Origins - traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg people of Treaty 3

1680’s - early European explorers, primarily French-Canadian fur traders and explorers showed up in the area

1732 – explorer LaVerendrye documents the area

1880’s - the first permanent European settlement in the Rainy River region was established

1894 – lumber mills established, and a shack town emerges (known as Beaver Mills)

1900 – 1930 – population growth – more white settlers arrive in the region.

1900 – railway comes through region

1901 – work begins to establish a railway station/roundhouse

1903 – CN Hotel constructed

1904 – Rainy River is officially incorporated and becomes the administrative centre for the region.

1904 – work begins on Alexandria School

1906 – Alexandria School opens

1908 – public sewer system installed

1908 – NFL Legend Bronko Nagurski is born in Rainy River

1909 – waterworks intake installed

1910 – Gazette newspaper sold to new owners

1910 – Great Fire of 1910 affects both sides of the border

1911 – first post office built

1912 - Rainy River Lumber Company moves its mills to Fort Frances taking much of the population with it

1917 – cement sidewalks emerge

1918 – CN Station Constructed

1918 – Spanish Flu Pandemic

1919 – Rainy River Branch of the “Great War Veterans” established

1919 – town takes over electric light plant

1920 – the town establishes a telephone system

1920 – plans underway for a community centre

1923 – radio fever growing in town – many installing wireless receiving sets

1925 – Rainy River Outpost Hospital purchased by the Women’s Institute

1926 – Official opening of the 13 bed Red Cross hospital

1927 – Oddfellows Hall destroyed by fire

1927 – Rainy River Branch No. 54 of the Royal Canadian Legion becomes a sanctioned charter.

1927 – oil speculation – The Pine River Development Company

1930 – first meeting to discuss building a toll bridge between Baudette, MN and Rainy River, ON

1932 – Chamber of Commerce organized

1933 – farmer’s market opens in Rainy River

1937 – height of Polio pandemic

1938 – new post office opened after old one destroyed by fire

1941 – typhoid and measles outbreak

1941 – another attempt made to find oil in Rainy River

1950s – decline in railway jobs

1950 – worst flooding since 1916

1950 – plans begin for a new elementary school/high school

1951 – Catholic Church destroyed by fire 

1951 – “Great War Veterans” renamed The Major Hughes Branch No. 54 or the Royal Canadian Legion

1951 – opening of Rainy River Red Cross Hospital

1952 – wading pool at the park nears completion

1953 – grand opening of the Community Centre

1956 – first community library opened at the community centre

1958 – 4008 steam engine makes her last run

1958 – official opening of the three-sheet curling rink

1959 – official opening of the new Rainy River High School

1959 – work started on new customs building

1960s – Rainy River Boat company in operation

1960 – Steam Engine No. 4008 donated to the town.

1960 – International bridge officially open to traffic.

1962 – Work on indoor arena started

1963 – TV services become available

1964 – official opening of the skating arena

1965 – Canada’s new maple leaf flag raised at Canada Customs

1966 – Snowstorm of the century hits the area

1966 – Medical Clinic established in basement of the Red Cross Hospital

1967 – OPP take over law enforcement

1968 – Arctic Cat Apparel establishes a garment factory in Rainy River

1971 – In September the Riverview Elementary School opens its doors to students

1972 – Alexandria School demolished

1974 – Riverview Senior Citizen Complex opens

1976 – Library relocates to corner of Fourth St. and Mill Avenue

1978 – Heritage House officially opens

1980 – New sewage and water treatment plant comes online

1982 – Rainy River Legion purchases the former Beaver Lumber building on Main St. and openes its club there

1984 – Council starts a hospital building fund with a $1,000 contribution

1985 – Rainy River receives approval to add an extended care wing onto the existing hospital

1986 – Construction begins on new CN Bunkhouse

1988 – First ever Railroad Daze Celebration

1989 – International Bridge goes toll free

1989 – Roadside Restaurant destroyed by fire

1990s – Brand new hospital with long term care beds opens

1990s - The 4008 moves to a new central location just west of the CNR station – a baggage car and caboose become the railway museum. Credit Union built on the corner of Third and Hwy. 11 (first ATM machine brought to Rainy River)

1994 – Hannam Park reopens after a $1.2 million facelift

1995 – First annual Giant Pumpkin Festival takes place

1995 – Beaver Mills and Lowes Furniture hold grand openings

1996 – Last CNR train changes crews in Rainy River. Crews will now change in Fort Frances (trains no longer to stop in Rainy River)

1996 – Yonge Street sign dedicated in Rainy River to celebrate 200th Anniversary.

1997 – Gaiety Theater collapses under weight of snow

1999 – Grand opening of new hospital

1999 – Baudette and Rainy River merge minor hockey programs

1999 – First ever Rainy River Walleye Tournament

2000 – Cellular services arrive

2001 – 911 phone services begin on December 11th 

2001-2002 – Major flooding affects the community 

2002 – New state of the art police station opens in Rainy River

2003 – Air ambulance landing pad constructed

2004 – Rainy River turns 100 - Millie the Beaver gets her name and a statue erected

2004 – First sections of the 1901 rail bridge removed and replaced – ribbon cutting/official opening in November

2005 – High speed internet comes to town

2007 – Memorial Gun for veterans placed at the Rainy River Legion Cenotaph

2008 – Fitness Centre opens at the Community Centre

2009 – Community Garden opens in Rainy River

2010 – First Relay for Life is a major success – receives national recognition

2012 – Flooding hits the region again

2016 – Rainy River Record ceases publication

2020 – Covid-19 Pandemic – border restrictions/lockdowns

2022 – Rainy River Public Library closes as it searches for new facility

2023 – Drought conditions and forest fires threaten the area

2023 – Construction begins on a new K-12 School

2024 – 120th Anniversary and School Reunion