Chicago, 1936 — Colonel Robert R. McCormick, owner of the Chicago Tribune and New York Daily News, is ecstatic. Work is finally underway in the Comeau bay to build his new paper mill and develop the surrounding city! 

For over 20 years, he’s dreamt of seeing the timber reserves of the North Shore region turned into newsprint and thus lower his cost of supplies. A strong advocate for freedom of the press, he was prepared to invest heavily in order to remain competitive.

Since putting his plans in motion, he had encountered an ever-increasing number of obstacles. First of all, there was the war, in which McCormick had enlisted for the United States and earned his rank of colonel.

The stock market crash of 1929 and its economic repercussions had also delayed the project. Negotiations with the Quebec government regarding royalties and logging costs had likewise slowed down the process significantly. 

But in April 1936, the construction work could finally move forward. At long last, McCormick could start hiring workers from Franquelin and Shelter Bay to help build the paper mill and the extensive infrastructure needed for its operations: a camp for the workers, a modernized dock, and a road and railroad that would link them all.

His patience paid off. His ideal town was finally taking shape.