Thunder Bay Tourist Pagoda

The Thunder Bay Tourist Pagoda is an octagonal brick structure with a broad roof, wooden trim, and a domed cupola that rises like a pavilion at a central downtown location. The whole building retains its original character as an information center for arriving travelers.

Built in 1909 by Port Arthur city officials, this structure was designed to serve travelers arriving by transcontinental railroads and passenger ships at nearby docks. The design emerged from a competition won by local architect H. Russell Halton.

The structure blends Asian design features with local symbols, such as carved beaver and maple leaf details above the entrance, reflecting connections between distant trade routes and Canadian identity.

The pagoda sits on Red River Road next to Water Street in downtown Thunder Bay and is easy to reach. The area is walkable and the location offers information about the city and surroundings.

The structure emerged from an architectural competition, making it a product of an open design process. This competitive approach was unusual for public buildings of this era and scale.

Location: Thunder Bay

GPS coordinates: 48.43460,-89.21800

Latest update: December 14, 2025 17:02