Ramore - Ontario Highway 11 Homepage

Ramore

Ramore is a quiet community about one minute east of Highway 11 on road 572. It is 15 kilometres south of Matheson and is made up of three streets (Fergus, Timmins, and one other street I forgot to write down.) Ramore, surprisingly, was the home of two air bases, part of the Mid-Canada and Pinetree Lines.

Church at sunset in Ramore Predominantly francophone, Ramore (and its cousin Holtyre) reminds me a bit of Val Gagné – small, quiet, clean, about 40 houses (probably more) – except with more agriculture. The area is surrounded by farms – some fallow, others still producing – which gives the area a relaxed, summer feel and some pretty fields and old barns. (And for some reason, there’s a house with a Canada flag and a Barbados flag.)

Ramore

Language:	Largely French
Main industry:	...forestry, some farming...?
Famous for:	Old radar base
Google map:	Click here
Town links:
Photo - Ramore Radar Base
Photos - Pinetree Line Base Visit 2002

Ramore was a railway town, forestry centre, and agricultural area, but in 1950, the Americans came to town and built a Pinetree Line radar station – not by accident. The mountain the radar site was located is a high-point in the region. The mountain next to it on the west side of the highway is called Kempis Mountain. Both are prehistoric volcanoes that are long dead. Near the Radar Base, is an airstrip – not widely known. Most still think that the military built it, but that is not so. The airfield was built in the 1930’s as a make-work program during the Great Depression. It was part of some sort of larger aerial mapping program. The strip was built, but WWII came along. Not sure how much use it really got, until the Air Base was built, nearby.

The Air Base played a large role in the area, both socially and economically, from Kirkland Lake to Matheson. In 1962, the Americans turned the base over to the Canadians. It was part of a deal that resulted due to the cancellation of the famed Avro Arrow Program. Canada would “lease” 66 F-101 Voodoos and take over 12 Pinetree Radar Bases – this included Ramore. Supposedly due to budget cuts and changing technology, the Base was closed in 1974. A similar base at Lowther was dismantled in 1984.

Interestingly, up until the mid-60’s, Kempus Mountain had a small “air base detachment” separate from the Ramore base. This is because, Kempus Mountain was part of the Mid-Canada radar system. Kempus was a relay station for the Mid-Canada line (which was a different line of radar stations than the Pinetree line), which operated generally around the 60th parallel. This is one of the few places in Canada where the Mid-Canada Line and Pinetree Lines met. As the site of two former air bases, one can say, that Ramore had a very strong connection to the Cold War. Today, one of the bases lay abandoned and some people still explore it, however it is not recommended due to the physical hazards and the potential of running into harmful contaminants.

Little shrine beside the church in Ramore South of Ramore on Highway 11 is the Ramore Flea Market. Albeit small, this is a real flea The Ramore Fleat Market is for sale for only $150 000 - comes with 28 seat restaurant market, not like the North Cobalt Flea Market. I haven’t had a chance to look around, but it’s worth a stop since it’s right on Highway 11. About a year after I visited Ramore for the first time, I learned that the flea market was for sale - for around 200 000$ I think - but I'm not sure what is the case right now.

Raymore also hosts a Country and Western Festival every September, complete with concerts, demonstrations, and competitions. I don’t know if there is a midway.

Ramore has a church, a baseball diamond, a small library, a caisse, and Bouchard’s Grocery and LCBO outlet, which is more like a convenience store with food. Just south of the town is Rolly’s Motel and Home Cooked Meals, which has rooms and food but no gas. There are blueberry stands both north and south of Ramore, as well as a family that sells vegetables from a stall.

Thanks to Dwight for the info and for pointing me towards the photos of the radar base.

		Holtyre -

		- RAMORE -

		Wavell

Back to map

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Post your experiences in Ramore below.

VISITOR COMMENTS

— Lynne from Stoney Creek, ON on 2008-07-15 15:55:30

I lived in Ramore for 8 years. I still try to go visit every year and see family. It's a great Town with lots of friendly residents. A great place to vacation and get outside!

— ron from Hope, B.C. on 2008-12-25 04:19:04

I was a radar tech posted to Ramore in 1969-1970. Though I was (and am) totally anglophone, the local residents were wonderful to me. My buddy and I hung out a lot at Rolly's (he dated the daughter of an owner). Even after all these years, I have nothing but fond memories of both Ramore and Holtyre and their residents.

