Sudbury's story, told by LU geography prof

“If you don't write things down, a lot of history gets lost.”

That's the last thing Oiva Saarinen wants to see happen. He cares about the city he calls home, and took an active role in contributing to it by recording the early years.

From Meteorite Impact to Constellation City: A Historical Geography of Greater Sudbury chronicles the human and physical environment of the city past and present, presenting “the big picture.”

“It gives understanding to what you see with your eyes all around you,” Saarinen.

Nearly 400 pages long, the reference guide is the result of a decade of data collection, and a lifetime of ideas. Saarinen jokes it began Aug. 3, 1937, “When I first saw the light of day at St. Joe's Hospital.” As a lifelong Sudburian, Saarinen said he was able to bring a genuinely hometown approach to the writing process.

“We grew up with the black rocks,” he said. “To me, this was normal.

“It's nice to go back and reflect what it was like. The community has changed so drastically.”

Not only is he passionate about the city, he is knowledge about the topic. Saarinen spent his professional life as a geography professor at Laurentian University. Now retired, the book is his way of using his resources for greater good.

“The community has given me a lot,” he said. “I had (to take) the opportunity to give something back. I thought it was a moral imperative.”

He said anyone with a desire to learn about the growth of Sudbury — “People who are interested in the development of the community” should enjoy the read.

“I think people underestimate the intellectual curiosity of a community,” he said.

And there is certainly lots to absorb about Sudbury, from its physical landscape that has been well-documented over the years, from lines on a map to the way the city looked, to the people that have contributed to shaping the community.

Saarinen will be speaking from the pages of his book May 25 at the Laamanen Room at Science North at 10 a.m. The official book launch continues throughout the day until 2 p.m. The community is invited to hear his story, pick up copies of the book and simply chat about Sudbury throughout the day. For those who can't make the launch, additional copies of From Meteorite Impact to Constellation City: A Historical Geography of Greater Sudbury will be available from Science North, Dynamic Earth, Laurentian University, Chapters and Leinala's Bakery.