The Life of Norway Point

by Daphne Curtis Gordon’s Corners, 1880’s Church The Life of Norway Point Norway Point was first discovered by many of the first nations’ tribes that were the earliest Canadian people. From before written history, the Ojibwa tribe summered on Lake of Bays, while the other groups would travel to this lake for exchange of goods and fishing at Trading Lake, now known as Lake of Bays. Found on Norway Point was an arrowhead, indicating that this was likely an early campground for trading, meeting, and summer life of the various aboriginal groups. Norway Point, so called because of the Nor- way — red — Pines that surrounded the point, is a beautiful stretch of land. During the lumbering years, every tree but one was cut down, the lone remaining tree becoming a familiar landmark not only in the days when the land was farmed, but also when the Wawa hotel was in existence, and finally when the cottages were built. Sadly, in the 1950’s, the famous tree, at the water’s edge, was struck by lightning and destroyed. In the 1880’s, Gordon’s Corners, at the intersection of Brown’s Brae Road and Paint Lake Road, was the centre of the community of early settlers. By the years around 1877, the area sur- rounding Norway Point was “more thickly populated than it ever has been.” At Gordon’s Corners were a church, a schoolhouse, and a home that was the Post Office. In the early cottage years, — the 1900’s — Norway Point was considered to stretch from what is now the Sailing Club, (previously the St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church) to the Bigwin Island dock. Today, and for the purpose of this report, however, Norway Point is the land from Nor- way Point Road to the Bigwin Golf Course property. THE ROBERTSON FAMILY In the late 1870’s, from Edinburgh, came John Wilson Robertson, a coal merchant who had sold his business and then purchased a land grant, including Norway Point and the land surrounding the present road down to the lake. When he arrived with his wife, Catherine, and their three adult sons and one daughter, they purchased two sections on Concession 13: Lots 24 and 25. They may have first built a “but and ben” — a cabin — near the current location of Harriet Muirhead’s property and later constructed a log house on the founda- tion of the present Robertson house. On the property today, the remains of the barn still exist, as does the small farmhouse.

In the early years, the lives of the Robertson family as farmers were a challenge, especially because the land was not only full of stones, but somewhat unproduc- tive. Because of this, many of the early settlers soon left the area. By 1877, the three Robertson sons were married and had settled for themselves. The eldest, George, married Elizabeth Forest, a nurse from Scotland who arrived in 1875. George drove to Bracebridge over the ice and snow to meet and marry Elizabeth, and to take her to their new home in the forest. The couple bought and resided on Lot 23, Concession 13; this house was on the Wawa beach as may be seen in an early picture. A long time later, Elizabeth herself was to be known to all cottagers as “Granny”. The second son, John Brown Robertson, had married Maria Jane Foulner in Scotland and then had travelled with his wife and baby daughter to settle in Canada. They pur- chased land from Tom Salmon and farmed the property known as Grove Park: Lot 15, Concession 14. Anthony, the youngest son, meanwhile, took up lot 27, Concession 12, the land behind White Lake, where he both farmed and ran a lumber mill on the property which became known as White Wheels. Later, Anthony purchased more land — Lot 26, Concession 13 — and ran Grandview Lodge near the current Lake of Bays Tennis Club courts, west of the old Glenmount Hotel. He married Mary Jane Brown, daughter of Duncan Brown of the Brae. The family built a road from the farmhouse to Grove Park to connect the properties, a road which later continued as the main artery until the present highway was built. Some years later, the elder Robertsons moved to Baysville where they lived with their daughter, Mrs. Secord, until their deaths — Mrs. Robertson’s in 1898 and Mr. Robertson’s in 1901. Previous to their deaths, John had purchased the elder Robertsons’ land. By the turn of the century, a new era dawned — the time of the tourists — when Mrs. George Robertson, “Granny”, opened her house on the beach to summer visitors. Each year, the guests would arrive by boat on a rickety dock at Norway Point where Granny would meet her visitors and accompany them to her beach house, carrying their luggage in a wheelbarrow. Mrs. VanWyck remembered her first arrival at the point: travelling by train to Huntsville, by steam boat to the portage, by wagon across the portage, and, finally, by another steam ship, all over the lake, before landing very late in the day. After disem- barking, her first act was to fall through the planks and into the water. “Granny” Robertson THE FIRST COTTAGERS In 1899, the Rev. J.L. Brown, who came to visit the lake, became so enthusiastic about the region that he convinced the Robertsons to sell some land to his wife. Although the Rev. Brown was not permitted to earn money, his wife, Mrs. Lizzie Brown, was known as a “real business woman” who divided the lots, selling them to Presbyterian ministers. While most of the ministers did not own houses, as the church supplied them with manses, they could buy cottages which they could rent out to raise money.