— Jean_Marie Robillard from Welland Ontario on 2008-12-25 21:43:44

I was resident of Ramore with my family. I born in Matheson Ont. I still cousin who still live there.My Father name is Julien his father whose to live near toward the army base. One of my uncle who to operate a Mills saw. Some of his use to work at the Mills saw locate next to the Fall

— Denise F. Goulet from Iroquois Falls, ON on 2009-02-03 15:05:11

I lived in Ramore from grades 7 through 12. I've made a lot of loyal friends there. I remember when we used to go at the Lac Amode close to the old army base. Someone also opened a restaurant close to there in the late '60's or early '70. Close to our house, there was a rocky mountain and a mill that used to run with the water current. It was amazing! These memories will always stay with me.

— Edmund from Kirkland Lake on 2009-02-06 03:23:35

Good job on the info, but a few corrections have to be made. Ramore is the name of a French Canadian prospector named Louie Ramore. I don\'t remember why the postal service chose that name. The streets which run east to west are: (starting from south to North) Bastien, Saint Joseph, Knox,Denning, Ennis then Hwy 572. The avenues run from north to south:(east to west) Ferguson Avenue which is part the original Hwy 11, Timmins Ave. and McIntyre Ave. The last two bearing the names of famous prospectors who propected in Kirkland Lake and the Timmins area. Holtyre bears part of Sandy McIntyre\'s name, the other part is Hol for Hollinger. As for the radar station, not known to many, there was a power plant by lake Andrews on Watabeag Rd near Matheson. Something else of interest and also little known to many is that a good number of professional people began their practices in Ramore before going to Kirkland Lake and Timmins: Judge St-Aubin and Doctor Leblond, just to name a few. Like I said your article is very informative and well done. Merci! Thank You!

— Edmund from Kirkland Lake on 2009-02-06 03:39:13

Forgot to mention up to about the 1940s, some of the sawmills still operated,water operated mills were the Saint Aubin Sawmill on the Black River between the village and the radar station and the Desjardins mill on Wildgoose creek. The Robillard's may also have had mill then too. The village also had a general store, a blacksmith shop and a regional post office. The village once boasted a dairy, a bakery and a train station.

— Editor from Ontario on 2009-02-06 14:57:43

Thanks for the info Edmund.

— Lucie (Dumas) Moffat from Ramore on 2009-02-07 02:52:09

I lived in Ramore since I was 3 years old .I have lots of great memories from picking shewed gum on the gravel road lol to when the roads got pave , thebuilding of the gym at scool , getting married in Ramore , Ramore is a great place to be and a great place to retier.

— Claudette Rondeau from Bear Island, Ont. on 2009-02-07 03:35:51

I lived in Ramore from the age of 13 to 18 by the old saw mill on Rosario Rainville's old farm. I also made friends there. I became the 1st princess of the winter carnaval (fantastic), I sang at the church, attended girl guides, spanish class, judo and as a teenager we used to go party at the hanger of the air strip...we weren't the only ones either. I went on an adventure at the top of the mountain. It is breathtaking. I have many fond memories there. Hi to everyone that reads this and lived there.

— Mary Ann Desjardins from Timmins ON on 2009-02-16 03:53:52

I was born and raised in Ramore. Left after my high school years. Still going every chance I get to visit my parents and some aunts and uncles. My grandparents from both sides of the family were there. Half of Ramore is related if not more. My grandmother worked at the base when it was opened and she still talks about those days. She worked in the kitchen. The woodmill is still operated by my dad's cousin (Desjardins). That mill is still a great site to see. My grandparents Desjardins lived across that bridge when my father was just a little lad until years after he got married. There is lots of great memories from Ramore that I will never forget and great friends also that have moved away. Lots of great teachers were in the Ramore school. My grandfather was the janitor at that school when I was in the younger grades. Hi too everyone that used to live there and still are.

— Ray Montgomery from Kakabeka Falls, ON. on 2009-02-17 14:20:21

To the Moderator: I grew up in the Kelso area and would appreciate if Lucie (Dumas) Moffat could email me privately.

