding house at 20 Albert Street and a dairy plant at 39A George Street (est. 1938) and lasted until 1954 when the Copper Cliff Dairy took over. - Jaworski's General Store (1917-1930) - J. Hogan's Pool and Billiards (1917-1928) - Foster's General Store located at 1 Copper Cliff Road (est. 1913) - Mrs. Lietala operated a bath house on Albert Street - Tony Alello's barber shop - The Bank of Toronto (1924) which would relocate to Lively in 1975. - J. Petrenko's garage (1981-1986) - Retgebt Theatre (est. 1935) and located at 40 George Street. It was later renamed to the Rio. The doctor was Dr. McGruther

Take Regional Road 55 from Sudbury and drive to Lively. Turn north into Lively (Reg. Road #24) and go through the town. You will see the large black/yellow sign which says CREIGHTON MINE as you go around a bend, leaving Lively. Turn into the mine road and park. The remains will be off to the right, down the blocked off dirt road. If you travel a few metres by foot you will soon find old sidewalks and the bare earth where some of the homes once stood. Other remains may be found on the other side of the highway.

The mine head in the distance	Side entrance road to a stop sign	Main road(note the sidewalks)	Once a home outside of the Creighton mine entrance	Emily Hutton, this was 31 George Street. Emily and Jim Hutton lived in the house from the early 1940's to when it was demolished. (Courtesy: Alex Singbush)	An aerial view
Creighton is #1 is painted on the side of the bus shelter		Creighton Reunion - Sept 14, 2002	Creighton Reunion - Sept 14, 2002	Creighton Reunion - Sept 14, 2002	An early photo of Creighton Mine	Postcard

Thanks to Joe Crosgrey for the pictures 11-20.
Last Image: Creighton Mine 1920's (Archives Canada- PA-15313)

View from across the highway

Sidewalk

Old post support

Rock foundation