The vast majority of land surrounding the route is precambrian Canadian Shield, with bedrock outcroppings, small lakes, muskeg, and boreal forest dominating the landscape.

Within Ear Falls, it crosses adjacent to the 29.3 megawatt Obishikokaang Waasiganikewigamig Generating Station at the outlet of Lac Seul into the English River.

[8] Immediately to the north, Highway 657 branches east to the former Hudson's Bay Company fur trading outpost at Goldpines, now home to several fishing and camping lodges.

[9][10] Approximately 20 km (12 mi) north of Ear Falls, Highway 105 passes east of Pakwash Provincial Park and through the community of Snake River.

Lorne, leading a separate expedition from his brother, discovered gold in a quartz vein under an uprooted tree as his crew prepared to leave for the Goldpines area.

By the end of 1926, Red Lake was established, with thousands of people enduring the six night trek from Hudson (near Sioux Lookout) to Howey Bay.

A dam was constructed where the English River drains from Lac Seul between 1928 and 1930 to provide power to the mining operations, around which the town of Ear Falls would be established.

While both the towns and mine operators lobbied the government for a permanent road connection to Red Lake, the Great Depression followed by the onset of World War II would delay its arrival for 20 years.

[2] Following the end of the war, advances in machinery and construction techniques as well as new deposits found near Red Lake resulted in an increased push for a road link with the rest of the province.

The ceremony took place at Perrault Falls, where minister Doucett broke through the final barrier on the highway, followed by the playing of the national anthem.