— Raymond Ryan from Owen Sound On on 2009-02-17 15:01:50

I too was born in Ramore Ontario. I was born in our house in 1947 not far from where the only store is today. I have fond memories of the town, St.Terese school and St Joseph\\\'s churh, the General store(Boileau\\\'s),Post office(Geoffroy\\\'s), the barber shop,(MR.Boucher)and of course the very active Railway Station for the Ontario Norhtland train to bring in and out supplies to all communities..... we had nice winter carnivals when I became a young teenager or even before that. My father was a carpenter but never turned a job down whenever he was laid off. He worked the guard house at the Kempis mountain on weekends and I use to go with him and hunt partridges in the surrounding forest, I was 14 by then,1961. I also remember the Lac a Mud and swimming to the island on that lake. That island belonged to the mayor of town back then, or at least he had a cottage on it and his name was George Geofroy. I could be telling stories forever about my chilhood there but people would get tired of reading a already too long story. I\\\'ll say one more thing about Waterbag, my mother and a few other women from Ramore did a lot of cooking for the army and I remember her saying that it was a highly classified area and they needed special passes to get through to there jobs. Hello to anyone who reads this and remember me! Ray!

— Rick Lean from Hanover, ON on 2009-03-08 18:04:31

I was stationed at Ramore from Jan '65 to Jul '71. Worked at the GATR site, which was located just off the Watabeag road. Our #2 son was born in Kirkland Lake, #3 son born in Matheson, and daughter also born in Matheson. Loved our time there and hated to leave. We have visited several times since then, and would love to know if there are any campgrounds close.

— Edmund from Kirkland Lake on 2009-04-03 23:42:05

To answer Rick Lean's question, the closest campground to Ramore is Swan Lake about a mile north of the Artic Watershed sign near Sesekinika. Between Ramore and Kirkland Lake.

— Susan Errington from montreal quebec on 2009-06-20 18:40:54

I lived on the base from 1964 to 69 in trailer #10. My dad was Doug errington. I went to school in Holtyre and in Matheson. I loved living there. Was always in the bush ,picking blue berries and swimming in mud lake with the bloodsuckers. We used to swim to the island. I used to diliver the newspaper, Will always remember our winter carnivals with the ise sculpters and the tobagann runs out onto the lake. Mt dad helped build the clubhouse made out of logs at the top of the hill going to the lake. Rick lean, I think I used to babysit your kids, when I lived there. Did you live in trailer 16 or 17 beside the sullivan"s? anyway I had a great time living there, we moved to edmonton after that. That was a culture shock. Anybody can get back to me that lived there at that time.

— Diane Moffat from Ramore on 2009-06-22 17:17:20

I have lived in Ramore most of my life. My Dad worked at the radar base until its closing. My family is still in Ramore, and I am in Beijing for a year, to teach English, but still plan to go back to Ramore. It\'s a good little town. Lots of very good memories....

— Daniel Champagne from Georgetown on 2009-07-10 16:27:16

My father's family is from Ramore. I have fond childhood memories of visiting my grandmother in Ramore.

— Diane Champagne-Vaughan from Ottawa, Ontario on 2009-07-14 00:58:18

Saluts les Ramorois, les Ramoroises! Je suis, Diane, la tante de Daniel, de Georgetown, Ontario. Son père était Roland Champagne qui lui, comme moi, a grandi à Ramore dans sa jeunesse. Roland allait, très tôt le matin, à un très jeune âge, sur son sleigh tiré par son chien, (possible à cause de sa petite taille), servir la messe pour le Père Leduc, un des curés fondateurs de l'époque, celui-là même qui avait marié mes parents, Lucien Champagne & Lucie Leduc. Moi, plus tard, en 8ième année,(1960-61),j'aimais aller chanter la messe en grégorien pour le Père Perron, à l'Eglise ST-LAURENT de Ramore. Quels souvenirs! Marie-Marthe Champagne ancienne sacristine à l'époque, vit encore à Ottawa et a maintenant 87 ans.Malheureusement, sa mémoire l'a pas mal laissée. Roberte, par ailleurs,femme de Georges Geoffroy, vit aussi à Ottawa et a 85 ans. Avec celle-ci, ainsi que les familles de Roger Champagne, Thérèse Champagne-Colyer et Marie-Paule Champagne-Szepesi, Jean Geoffroy et Marie Geoffroy, on aime remémorer nos meilleurs souvenirs de Ramore. Quelle chance on a eu de vivre en campagne, dans la saine nature. La rue Champagne porte bien son nom car mes ancêtres, dont mon grand père Télesphore, père de Lucien Champagne, les fils et filles de celui-ci, y ont vécu et grandi nombre d'années. De ma famille immédiate, la dernière à partir de Ramore, il y a déjà quelques années, fut Madame Roberte Champagne-Geoffroy qui avait participé à l'organisation du 75ième anniversaire de la paroisse St-Laurent. Longue vie aux Ramorois & Ramoroises!