At this time, when Dr. MacTavish was visiting at the Robertson lake house, he purchased land from Mrs. Brown and first built his home in 1901. The Browns and Dr. MacTavish were so keen on life at the lake that they also persuaded several of their ministerial colleagues to purchase properties along the shores. Early in the century, on some of the Browns’ land, a cottage was built for the Rev. Dr. R. M. Hamilton who later sold to Mr. Higgins, from South America. Mr. James W. Tyrrell of Hamilton first rented a cottage, purchasing it the following year, in 1905. He named his cottage Minnewawa, meaning “wind in the trees” and this property remains in the family today. Further along the shore settled Dr. Fraser Smith, a missionary from China as well as Dr. Murdock MacKenzie and the Rev. Dr. McKay, also missionaries. !n 1908, the Buckingham family rented from the Rev. Brown and, several years later, purchased the property. In 1910 and 1911, the Sprott family also rented from the Rev. Brown and later purchased one of his homes At present, the Buckingham cottage is owned by descendants, the Osbornes, while the Sprott cottage is now owned by the Dennis family. At the beginning of their time on the lake, the various ministers and their families held services in a grove under the trees at the current site of Norway Point Church.. It is said that when people sat on planks balanced on pine stumps, they had to careful to stand up all together lest someone slide off. There was also a boys’ choir and, on many evenings, the sound of song carried across the silent lake. Most of the cottages were built largely by their owners with some local help, especially because many of the ministers were better preachers than carpenters, having little time to waste on the finer aspects of architecture. The properties built for the ministers often shared very similar architectural designs with each other, still noticeable today. All along the shore of Norway Point, lots were being developed. When the Rev. Brown convinced a parishioner who had an illness to try life at the lake, the Muirhead family first came to Lake of Bays. Similarly, many more families arrived, their numbers building a community. In 1915, to counter some of the nagging questions as to property lines, Mr. William C. Tyrrell, a Hamilton Surveyor, was hired from J.W. Tyrrell and Company. As a result of his measuring, his prepared plan was accepted by all the members of the group as a legally binding document. The signatures of all the properties’ owners were witnessed, and, even today, several of the original owners have copies of this document. Because so many of these property holders were either ministers or parishioners, it is no wonder that some people called the settlement the “Clergy Reserve”.

NORWAY POINT CHURCH In 1908, the first Norway Point Church was built by the many ministers visiting the lake, the cornerstone being laid, on August 8, 1908, by the Rev. Brown and Dr. McTavish. The carpenters Tackaberry, along with the Langford brothers, some assistants, and Drs. Neil and MacTavish — who were said to be distin- guished roofers — began work on August 10, and, in spite of some obstacles, the church hosted its first service on August 23, quite a feat. Not only was the attendance good but the offering amounted to $217. Prior to the construction of the church, a board of Trustees was elected who agreed, first, that the property would be deeded to the Presbyterian Church of Canada; and, second , that “the pulpit and services be opened to ministers and members of any evangelical denomination.” The committee agreed to borrow $500 from a Mrs. Margaret B. Quantz at seven percent interest. An $800 insur- ance policy was placed on the building, the actual cost of construction having amounted to $805.70. Although this money was apparently not enough to include windows, the following year, at a cost of $10 per window, the Church was fully enclosed. Most of the worshippers were the ministers and their families, yet, as time passed, guests of the Wawa and Bigwin Inn joined the congregation. Later, families travelled by boat to the church, among them the Rev. S. Edward Young from Savage Den, across the lake behind Bigwin island. He and his two sons were regular attendees and later, both boys — Bradford and Edward — became ministers.

