Rye (ghost town)

As you venture Northwards along the Nipissing Colonization Road, you will eventually come to the one time town of Rye. In 1876 the White Pine Lumber Company built a road through Lount Township, from Bummer(a)s Roost to the Eagle Lake Road.

This town once had a post office, four hotels, church, store, blacksmith shop and school. A rare windmill also stands to this day.

Most of the settlers to Rye were of German descent and spoke no English. In time they picked up English from their surrounding communities.

The school (SS #1 Lount), built in 1884 out of logs was replaced in 1914 and still stands today. There is no floor to it, only earth. It is believed that the Maw family wanted one built and Alfred Russell (see Bummer(a)s Roost) helped construct it. A dozen double desks as well as a teacher(a)s desk were donated by Mrs. Rye from Strong Township. For this reason the school was named Rye School and in time, the town took the same name. Students came from nearby Mecunoma (Bummer(a)s Roost). By 1893 there were 26 students.

Behind the school was a meca mine however there was not enough meca to use in the construction of glass.

The post office was operated by William Parks from 1878 to 1892, William Haufschield from his house until 1942 and finally it moved to the Brunner home until 1959 . From there Bernice Dahns operated it until its closing in 1964.

Rye contained an Evangelical Church built in 1894. Mass was given by a Reverand James Geddes. It was situated next to Mr. Haufschild(a)s store and post office.

Location: The Northern end of the Nipissing Road/Alsace Road. Take Eagle Lake Road to get to the Rye Road and the settlement.