I worked Portage Crew from 1964 to 1969 under Park Superintendant Ross Williams
I stopped in often to see Carl and Lillian Johnson the Park Rangers at Lac La Croix
They stayed in the old log cabin – torn down before Joe and Vera arrived to replace them
I have not heard Carl and Lillians name mentioned in many of the write ups on old Park Ranger folks
They were great folks
I also remember the first day Wilbur Hyatt arrived flown in to Prarie Portage
Gary Isburg was the Park Ranger there at that time
Myself and partner took Wibur by boat to Cabin 16 and showed him around
He was nervous about lake travel and wore a big life jacket on the way down.
Berniece arrived later.

Don McClure and wife were the Park Rangers at Cache Bay for years as well – a real character
Jon Bouchard replaced him and was station there for years

You may know all of this but I never read any mention of the McClures or Johnsons

After Portage Crew I lived at Camp 111 for several years – first as a Timber Scaler for the Lands and Forest and later for Domtar Woodlands Division when they were still logging in the Northeast portion of the Park during winter months. I found it strange that most articles failed to metion this since it also is part of Quetico’s

Hello to David Williams (contributer above) son of Mr Ross Williams – he and his twin brother Lloyd and mother and father were close family friends.

Last year I went on a solo canoe trip from Mount Lake close to Atikokan ending at Kenora
Canoeing is in my blood and planning another soon
I have lived in BC since 1973 working on the Coast as a Area Engineer in Haida Gwaii and Central Vancouver Island but my heart has always been in Quetico Park where I spend many years.
I lived across the highway from Nym Lake having moved to our newly built house in 1957.
Quetico is very dear to me and my roots – growing up in the woods there
Hello to Joe and Vera Meany and my congratulations on their long time serve to Quetico and their retirement. I understand their love for Quetico

Bob Sullivan

I am currently writing down all of my memories from that time and recalled finding two small cabins along the east shoreline 1968 – may be destroyed by now
They of course were just low 1′ rectangled mounds from the long rotted log walls – covered in moss and mature trees – barely noticeable – I dug a small hole in the corner of one and discovered what I assumed to be 2 led musket balls – they were encrusted with an oxidised whitish shell. don’t know what I did with them. Never got back and told any one about them – there has to be some historical significance I used to offer all my findings to the French lake museum but were often stolen from the show cases
There was a temporary residence building lived in by campsite attendant Eugine Borgoine (now long deceaced) frenchman like Emile Thevierge (also an attendant / handyman)
The cabins were near the shoreline just north of his place. probably gone by now.
I was reading that you spent 6 summers conducting Archaeological research in Quetico – so your the guy to tell this to. There are other sites as well – another time maybe
I helped Wibur into the boat at Prarie Portage for his first trip down Basswood Lake to Cabin 16 – He had his life jacket tied on tight and very nervous about being out on the water. Bernice wasn’t with at the time. He is from the farm country west part of Rainy River District – not used to water
Knew Carl and Lillian Johnson (good friends) of Lac La Croix Ranger Station – they lived in the log building then – before Joe and Vera’s time
Gary Isberg was in charge of Prarie Portage at the time – he and Bruce Littlejohn did Portage Crew before me.
Attended the 100th year birthday Celebration of Quetico at French Lake and Atikokan Hall – I think you were MC and mentioned my name – thanks for that
I was with Bob Asselin and Gordon McCuaig also Portage Crew from that era
Bob was the Junior Ranger Super at French Lake for a number of years – buildings were across the highway from Campsite entrance
Let me know what you think of the cabins

Bob Sullivan

James VanRoon

Question: why do they hop about so much, almost as though getting ready for flight?

I really enjoyed reading your site!

Cecilia

Carol shared your pictures with us. They are absolutely beautiful! You do a great job – the quality is great! Steve especially like the picture of Holy Trinity. It’s where he went to grade school and where our kids were all confirmed from.

Take care – hope to see you and Marie sometime soon.

Candi and Steve Bauer