WAWA HOTEL In 1908, another turning point occurred at Norway Point: the opening of the Wawa Hotel, meaning “Canada Goose”. The Wawa was a frame structure with a three-storey central building and a two-storey wing on either side, accommo- dating a total of 300 guests. A spectacular monument tower, five storeys high, crowned the hotel. Perched atop of the crown was a powerful spotlight that could shine for miles. Wooden interior walls, panelled with magnificent pine imported from Georgia, was lavishly decorated with the finest of furniture. The hotel was so successful that canvas tents on platforms were set up on the prop- erty for overflow guests. It is said that C.O. Shaw, who developed the Bigwin resort, had often stayed first at the Wawa. Apparently, one evening, he found that his personal suite had mistakenly been rented to other guests. This event was said to have had such a strong influence in Shaw’s long-term presence on Lake of Bays that is was thought to be his source of inspiration for Bigwin Inn. In a 1913 brochure of the Wawa, the writer states that the resort is “the largest, finest and most comfort- able summer hotel in Canada”. The subse- quent success of the Wawa changed Norway Point from a quiet sylvan retreat for about twenty families, mostly ministers and their friends, into a fash- ionable and popular resort destination. Bought from Granny Robertson, the Wawa land was purchased by the Canadian Railway News Company and, during her lifetime, a small house was provided for her use. At the south side of the Wawa property, where the Fasken cottage now stands, was a large dance pavilion, the nightly gathering place for all the young people. As these were the days of chaperones, the parents waited patiently on the bench around the hall until the last dance was honoured and “God SaveThe King” played. Then, the young folk were guided through the woods by lantern light. In the daytime, over the years, many hot afternoons were spent sitting under the Gazebo which stood intact during the fire and still remains on the Fergusons’ property. OS KE NON TON Also found along the shores of Norway Point was Os Ke Non Ton — Running Deer — known, too, as Louis Deer, a Mohawk native who guided tourists. A talented singer, Os Ke Non Ton would often sing at the beach on Norway Point, although not allowed within the Wawa hotel. He lived in a tent further along the shore towards Black Point where he made baskets which he sold to the cottagers. Many of the visitors to the Wawa enjoyed his splendid voice. One evening in 1913, Mrs. Leonore Kennedy, a soprano soloist at Bloor Street Presbyterian Church in Toronto, heard the stunning voice of Os Ke Non Ton while walking along the shore. Struck by the rich quality of his singing, she imme- diately invited him to her cottage. Under Mrs. Kennedy’s direction, Os Ke Non Ton secured, at first, a job as an usher in the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. There, he gradually established himself as a singer in his own right and later sang both at the Toronto Exhibition and in England, at the Albert Hall, before Queen Mary. Os Ke Non Ton sang several times at Norway Point Church, and, upon the death of Mrs. Leonore Kennedy, he was involved in a memorial held at Bigwin Inn. Os Ke Non Ton insisted on singing the songs that Madame Kennedy had preferred to hear and, on the occasion of the memorial, he sang a couple of numbers that she had been famous for singing. “He stood so that his voice went out over the water where her voice had gone” (Lockhart, W.). This special memorial performance was said to have touched — emotionally — every guest and cottager. GOLF COURSE In the area, several of the prominent early settlers included the Reverends Brown and MacTavish, Doctors Neil and Murray, Mr. A.M. Campbell, Robert Ross, R.V. McPherson, D. MacDonald, Doctor Tyrrell and Mrs. Sampson. Clubbing together, they bought, from Mr. Terryberry for $500, a large section of land which included the shore line from the old Gov- ernment road allowance, to the present road, to the current sailing club, and back to Black Lake – Lot 26, Concession 13. The group having divided the property into 10 equal sections, each share- holder received one. By 1907, Dr. Tyrrell, Mrs. Sampson, Mr. Ross, and Mr. Campbell had properties built. The golf course which they constructed became a prosperous concern, many improvements being made under the direction of Stanley Thompson and others. A small club house, situated on the hill, con- tained lockers. In the 1930’s, however, the course began to deteriorate, ceasing to exist as a useful playing area in the first summer of World War II, when most of the men went to war. It was never re-established. Today, there are no signs to indicate that a golf course ever existed there.