— r.a.wilson from iroquois falls,ontario on 2009-09-08 00:52:42

was born and raised in matheson.actually looking to see if someone could put me in contact with ron from hope.b.c or rick lean.my grandfather was a radar tech and was discharged in either '69 0r '70.not sure of year.your help would be greatly appreciated.thank you in advance

— LISE BENOIT BEDARD from huntsvilleon on 2009-12-01 21:20:38

to diane champage we use to walk to school together.i remember your whole familly. i still go to ramore once a year cause my brother jerome still lives there i also visit the cemetarysince i know everybody.hi to everybody that still remenber ramore

— John Harper from Stony Plain ab on 2010-02-01 13:08:12

I was wondering if any one remembers the Coughlins, not sure if spelled right, there was 2 families, Lloyd the father of one family was our scout master his 2 sons were Ron and Brian..I understand that Brian passed away at a young age. The other family was Keith and his sister Linda. I remember them coming to school in Holtyre along with the ones from the radar base..

— Marc Ryan from Embrun Ontario on 2010-02-12 04:51:16

Bonjour Ramore! On m'a demandé de rédiger un texte pour commémorer le 100ième anniversaire de l'Assemblée de la francophonie de l'Ontario. Voici un souvenir agréable d'une enfance heureuse dans le village. Né à Ramore en 1948, je suis le fils de Jos Ryan qui fut maire du Playfair TWP de 1950 à 1956 lorqu'on a déménagé à Kirkland Lake. Voici le texte: Les sous font les dollars. (soumis par Marc Ryan octobre 2009) J’avais 6 ans et d’après maman, j’étais précoce. Toutes les mamans ont de telles prétentions. Papa était maire du village. Donc le chef. Un géant capable de tout… membre de la commission de crédit de la caisse populaire Saint Laurent et membre du conseil d’administration du petit hôpital de Matheson où ma sœur est née. Il s’absentait souvent pour les bonnes raisons. « Apporte ton petit cochon. Viens avec moi, on va t’ouvrir un compte à la caisse. » Le petit cochon rose… une tire-lire cadeau de mémére lors de mon quatrième anniversaire… et qui s’alourdissait de quelques sous à chaque événement important : Noël, Pâques, la Toussaint coincée entre la Halloween et le Jour des morts et enfin mon anniversaire. Puis je gagnais quelques sous à chaque bonne action : corder les bûches de bois pour le poêle de cuisine, cueillir des fraises ou des bleuets dans les casseaux que l’on vidait dans des paniers. Tous les bons coups servaient de prétexte pour m’enrichir. Il m’arrivait parfois… en cachette… de dévisser la rondelle qui servait de nombril à ma tire-lire et d’essayer de compter cette imposante fortune. J’avais une affection particulière pour les sous blancs qui brillaient davantage et surtout les deux « silver dollars »… donnés généreusement par notre député provincial Wilfrid Spooner quand il s’arrêtait à la maison pour discuter de projets et de l’avenir du pays avec papa. En route vers le village, je tenais mon cochon avec beaucoup d’inquiétude, assis et grelottant dans le siège de la petite voiture familiale. Quand la voiture se réchauffait… nous étions rendus à destination et il fallait en sortir et traverser le banc de neige. Notre barbier Henri Boucher était aussi le secrétaire-trésorier de la caisse. Un homme très grand avec bedon imposant, des bras massifs et des mains osseuses pouvant frotter d’un geste majestueux le rasoir à lame sur une grande courroie de cuir attachée au bras de la chaise spéciale qui s’allongeait dans tous les sens. Deux touffes de cheveux coiffaient ses oreilles et une moustache abondante cachait sa lèvre supérieure. Je pensais que tous les barbiers ressemblaient à monsieur Boucher : pas de cheveux sur la tête et secrétaire-trésorier d’une caisse populaire. Papa se regardait dans le miroir et replaçait la vague dans sa crinière fraîchement taillée de la main habile du barbier sympathique. « Donne ton cochon… » et je m’installai sur les genoux de papa au moment où le barbier devenu banquier saisit mon petit cochon, dévissa le nombril, et le vida sur la table du secrétaire. Plusieurs colonnes de sous noirs furent déposées dans le tiroir-caisse.Puis j’ai du écouter un grand discours sur la coopération, l’entraide, l’épargne contre la pauvreté et le grand prophète Alphonse Desjardins de Lévis, Québec. Quand il s’aperçut que son discours m’ennuyait… il finit par conclure « On va ouvrir ton compte… trois dollars quarante sept sous. Il saisit un petit carnet neuf et inscrivit mon nom et le numéro de folio 174. Puis il nota la date du 4 avril 1954, le montant suivi des initiales HB dans la colonne de droite. Il inséra le carnet dans une pochette blanche sur laquelle marchait un petit bonhomme avec un parapluie qui le protégeait de tous les malheurs. Il revissa le nombril de ma tire-lire vide et me le rendit : « Continue à bûcher et à économiser. Un jour, tu vas devenir riche. Les sous font les dollars. »

