The first settler, Stephen Augustin de la Morandiere, cast his tent on our shore on June 28, 1820.
Father Jean Baptiste Proulx was the first priest to celebrate Mass in 1834.
The original name of our village was "Shebahonaning." This is an Ojibwa name meaning "canoe channel" or "canoe passage."
Shebahonaning was changed to Killarney in 1882 according to many reports, although the first postal stamp from Ottawa bears both Shebahonaning and Killarney in 1854.
In 1866, the first west lighthouse was built and in the following year was put into operation.
Hydro came to Killarney on November 7, 1951.
In 1920, the residents began agitating for a highway outlet. Construction commenced in 1952. Completion was in 1962.
Killarney is 13 years older than Wikwemikong and 18 years older than Manitowaning.
Bell Telephone established a dial system in town in 1966.
In 1948, regular air service commenced between Sudbury and Killarney and points on the Manitoulin Island.
From Hydro News Vol. 38 No. 12, December 1951.
The first one-room public school in Killarney opened in December of 1876 with 45 students and one teacher. This building was replaced by a new school in 1889. In 1937, it was transferred to the Sudbury R.C.S.S. Board and renamed St. Joseph’s School. By this time, the school had grown to two classrooms, with classes up to grade 10.
St. Joseph’s is now in its third location. This building on St. Paul Street was officially opened on May 19th, 1977, offering classes from Junior Kindergarten to grade eight.
Return to St. Joseph School Home Page. 