Somerset Island, Sans Souci Georgian Bay, Ontario, Canada Island B-195, Pcl 566 S/S Township of the Archipelago (Conger), District of Parry Sound
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SOMERSET ISLAND, SANS SOUCI GEORGIAN BAY, ONTARIO, CANADA ISLAND B-195, PCL 566 S/S TOWNSHIP OF THE ARCHIPELAGO (CONGER), DISTRICT OF PARRY SOUND LEGAL DESCRIPTION: ISLAND B-195, PCL 566 S/S. TOWNSHIP OF THE ARCHIPELAGO (CONGER), DISTRICT OF PARRY SOUND REGION: CANADA LOCATION: GEORGIAN BAY SIZE: 20 ACRES, APPROX. 4,500 SQ. FT., 17 ROOMS AGE: 51+ YEARS OWNER: PAUL MICHAEL TRUST, PMT XII LLC ZONING: R02 GEORGIAN BAY NAME • Georgian Bay was charted by Captain Henry W. Bayfield of the Royal Navy in 1822, he named the area after King George IV. The area of Georgian Bay located in the District of Muskoka was formed on January 1st, 1971 due to the amalgamation of several regional governments. The District of Muskoka portion of Georgian Bay includes many of the tens of thousands of islands that dot the uneven shoreline. In 1991 there were 2,069 permanent residence and 14,238 seasonal. • Imagine being in a position to choose virtually any island in Sans Souci at the turn of the 20th century! In 1902 a railroad Baron from Cleveland purchased Somerset Island from the Crown as it was one of the grand islands of the area. One hundred years later, it remains eminently clear why he made Somerset his choice. Comprising more than 20 acres, with two natural harbours, densely covered in original growth white pine and a completely unobstructed view to the west. • Comprising a total of 20 acres, Somerset is actually two distinct sections of land joined by a low lying rock cleft. The island’s present zoning designation of R2 would allow for a severance essentially creating roughly a 12 and an 8 acre parcel. LOCATION OF SOMERSET ISLAND • 2 hours north of Lester B. Pearson International Airport in Toronto to Moon River Marina via Hwy 400. • Somerset island is nestled amongst the Gerogian Bay Islands which is the eastern arm of Lake Huron. Georgian Bay covers over 15,000 square km. Add to that over 30,000 islands, over two thousand km (1,240 miles) of shoreline, 400 years of history and you have an area of outstanding diversity and opportunity. Whether you would like to cruise Georgian Bay or take a trip back in history...Southern Georgian Bay’s clear sandy waters have something for everyone. • Discover the unrivalled beauty and diversity of this gateway to the picturesque 30,000 Islands - a necklace of gems set in a water playground. Take an enchanting boat cruise on crystal-clear waters. Play among dramatic dunes and build your own sandcastles on the world’s longest freshwater beach. Be wowed by astounding rock formations sculpted thousands of years ago by receding glaciers. Wander through wetlands where songs of rare bird species are heard every day. In the snowy season, cozy up to a crackling fireplace after a challenging day of skiing. Plan your escape to the land of 30,000 Islands and a million memorable experiences. KEY LOCATIONS: Henry’s - Sans Souci, Ontario Whether you choose to experience Henry’s from inside the restaurant, on the patio, or from the screen door outbuilding, you never know what’ll happen next during dinner....the one guarantee is excellent food. Henry’s: www.henrysfishrestaurant.com SOMERSET ISLAND - HISTORY • The house on Somerset Island is Called Woryco. A glimpse of the early days on Somerset Island can be had from a book written in 1925 by Charles E. Kennedy, publisher of the Cleveland Plain Dealer: (About 1900) when but a half dozen cottages had been built on the islands (around Sans Souci), Mr. J.J. Mandelbaum, worn from the work of strenuous and successful interurban railroad promotion, must have reasoned to himself that man, like electric batteries, to be kept going, should have an occasional rest and overhauling. Anyway ‘M.J.’ discovered, as had John Farley (see B2207) and some others of us, that Moon District points directly to the stars and health! • And one result of Mandelbaum’s speculations upon health, and in railroads, is picturesque Somerset Island upon which glistening in the sunlight and, on nights of storm, beckoning welcome from the many windows made ruddy from open fires within, looms his large and very pretty lodge named Woryco. Facing in part some groups of smaller islands and the great open water to the south and west, far out in which play big freighters from Cleveland and other shipping ports, the view is one for never changing splendor. • Here for many happy summers, and usually surrounded