— jackie moffat from ramore,ontario on 2010-02-20 03:14:04

i live in ramore,and love it.i find great for raising young kids.but as they older they don't really like it.

— Diane Moffat from Ramore on 2010-03-10 04:25:27

Hello John Harper..Yes, Brian, Ron, Carolyn and Terry Couglin are all of my cousins. If you would like more info just e-mail me. di-moffat@hotmail.com

— michel desjardins from longueuil p québec on 2010-03-12 17:58:26

j ai demeurer a ramore petit village tranquil ou tout le monde se connaissait.en 1974 je suis parti pour montreal,la province ou on engraisse le gouvernement.salut a tous le monde de ramore

— Kim Arcand from Ramore on 2010-03-24 11:16:53

I moved to ramore from Timmins about 3 years ago. I really didnt like it much at first but now i seem to enjoy it more and more as the days go by. I love the fresh air you breath in the summer, and the awesome thunderstorms you get to watch passing over matheson on my deck! Being able to give your children some freedom as they play is always a great thing. Having your neighbours always watch out for your house when your gone, and having everyone wave to you even though they dont know you is definatly some getting use to but makes your day! The drive to timmins isn't all that bad either! Glade to live in a little town where my son can grow up to live an awesome child hood!

— Suzanne Cadieux from Corbeil on 2010-05-19 23:48:23

I too, like many, was raised in Ramore until after high school..Great childhood memories..During the winter months, spent a lot of time ski-dooing,icefishing and also played broomball. And in the summer, again fishing was a great pass time as well as swimming at the lac a mode and of course baseball was a popular activity...especially during the time we had tournaments(Ramore team,Holtyre, Val Gagne, Matheson, and maybe more..cannot remember them all. But what I do remember and will never forget, are the people from Ramore, past and present,as that little town had and still has a great bunch of people. Salut a tout le monde de Ramore!!!Hi everyone!!

— Betty Storey Taillon (Landry) from Brampton on 2010-06-24 04:21:34

I lived in Ramore from 1980 to 1990. I was good friends with RoseMarie (Moffat) Guillemette. Most of the town was related to each other one way or another. I enjoyed my time there, and hope Rosemarie is doing well.

— Lise Charette-McKay from Sudbury Ontario on 2010-07-25 18:41:19

I had my g-grandparents that lived in Ramore their names were Florentine Champagne married to Charles Rondeau.They had children and some moved north to Hearst and some stayed there...i believe one of my uncles married an Allarie girl from Holtyre or Timmins his name was Armand...if anyone has any info on this family they can contact me via e-mail..i believe they had a sheep farm...puffer53@hotmail.com thanks

— Alfred Young from Shumacher On on 2010-08-30 01:29:06

HI' I was just righting to you to ask you about the abounded home that I had seen out there and would like to now who awn's them I think I was on Lave Mountain rd. if on one owned them can i get the rights to salvage the scrap metals that might be around there. ps: Hope to here from you soon Thank Alfred young

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