Small Club House

FIRE AT WAWA

On August 19, 1923, the fire at Wawa marked another changing point in the life at Norway Point. The fire, which destroyed the massive hotel in less than half an hour, with the sad loss of eight lives, was witnessed from the Sampson cottage at least a mile away. Alan Sampson was awakened at 12:45 a.m. “by a very bright light”. When he looked out his win- dow he found “the Wawa on fire – the sight was very weird …by the glare of the fire, our verandah was as light as day”. Fortunately, although the fire happened before most of the guests had retired to bed, great confusion resounded through the hotel, with no time for people to retrieve any valuables. Guests in upper rooms were forced in many cases to jump. Because the maids’ quarters were close to where the flames started, several maids were known, sadly, to have perished. The ruins were a gruesome spectacle for those members from the press and the cottagers’ groups who viewed them the next day. According to Alan Sampson, who wrote in his diary, “There was nothing left save bathtubs, beds, door knobs, window weights, trunk frames – an absolute clean- cut fire.” Immediately, the land was cordoned off and guarded; the guests were allowed in, a few at a time, to try to retrieve lost belongings. EARLY COTTAGE LIFE Throughout the 1920’s and into the 1940’s, the Robertson family was an impor- tant part of Norway Point. At the corner where the present Norway Point Road meets Glenmount Road, the farm of George L.Robertson — grandson of Granny — was where milk was purchased and vegetables were available as they came into season. Fortunately, a split-rail fence was built along the front of the properties as, traditionally, cows from the Robertson farm meandered into any good field and could be found not only on the golf course but on the beach of the Wawa. Every winter, George would cut blocks of ice from the lake which he packed in sawdust in a corner under the veranda. At the start of the tourist season, these chunks were uncov- ered, washed, and placed in iceboxes for summer use. In spite of the heat, enough ice lasted till the end of the summer. Drinking water was fetched in buckets from a well shared by cottagers, situated at the bottom of the hill. In addition, with the use of rain barrels, each cottage collected rain water for household use. One of the highlights of life at the cottage was the receiving and sending of mail. At the Glenmount hotel, a large dock existed for the steamers. Here, the Iroquois or Mohawk Belle would tie up, picking up the morning’s post and delivering the mail in the afternoon. At first, the mail was sorted by Mr. McGarvey in a little store located at the foot of Glenmount Hotel, where the children would gather to collect it. Ruth Dolphin, however, would bring the Muirheads’ mail to them each day. Later, the mail was later sorted by Hugh and Florence (Vanclieaf) Thompson, until Frank Leslie purchased the Glenmount in the 1940’s. Around this time, the steamers ceased mail delivery, although the mail continued to be sorted at the Glenmount in the summer and on Brown’s Brae Road in the winter. The supply boat would also land at the various large docks around the lake. Here, ice cream, always a little soft, was sold to the young people, while family supplies were purchased by the adults. The beauty of the supply boat was that, often, as items were being traded for money, change would fall into the water. As soon as the boat left, the children would dive in, looking for coins. Teenage life for all the families in the area is fondly remembered. The young people would bike from cottage to cottage, organizing games, picnics, water sports, and, of course, trips to Bigwin Inn. A special event was the scavenger hunt whose trails would lead as far as Grove Park. According to Ruth Dolphin, life in the 1940’s and 1950’s, for a teenager, were the “best years ever”. While a few of the families had motor boats, the most common way to travel was by bicycle. The gang of young people would travel to the store, where they could pick up the mail and buy their penny candies. Ice cream was usually bought at the Tea House across the road from the store, where the docks for the sailing club now sit. Canoeing was also very popular, and every year the regatta was the highlight of the summer. While the first regatta was held at Wawa, later the location moved to Bigwin Inn, and, finally, the Regatta settled where it remains today - the Lake of Bays Sailing Club. SUNSET COTTAGE HERITAGE AWARD 1919 Another of the early cottages on Norway Point was that of Dr. Dickson. In 1901, George Robertson sold this land – Concession 13, Lot 24 — to Lizzie Brown for the sum of $185. She, in turn, passed on the property, in 1913, to Dr. J.A. Dickson and his wife Edith, of Hamilton, Ontario. It is believed that the construction of the building may have commenced prior to the First World War, although it was completed, shortly after the war, in 1919. During his time in the area, Dr. Dickson ran a small medical “unofficial”clinic, provid- ing medicine and practical service to the local cottagers. Dr. Dickson and Edith summered at the cottage until Edith’s death in 1948, whereupon their daughter, Hazel Crawford, of Montreal, inherited the property. Hazel remembered greatly enjoying and spending her summers with the crowds of young people, especially those who stayed for entire summers at the Lake. In 1970, the Dickson cottage was increased in size by a local contractor, Lloyd Green, the electrical work being done by Allan Ellis of Baysville, father of Mike Ellis. At this time, Hazel and her husband, Toby Crawford, made it their year-round home, an arrangement that lasted until Toby’s death in Febru- ary, 1992. Hazel had pre-deceased Toby, in 1984. The cottage remained in the family, however, inherited by Susan Speke, daughter of Toby and Hazel, and her husband, Nick. In 2008, the Spekes sold Sunset Cottage to Marnie Wraith and Geoffrey Martin who selected the property for its heritage, character, and charm. Sunset Cottage is unique in many ways, the original floor plan being simple in design, with a large front window overlooking the lake. This cottage, being recognized this year, will receive a Heritage Award 2008 from the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation. HERITAGE AWARD 1901/1936 The Wawa fire had other effects on Norway Point: The daughter of Dr. McTavish and his wife, Jean Carmichael, who married H.B. VanWyck, pur- chased the Dunbar cottage. The family still has the original deed indicating the cost of transfer at the cost of $1,000. Several days after the fire, H.B. came to the devastated fire site and stated that Dunbar had to “come down”. It was not until 1936, however, that H.B. and Jean built the structure that still remains unchanged today. The present cottage was built with great care, each room having both a door and an easy fire-escape route. The VanWycks had the cottage built by a Toronto architect, Tom Muirhead, a friend of the family and a well known architect from Toronto. The Western Red Cedar that covers the interior walls and ceiling was imported from British Columbia. The cottage was de- signed for their large family, the four bedrooms for the growing family. The servant’s quarter was off the small kitchen near the rear door exit. The most time was spent on the veranda, at first open to the air and later screened in. In the 1970’s, glass was added to the screens to warm the cool nights; when the windows are open, a warm breeze is welcomed. The unique design of the building is a wonder to carpenters today. The vaulted ceiling in the living room meets at complex corners, that were sawn by hand. The dining room is totally glassed, producing a feeling of a “light box” absorb- ing the sunsets off the lake. The glass in these windows rose from the ceiling to