by friends, the Mandelbaums have secluded themselves from the erosive attacks of old man Worry. Not long ago I read with absorbing interest a huge pen and pencil written ‘log book’ in the living room at Woryco. There, spread in original verse, in humorous description illustrated the fanciful sketches, I found the thoughts of a hundred or more Clevelanders who from time to time were guests. I noticed that a number of these appropriately pay tribute to M.J.’s ‘chum’ sister, Mrs. Sarah M. Baker, during all these years charmingly associated with him in the midsummer trips to this haven of peace and rest. “SIXTH GREAT LAKE” • Georgian Bay has been named the “Sixth Great Lake”, and would be if the land had formed differently and the Bruce Peninsula had extended all the way to Manitoulin Island. It is almost as large as Lake Ontario. When viewed on a map it appears large enough to be a major lake in its own right. The islands of Georgian Bay are part of the Precambrian shield, the oldest rocks in the world. Cruising the aged and barren islands with windswept pines serves as a historical tour through time. • There are approximately 30, 000 islands across the north and east coasts of Georgian Bay. Created during the great ice age, over 1 million years ago, the glaciers swept down from the north digging and scraping the rock and soil into southern Ontario and the Northern United States. This glacial movement created the Georgian Bay and along with it the 30,000 islands. BOATERS PARADISE • It’s paradise for boaters during the summer months on Georgian Bay. Its sparkling waters attract cottagers, divers, anglers, sailors and vacationers alike. One of the greatest sailing and cruising areas of the world are located on the eastern shores of the Bay. Georgian Bay is considered among the great sailing waters in the world and on good breezy days all manner of sailing craft from wind surfers to three-masted schooners. CANADIAN SHIELD • The Town of Parry Sound lies in the heart of the famous 30,000 Islands. It is surrounded by the beauty of Georgian Bay and the rugged pink granite of the Canadian Shield, with its forests, lakes and streams. Parry Sound Area is a four seasons vacation destination with excellent waterfront facilities for boating, fishing and cruise boating. • For more than 100 years as their summer hunting and fishing ground, the Huron First Nations used the Parry Sound area as a “holiday land”. The Ojibway First Nations established a village at the mouth of the Seguin River. They called their village “Wausakwasene” which loosely translated means “shining shore.” Parry Sound, the largest town in the area, was incorporated on April 23, 1887. TOURISM INDUSTRY • The steamers were the first lifelines of the settlements, bringing tourists and homesteaders to the area. The first railway into the area, The Canadian Atlantic Railway, reached Rose Point in the early 1900s. With the end of lumbering, the Parry Sound Area turned its attention to the tourism industry. Luxury hotels had begun to flourish in the area which even when the guests had to arrive by stagecoach and boat. The natural beauty of the unspoiled wilderness and the hospitality of the inhabitants resulted in a thriving tourist industry which has continued to grow to the present. When you browse your way through the many shops that line the main street, you will discover distinctive galleries and experience the unique flavor of the local artisans. SOMERSET ISLAND, SAN SOUCI - BOATERS INFORMATION • Georgian Bay has to be the world’s best fresh water boating paradise. It is part of Lake Huron, one of the Great Lakes that straddles the Canada-U.S. border. On the east side of Georgian Bay lies the 30,000 Islands, and this year with the low water, there seems to be more than that. The myriad of islands and small bays create a haven for hanging on the anchor for the weekend while the wide open spaces of the bay provide endless hours of cruising especially appreciated by sail boaters. The Georgian Bay Association: www.georgianbay.ca, Boating On Georgian Bay: www.gylessails.com SOMERSET ISLAND - HELICOPTER INFORMATION • Parry Sound Adventure Tours Inc.: www.psat.ca SOMERSET ISLAND - AIRPLANE INFORMATION • Simply the best fly-in restaurant I’ve have flown into is Henry’s Fish Restaurant. Henry’s is located on Frying Pan Island and is located in Georgian Bay. It is accessible only by boat or seaplane. It is also nominated as one of Saveur magazine’s “Saveur 100” favorite things. Georgian Bay Airways: www.timetableimages.com, Georgian Bay Airways: www.georgianbayairways.com .