User:Vidioman/Simpson-Ogden

Simpson-Ogden is a neighbourhood in the Fort William portion of the Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. It is one of the oldest neighbourhoods west of Sault Ste Marie, dating back to the 1870s. It is centered along Simpson Street, Fort William's original central business district, and includes the residential areas east of May Street and south of the Neebing-McIntyre Floodway, and the industrial areas west of the CP Rail mainline and the Kaministiquia River.



Simpson Ogden is located in McKeller Ward. It was chosen by the United Way to participate in its Action for Neighbourhood Change initiative, which ran from 2005 to 2007, and worked with local residents and community groups to create neighbourhood-based solutions for long term development and renewal.

The neighbourhood is home to Minnesota Park, which is the location of Widnall Pool. Education is provided by Ogden Community and St. Jude Catholic Schools, which are located on Ogden Street in the northern part of the neighbourhood.

Name


Simpson-Ogden gets its name from two streets located in the neighbourhood. Simpson Street, the main commercial strip, was for Sir George Simpson (1787–1860), governor of the Hudson Bay Company from 1826–1860, whose decisions greatly affected the fate of the fur trading post Fort William; and Peter Skene Ogden, (1790–1854), who became the chief trader of the Hudson Bay Company at Snake River 1823–1830. Many other streets in the neighbourhood are named after key figures in the history of the Hudson Bay Company.

History
It is the second oldest residential neighbourhood in Thunder Bay, and Simpson Street was developed as the area's first business district.

Demographics


Simpson-Ogden is primarily a residential neighbourhood, home to approximately 3,560 people. Many of the dwellings are small single family homes or duplexes, while the neighbourhoods larger homes have been converted to apartments. Most homes in Simpson-Ogden were built before 1946. Some houses are vacant and boarded up, which draws criminal activities and gives the neighbourhood an unsightly appearance. Until recently, the neighbourhood was the location of a Hell's Angels club house.

The neighbourhood has 3,560 people and covers 1.1 km² (0.4 sq mi), giving it a population density of about 3,240/km2 (8,900/sq mi), making it one of the densest neighbourhoods in Thunder Bay. The median age is approximately 39.2, The neighbourhood is mainly populated by people of European descent, with a large and growing aboriginal community.

The community has a lower than average income. Low income levels in Simpson-Ogden range from 16.3% in the north end to almost 36% in the south, compared to the regional average of only 11.4 per cent.

Economy


Simpson Street is the oldest business district in the Thunder Bay area, but has been in decline for many years. While it hosts a variety of businesses, many vacant storefronts line the street. The Simpson Ogden Business Improvement Association (BIA) was formed in YEAR, and has attempted to draw new businesses to the neighbourhood by hanging flower baskets, planting trees and placing benches, but the unkempt appearance of many vacant storefronts has been a deterrent.

industry - emphasis on HBC's and CP rail's contributions to the area

Culture


The Simpson-Ogden neighbourhood was largely populated by immigrants from Eastern Europe, most notably the Ukrainians. The neighbourhood is home to the East Fort William Prosvita Society and the Ukrainian Credit Union, and was once the home to the Ukrainian Labour Temple. The neighbourhood also has a large Polish presence, centered around the ''Polish hall (find out name). FIND MORE.'' The lower part of the neighbourhood is heavily populated by aboriginals. (mention moonlight walk, etc.) Community groups include the Action for Neighbourhood Change, the Simpson-Ogden Business Improvement Association'', etc. FIND MORE. ''

Summer parks events, etc. community newsletter, Evergreen

Architecture


Simpson-Ogden is home to some of the cities oldest buildings, including its first duplexes. Simpson Street is lined with one to three storey buildings, with the street level being retail and the levels above being apartments. The tallest building in the neighbourhood is the four storey Chapples Warehouse, located at the corner of Simpson and Finlayson.