While this site has participated in Doors Open Ontario in the past, it is not part of the current season’s program. Please check the Home page for this year’s events and participating sites.

Thunder Bay Tourist Pagodain-person Doors Open Thunder Bay

  • In-person
  • Full wheelchair access
  • National Historic Site (Canada)
  • Self-guided tours available
  • Site is protected by the Ontario Heritage Trust
  • Washrooms
Thunder Bay Tourist Pagoda

Affectionately known locally as the Pagoda, this structure was a boosterism project created as a means to promote Port Arthur’s merits as a social, business and economic hub. Its unique design was selected through a contest won by local architect H. Russell Halton. Still operational, it is known to be the longest continuously operating tourism information bureau in Canada.

Welcome to Canada’s oldest continuously operating tourist information bureau! Many communities participated in the trend of civic boosterism in the early 1900s, promoting their town to tourists and businesses, though few constructed purpose-built structures such as the Pagoda. In 1908, a design competition was organized by the Industrial Commission asking for submissions that were “striking in nature” that would attract people’s attention. Based on the winning design by local architect Harry Russell Halton, the Pagoda was constructed in 1909 to demonstrate Port Arthur’s merits as a social, business and economic hub. The octagonal pagoda is an eclectic design, combining eastern and western styles to symbolize Port Arthur itself, where the east of Canada meets the west. Many Thunder Bay locals have fond memories of the polka dots painted on the roof of the Pagoda, done as a surprise by the Port Arthur Jaycees (Junior Chamber of Commerce) in 1961 to kick off Visitor’s Week (polka dots decorated the roof into the 1980s). Owned by the City of Thunder Bay and operated by Tourism Thunder Bay, the Pagoda is a designated heritage property and a National Historic Site. The Ontario Heritage Trust holds a conservation easement on the property.

Contact info

170 Red River Road
Thunder Bay, Ontario

https://www.visitthunderbay.com/en/index.aspx

Architecture

Year built: 1909
Building type:Historical landmark
Architect: H. Russell Halton
Architectural style:Octagon

Dates/hours open

Sep 10, 10:00am - Sep 10, 04:00pm

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.