2. Amalgamation and the name Thunder Bay were both first suggested in 1907.

Unofficial talk of amalgamating Port Arthur and Fort William first began 63 years before it actually took place. In 1907, the same year both Port Arthur and Fort William received their incorporation as cities, a Toronto newspaper suggested amalgamation and asked readers for name suggestions for the combined cities. On the list then were among many others: Willport, Lakeport, Grainopolis and Thunder Bay. In 1910, a letter was submitted to the Port Arthur Council suggesting the name Portfort. By 1969, the decision to amalgamate had been made and the three official name choices on the ballot were Lakehead, The Lakehead and Thunder Bay. Imagine if we were known as Grainopolites or Portforters?