First Cottage 1900’s the floor and was often stuck to the ceiling and difficult to open. In the mid- 1970’s, H.B changed these windows to be hinged at the sides. This room holds the extended family with a large table that can seat the family of 14. In the early 1970’s, after Jean’s death, some changes were made, none having been com- pleted while she still lived. Even so, the changes made after her death were very slight, not changing the cottage in any substantial way. The servant’s quarter, now enlarged, became a fifth bedroom during this period as well. The current owner, Gordon Henderson, hopes the cottage “remains in his family for another 100 years.” The family enjoys the unique architecture of the earlier era with the high wood-beam ceilings and wood panelling that covers the walls and the hardwood floors. The great verandah, with its sweeping view of the lake and Norway Point, is cherished by all the Hendersons. This home is being recognized for its built heritage qualities that clearly fit the criteria estab- lished to receive a Heritage Award 2008.

HERITAGE AWARD 1936 In 1936, with the Bigwin resort in full swing, Frank Leslie had a cottage built for his personal use, a beautiful house created by John Wilson, the same archi- tect who had designed the Bigwin. This cottage was reminiscent of the Wawa Hotel in its architectural plan and of Bigwin’s Tea House in its elaborate ma- sonry. The building, designed to Leslie’s specifications around a large centre module, had cathedral ceilings and a huge stone fireplace. At the front of the module was a verandah overlooking the beach and at either side was a large wing where the bedrooms, bathrooms, and servants’ quarters were located. Nicknamed “Norway Lodge”, it was thought by many tourists and cottagers to be a hotel. A three-car garage was also erected on the property as well as a boat house which was extended, n the 1940’s, to provide a location for Frank Leslie’s collection of vessels. One craft of importance was the hardtop Shepherd boat, the Nor-Les (named after Norway Point and his family name). The building also housed two other motor boats: the El-Mar (named after Frank Leslie’s parents) and the B-4, as well as many fine sailboats. Leslie, an avid sailor, remained head of the Lake of Bays Regatta for many years, encouraging the cottagers to sail. As is well known, the Sailing Club remains an active part of cottage life on Lake of Bays. After the death of Frank Leslie, in 1964, the estate sold his home to the Robert Fasken family who winterized the large screened-in porch while maintaining the original lights. In addition, the garage was renovated into a caretaker’s house. In 1989, this residence was purchased by Phyllis and Graeme Ferguson who have maintained the character of the cottage. The Fergusons have renewed the life of the wood floors, returning them almost to their original state. In 2007, a new wing was added to the cottage for an indoor swimming pool, using local stone that matches the original material. The Fergusons have also proudly looked after the original gardens, the boat house, and the famous Wawa gazebo. The boat house, which remains home to several antique boats, is maintained in mint condition. The Fergusons reside at this home on a full-time basis, a way of life that is practised in many areas of Lake of Bays. All of these details and many more prove this home to be most definitely worthy of a 2008 Heritage Award.

