In 1882, John Ferguson decided that the north bay of Lake Nipissing was a promising spot for settlement. North Bay was incorporated as a town in 1891. The first mayor was John Bourke.
The town began to prosper due to the presence of three railway companies and a strong lumber industry. In 1919, John Ferguson was elected mayor of North Bay and continued to serve a mayor until 1922. North Bay was incorporated as a city in August 1925. In January 1968 the City of North Bay amalgamated with West Ferris and Widdifield townships.
North Bay, critically situated at the junctions of Highway 11 and the Trans-Canada Highway, remains a major transportation centre for Northern Ontario.