Charles Cobbold Farr was an English-born entrepreneur, pioneer, writer, and community builder whose vision laid the foundation for the Town of Haileybury, Ontario. Born on May 29th, 1851, in Suffolk, England, Farr immigrated to Canada in 1871 in search of new opportunities. After several years of varied work, he joined the Hudson’s Bay Company, where his experience in the fur trade introduced him to the Lake Temiskaming region and its tremendous potential.

In 1889, Farr purchased land at what was then known as Humphrey’s Depot and established a settlement that he named Haileybury, in honor of the school he had attended in England. He published pamphlets encouraging families, farmers, and investors to move to the region. His efforts helped attract new residents long before the discovery of silver in nearby Cobalt transformed the area into one of Canada’s most significant mining districts. He established the Haileyburian newspaper, advocated for local infrastructure and civic improvements, and worked tirelessly to promote the prosperity of the growing town. Haileybury was incorporated in 1904 and became the judicial seat of the District of Temiskaming in 1912.

Charles Cobbold Farr passed away on November 25th, 1914, but his influence remains deeply woven into the history of Haileybury and the Temiskaming region.