Town of Mattawa, Ontario

Historic Figures Anahereo Champlain Pierre Radisson Designer: Clermont Duval (Mattawa, ON) Craftsman Garry Johnston

Built: 2002 Dimensions: Height each: 9 Feet (2.7 Metres) Construction Materials: Wood Location: "Anahero" and "Radisson" downtown, "Champlain" in front of Valois Motel.

Reason for Building:

To enhance the image of Main Street, Mattawa, Ontario. These are all famous people who have passed through Mattawa.

Additional Information:

Project of the Mattawa Chamber of Commerce. Mattawa rests at the junction of the Ottawa and Mattawa Rivers so most of the early explorers travelling to Western Canada passed through this area.

Every major explorer has walked through Mattawa including: Groseilliers, la Vérendrye, Fraser, Thompson, Mackenzie and Sir John Franklin. Mattawa was also home for Anahareo, Grey Owl's wife.

Throughout the year of 2002 the community plans to put up 10 nine foot wooden sculptures to commemorate Canadian heritage. Most will be set up in the downtown core. There will also be a 16 foot sculpture of Big Joe Mufferaw (Montferant) which will be located at Explorer's Point next to the museum.

Information Source: Lucie Desrochers of Mattawa Travel Information Centre, John Wright and http://www.mattawa.org/wsh/mdcoc/html/projects/mainstreetstatue.asp

Pictures Sources: John Wright