Hearst

Hearst has a long tradition of being a lumber town. The major employers include a Tembec hard and soft wood facility, and a plywood mill operated by Columbia Forest Products.

• Gilles Gagnon Visitor Information Centre

  phone: +1 705-372-2838
  address: 523 Route 11 Hwy E
  The centre’s grounds also feature a typical wildlife scene in the forests of northern Ontario, a playground for children and picnic tables.

History

The town was built because of the construction of the National Transcontinental Railway in 1913. Established as a divisional point, Hearst is 208 km west of Cochrane and 201 km east of the divisional point of Grant. There is some historical ambiguity with the name Grant as the original site of Hearst was also called Grant and was changed to Hearst in 1911.
Hearst was named to honour William Howard Hearst, then Ontario Minister of Forests and Mines and later Premier of Ontario. It was incorporated in 1922. Many settlers to the town came from the province of Quebec. Many also came from Europe and other regions in Canada and the USA.

By car

Highway 11 runs northwest from North Bay as a northern alternate route in the Trans-Canada Highway system; this route was extended from Hearst through Geraldton to Nipigon in 1943, as a final gravel link which enabled the first complete trip across Canada by motorcar in 1946. This road is now a two-lane paved provincial highway.

By bus

Ontario Northland bus services provide daily local service to Cochrane.

By snowmobile

OFSC trails connect snowmobilers to various Northern Ontario communities. A trail permit is required to ride on the trails.

By plane

Charter flights (or your own aircraft) only; (YHF) does not have scheduled service.

• 815 Gallery

  phone: +1 705-362-4900
  address: 75, 9th St
  Gallery showcasing local artists.

• La Maison Verte

  phone: +1 705-362-7040
  address: 7 Girard Road
  non-profit association of women, whose mandate is to set up business projects to create jobs for women. Its greenhouses grow nine million seedlings per year for reforestation for three main customers: Hearst Forest Management, Nagagami SFL and Tembec. Its gifts corner and garden is open M-F 10AM-5:30PM and Sa 10AM-4PM.

• The Rock Museum

• Moose and Wolves statue

• Hearst Heritage Sawmill

  phone: +1 705-372-2835
  address: 830 Front Street

• Hearst Ecomuseum

  phone: +1 705-372-2844
  address: 53 9th Street
  Exhibitions based on the day-to-day life of the people of Hearst and area, such as one dedicated to aprons.

Local outdoor activities include fishing, hunting, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, camping, swimming, canoeing, and golf.

• Fushimi Lake Provincial Park

  address: North of Highway 11
  Fishing, swimming, camping. RV, tent or trailer sites, or backcountry sites on your own island. Two hiking trails (1 km and 7 km).

• Downtown shops along Front Street

• Boulangerie Pâtisserie chez Coco

  phone: +1 705-362-7400
  address: 817 George St.

• Fresh Off the Block

  phone: +1 705-362-4517
  address: 822 Front St.

• John's Restaurant

  phone: +1 705-372-1050
  address: 826 George St.
  Greek, Canadian, & Italian cuisine.

• King's Cafe

  phone: +1 705-362-4432
  address: 824 George St.
  Canadian and Canadian-Chinese cuisine.

• Pizza Place

  phone: +1 705-362-7005
  address: 1413 Front St.
  Pizzeria bar & grill.
• Rendez-vous Le Companion - Fine dining

• Waverley Bandstand

  phone: +1 705-362-4100
  address: 931 Front St.

• Rheault Distillery

  phone: +1 705-362-8263
  address: 6 583 Hwy N
  A home-based artisan distillery making Loon Vodka, brandy, whiskey, dessert wines. Owners Marcel and Mireille Rheault will explain their business to you.

• Companion Hotel/Motel

  phone: +1 705-362-4304
  address: 930 Front St.
  Licensed dining room, lounge, sauna, and steam bath, hot tubs, high-speed Internet

• Queen's Motel

  phone: +1 705-362-4361
  address: 1004 Front St.
  Indoor swimming pool

• Villa Inn & Suites

  phone: +1 705-362-4331
  address: 1605 Highway 11
  Kitchenettes

• TravelInn Hearst

  phone: +1 705-362-4281
  address: 915 George Street
  Free WiFi, kitchenettes, steam bath

• Sous Mon Toit B&B

  address: 1300 Edward Street
  Your hostess, Mme. Janine Bourdon. Two comfortable rooms, shared bathroom, continental breakfast, quiet atmosphere in a residential area, located near the hospital, schools, and the fitness trail.

NorthernTel offers 4G HSPA+ (max 21 Mbps) and 1xRTT coverage in Hearst. An analogue cellular service (AMPS, band B) had been provided by Ontera, but that company's GSM footprint now covers Moosonee and Moose Factory only.

The next gas station westbound on Highway 11 is in Longlac, 208 km away. Fill your tank before leaving town.