The Evolving Muskoka Vacation Experience 1860-1945 by Geoffrey
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The Evolving Muskoka Vacation Experience 1860-1945 by Geoffrey Shifflett A thesis presented to the University of Waterloo in fulfillment of the thesis requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Geography Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, 2012 © Geoffrey Shifflett 2012 Author’s Declaration I hereby declare that I am the sole author of this thesis. This is a true copy of the thesis, including any required final revisions, as accepted by my examiners. I understand that my thesis may be made electronically available to the public. ii Abstract This dissertation examines the development of tourism in Muskoka in the Canadian Shield region from 1860 to 1945. Three key themes are examined: the tourists, the resorts and projected image of the area. When taken together, they provide insight into the origin and evolution of the meanings attached to tourist destinations in the Canadian Shield. The Muskoka Lakes region provides the venue in which continuity and change in each of these elements of the tourism landscape are explored. This dissertation uses previously underutilized primary source materials ranging from hotel ledgers, financial reports, personal correspondence, period brochures, guidebooks, and contemporary newspaper articles to reconstruct the Muskoka tourist experience over an extended period of time. The volume of literature pertaining to American tourism history significantly outweighs similar work conducted on Canadian destinations. This dissertation, therefore, begins with an overview of key works related to the historical development of tourism in the United States followed by a survey of corresponding Canadian literature. The lack of an analytical structure in many tourist historical works is identified as a methodological gap in the literature. A framework is developed to guide data acquisition. Utilizing this framework, the tourists, resorts and images that were projected of Muskoka are examined through five stages of development, from the opening of the region to tourists to the immediate postwar era. The findings from this analysis are used to build an understanding of the changes and continuities in the meanings, or essence, of the Canadian Shield tourist experience. While significant changes are observed in the nature of the tourists, the form and function iii of tourist lodgings, and the content of projected images, the meaning of the Canadian Shield tourist experience exhibits substantial continuity. From the beginning of tourist development, two opposing perspectives emerge: those of the insider and the outsider. Insiders were thought to be more unpretentious, cognizant of tradition, with a greater sense of belonging in the landscape than the outsiders who were perceived to be pretentious, conscious of societal norms, and a threat to the established traditions of the resort region. The meanings of the destination are informed by the dialogue and tensions between these two perspectives on what a Canadian Shield vacation experience should entail. These meanings, which reflect perceptions of a lifestyle that has been and is continuously under threat from outside forces, persists throughout the stages of tourism development in Muskoka and can be observed in the contemporary period. iv Acknowledgements My first encounter with the Muskoka Lakes was in August of 1980 when at just six weeks of age my parents brought me on vacation to the small Paquana Cottage resort outside Windermere on Lake Rosseau. Over the course of several subsequent summers, family vacations entailed a seemingly never-ending drive North to a series of small resort hotels on the Muskoka Lakes to spend a week or two swimming, boating, and relaxing on the shores of the lake as generations of visitors had done before. My memories of these resorts are strikingly similar. I easily recall the small musty cabins with their spongy plywood floors and narrow beds. The rambling old lodges also vividly appear in the mind’s eye with their large dining halls, kitchens, and warren of small bedrooms upstairs that seldom seemed to be occupied. From a child’s perspective the obvious shortcomings of these properties disappeared. For my sister and I they became playgrounds, the setting for unlimited adventures. Like many families before, we left the world of the resort hotel purchased property and built a private cottage. However, even here on the site of an older resort hotel the past function of the land was discernable by the abandoned rock gardens, and hotel debris consisting of broken dishes and bottles that could be found in the shallow waters of the lake and deep in the woods. My interest in the history of Muskoka and its tradition of hotels began at this time and has culminated in this dissertation. Along the way many individuals and organizations have contributed immensely to this project beginning with my parents, Michael and Susan, who introduced me to the region and provided innumerable support v and encouragement to my studies. My sister Ashley contributed both as an editor and along with my parents as a sounding board for ideas and discussion. This work would not have been possible without the assistance and resources of many public libraries and institutions. Special thanks is given to the staff of the Muskoka Heritage Centre, Muskoka Lakes Museum, Bracebridge Public Library and Port Carling Library as well as the National Archives of Canada, the Archives of Ontario, the Thomas Fisher Library, the Toronto Reference Library, and the Canadian Museum of Technology. A special acknowledgement is given to Ken Judd who graciously offered the use of his family’s rich archive of materials tracing the development of Muskoka back to 1870s. As well my research was greatly aided by the kind support of individuals including Jim Dixon who provided materials on Bigwin Inn and Lake of Bays, Vivian Rogers who loaned me materials related to the Bluff Hotel, Glen Brownlee who provided taped interviews of individuals associated with Juddhaven and the Royal Muskoka Hotel, and Ian Turnbull who provided invaluable material on George Martin and Wigwassan Lodge. Lastly I wish to thank my supervisor Dr. Geoff Wall and committee members who guided me through this process with timely advice, thoughtful criticisms and equally abundant encouragement. The support of my supervisor and committee along with the cottagers, tourists, and former resort owners I encountered on the way made this journey both rewarding and pleasurable, much like a trip to the lake on a warm summer’s eve. vi Dedication For their generosity and support, I dedicate this thesis to my parents, Michael and Susan Shifflett. vii Table of Contents Author’s Declaration .............................................................................................................. ii Abstract ..................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................. v Dedication ............................................................................................................................... vii Table of Contents ................................................................................................................. viii List of Figures ........................................................................................................................... xi List of Tables ......................................................................................................................... xiv Chapter 1 Introduction .......................................................................................................... 1 Chapter 2 Context .................................................................................................................... 9 Scope of Research ............................................................................................................................. 9 Tourism History .............................................................................................................................. 10 American Recreation, Leisure and Wilderness Experiences ..................................................... 11 Beginnings of American Tourism .......................................................................................................... 13 American Resort Hotels ............................................................................................................................. 16 Social Functions of American Resort Hotels .................................................................................... 19 American Resort Hotels in the Twentieth Century ....................................................................... 22 The Canadian Context ................................................................................................................... 25 Canadian Wilderness and Nature Experiences ............................................................................... 25 The Canadian Pursuit of Recreation .................................................................................................... 28 The Canadian Cottage Experience ........................................................................................................ 36 Gaps in the Literature ................................................................................................................... 38 Chapter 3 Methodologies ..................................................................................................