The McKellar family is closely associated with Fort William's emergence from fur trade post to national harbour. After their arrival in 1863, Captain Duncan McKellar and his sons discovered and opened the district's first silver mines, thereby initiating the mining boom of the 1860s and 1870s. Although their mining activity helped give The Landing its start as a harbour facility, the McKellars promoted commercial development of the Kaministikwia, where they had settled and acquired extensive land holdings. Enormously influential, the McKellar brothers became leaders in civic affairs and advocates of the public works needed to make the Kaministikwia River navigable by the largest lake vessels. With Fort William's incorporation as a town in 1892, John became its first mayor, holding the office for six years. Mining engineer, geologist and scholar, Peter, founded the town's first newspaper, the hand-written Perambulator. He also served as councillor for the Municipality of Shuniah (which included both communities before their incorporation as towns, as well as surrounding townships), and founded the Thunder Bay Historical Society. Another brother, Donald, served on the Fort William Council.
With the exception of three people, this photograph shows members of the McKellar family and their spouses. Donald is third from the left and Peter is second from the right.
