Located in the Timiskaming district, Matachewan is a town with a history of rich mineral deposits. Initially, Matachewan went by the name of Fort Matachewan where it used to be a Hudson’s Bay Company trading post (est. 1865). This was the first presence of the white man.

Before that time the area was an Ojibway fort that saw large number of natives living in the area. The Fort ended up closing in 1920.

When the silver rush of 1907 hit Elk Lake, prospectors raced to the area in search of the precious mineral. At the peak of the silver rush, it’s been reported that up to 200 prospectors were arriving daily.

In order to meet the needs of the prospectors, a freight-shipping settlement was constructed along a six-kilometer portage on the Montreal River. This site was 4 kilometers east of where Matachewan is found today.

The freight-shipping site allowed for prospector goods including food and supplies, to be brought in by boat. It was at this location that John Moyneur built his log hotel that grew to include a restaurant and a post office. This was Fox Rapids.

The shipping site would contain close to a dozen buildings. When the silver rush died down a few years later, prospectors left the area and the offices and hotel closed forever.
At this time John Moyneur moved his hotel to the area where Matachewan currently exists.

A second rush hit the area in the 1930’s, this time it for gold. While Mayneur’s hotel and post office saw success, Fox Rapids was by then, only a memory.