Sioux Lookout, Ontario
By L. J. WILLIAMS
H.B.C. Store, Sioux Lookout, Ont.
GRAHAM is one of the comparatively small number of H.B.C. “line” posts, i.e., fur trading establishments located close to railway transportation. Graham Post is on the Canadian National Railway at Sioux Lookout, a town of nearly one thousand people and a railroad and lumbering centre.
The name “Sioux Lookout” was taken from the high rocky hill just west of the town. Indian legends relate that this high hill was often used by wandering bands of Sioux warriors, who, ranging far from their Dakota prairies, watched with keen eyes from the top of this hill the narrow gorge from Pelican to Abraham’s Lake as they laid plans to ambush and exterminate the Indians of that district. A fire ranger’s observation tower now stands at the summit of the hill.
Sioux Lookout lies close by Pelican Lake, one of the chain of lakes comprising the original H.B.C. freight route from the Canadian Pacific Railway to inland posts to the northward–Lac Seul, Osnaburgh, Fort Hope and Cat Lake.
The staff of the Company’s present day post at Graham includes the post-manager, three clerks, a deliveryman, bookkeeper and junior office clerk. The Company’s business, in addition to fur trading, is derived from the population of Sioux Lookout and comprises the transient trade to and from the lumber camps located to the east and west of the town.
The wonderful waterways and remarkable scenic beauty of the country surrounding Sioux Lookout rival those of Minaki. Vacationers and camping parties in ever increasing numbers are going to Sioux Lookout every Summer, where nearly everybody has a motor boat or canoe to traverse the wondrous stretches of waterways with their miles and miles of beautiful bays and fine sandy beaches.
