Gogama, Ontario

Gogama
Railstop and HBC store in Gogama
Gogama
Coordinates: 47°40′N 81°43′W / 47.667°N 81.717°W / 47.667; -81.717
Country	Canada
Province	Ontario
District	Sudbury
Established	1917
Government
• Type	local services board
• MP	Marc Serré (Liberal)
• MPP	France Gélinas (NDP)
Population (2011)
• Total	277
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
Postal code	P0M 1W0
Area code(s)	705

Gogama is a community located in the heart of Northeastern Ontario, situated on Lake Minisinakwa, it is 580 kilometres north of Toronto, 191 km north of Sudbury and 114 km south of Timmins. With a population of 277 people in the Canada 2011 Census, it boasts recreation, hunting and fishing that is unrivaled in this part of Ontario.

Gogama is on Highway 661, a short spur route which connects it to Highway 144. The community is accessible by car, bus (Ontario Northland), rail (VIA), and chartered float plane transport.

The community is counted as part of Sudbury, Unorganized, North Part in Canadian census data. It is not an incorporated municipality, but is administered by a local services board.

Gogama is an Ojibway word meaning "jumping fish", likely in reference to the many fish that abound the waters of Lake Miniskawa. A native trading post was established in the area in the early 18th century. From 1911 to 1914, the Canadian Northern Railway, was under construction through this area, now the CNR. Gogama was first settled in 1917 by Arthur L'Abbé. The post office was opened shortly after in 1919 and since, Gogama has relied heavily on the forestry industry although tourism is starting to benefit the hamlet as well.

During the era of railway construction, Gogama was likely a place of importance for the manufacture of Axe ties. However, following that period, maintaining and upgrading the railway required a constant supply of ties. The handmade axe ties were phased out and replaced with creosote treated ties. For the most part, this development followed World War I throughout Northern Ontario. At that same time, returning soldiers came to this area looking for work.