| Geraldton - The Town with a Heart of Gold (By Glenn Kauth)  In 2001, Geraldton, a northwestern Ontario town of 2,224, joined several other towns, townships, and communities (including Beardmore, Nakina, Longlac, Caramat, Jellicoe, Orient Bay, and MacDiarmid) to become the Municipality of Greenstone (pop. 5,662). Geraldton was once a rich mining center. Though most of its gold mines are now closed, with one of the worlds richest amethyst reserves, along with beautiful lakes and outdoor scenery, this small community is still a town with many gems. Due to its location about three hours northeast of the nearest city, Thunder Bay (pop. 109,016), Geraldton is a thriving center for several small communities, and its economy is based on the forestry, service, and tourism industries.While residents enjoy Geraldton's comfortable small-town lifestyle, it is also the place to rough it in the outdoors. It offers excellent fishing, and although located along Kenogamisis Lake, many say the best fishing is on nearby Wild Goose Lake. Walleye, northern pike, perch, and whitefish are just some of the species found in the local waters. Practice your fishing skills so you can take part in the Geraldton Walleye Classic in July. If you haven't put in enough hours on the lake in the summer, there's always ice fishing in the winter. Geraldton also offers the sport of ice climbing, with excellent climbing to be had at nearby Orient Bay, where climbs reach heights of up to 90 metres (almost 300 feet). It's obvious that beauty is one of the hallmarks of Geraldton. That, plus good job opportunities, good recreational opportunities, and easy access to Thunder Bay make it a great place to live.
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