HERITAGE AWARD 1936 C.O. Shaw purchased all the Wawa property after the fire, and, in 1934, the site was surveyed by a Bracebridge land surveyor who established the plan in the Registry office as a system of subdivision, including lots 1 through 7. Frank Leslie, who had purchased Lots 6 and 7, built his cottage in 1936. Watson Bain’s father, James Bain, Junior, was known to have visited the Muskoka Lakes area as early as 1860. When Watson Bain and his first wife, Madge, (née Davidson), visited the Wawa, they became very fond of Lake of Bays. Later, after Madge’s death from cancer, in the early 1930’s, the cottage property was secured at which time, Watson, now remarried, built the cottage for his second wife, Mary Edith Kilgour. Later, Watson, (founding chairman of the department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Toronto and active member of the Norway Point Church), along with his wife, Mary Edith (1883 to 1980) and son James Davidson Bain (Jim) became early cottagers on Lake of Bays and joined in the entertaining life of the 1930’s and onward. Jim married Laura Madeleine Armour (Madeleine) in 1944. The cottage was built from the blueprints of architects Saunders and Ryrie that remain in the family today. The design ideas represent the preferences of both James and Edith, with cedar ceiling beams and fir flooring. A maid’s quarters exists at the back of the cottage, off the kitchen, with a very small washroom for her private use. The kitchen itself is separate from the dining room, where, even into the 1970’s, Edith would ring a small bell for service, a bell that still remains as a memory of those days. The square footage is not large but serves its purpose well. On the second floor two bedrooms for the family are in- cluded, while the large master bedroom overlooking the lake also has a bell to the servant’s quarter. Although the bell still works, it is not likely that anyone will come running. Off the second bedroom is an open-air sleeping porch for use during hot evenings, now overshadowed by cedar trees. Despite interior renovations to the kitchen and maid’s room, the cottage exterior and living room remain as they were originally built. A large stone fireplace, built by Llewellyn Robertson, warms the cool evenings and the original wicker chairs are still a fixture in the living area. In 1937, Watson built a two-car garage, with sleeping quarters at the west end, and, in 1949, the family built a second cottage, this one for Jim and Madeleine’s growing family. When the Bain family built their cottage — because no trees existed on the property — Jim Bain planted many trees, including red and white pines, around the cottage to provide shade from the summer sun and to provide privacy from the highway. Over the years, these trees have grown so well, they have often been thinned out for younger growth to flourish, to make room for the mature trees. Today, the cottage remains under the care of Peter, youngest son of Jim and Madeleine, and his wife, Leigh, who wish they had more time to spend at the lake. An interesting aspect of the relationships at the time was that Dr. VanWyck delivered Peter, at his birth, while, earlier, Dr. McTavish delivered Peter’s brothers and sister. On the property, the Bains’ large double lot was severed in the 1980’s, the later cottage now being used by Peter’s sister, Peggy, her hus- band Arndt, and their family. The years of leisurely long summers enjoyed by Peter’s grandparents are a fond memory: the recollections of those days will never be forgotten. The Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation is proud to award the Bain family a Heritage Award 2008. NORWAY POINT CHURCH HERITAGE AWARD 1944 In the early days, the church was a rallying point in the community and remains so 100 years later. At that distant time, long ago, the church on Sunday was crowded with worshippers of every denomination, being preached to by visiting ministers of various commun- ions. Later on, a minister was appointed for the combined parishes of Baysville, Brown’s Brae, Norway Point, and Dorset. This arrangement held until the church building collapsed on March 24, in the severe winter of 1943, under a heavy weight of snow. After this, a talented architect, Mr. L. Somerville, generously contributed his skill designing in 1944, the quaint church that now nestles in the trees. The carpenter was Lewellyn Robertson. The interior, which was left in its natural state, showing the beauty of the pine rafters and timbers, remains in its origi- nal design today. A large cathedral window allows the Bain worshippers to look beyond the green woods and into the blue sky. At the first service, on July 23, a beautiful new communion table held the central position, behind which was framed a simple wooden cross. Fortunately, the pulpit had been saved from the cave-in; also salvaged were the oak chancel chairs which matched the pulpit, part of the memorial given in memory of Mrs. Kennedy with the funds raised mainly by Os Ke Non Ton. The old hard-backed chairs of the first church were replaced with the lovely oak pews that remain in place today. The parishioners were encouraged to contribute funds as memorials to cover the costs of the pews. As a memorial, a simple brass plate carrying the inscription “In loving memory of …” was installed in each pew, but this inscription did not mean that the family named could claim that pew each Sunday. From the church’s new life in 1944, there continued to be rotating ministers and, in 1950, the congregation agreed to become members of the Muskoka United Parish of the United Church of Canada. In 1968, with changes to the pastoral districts, the church members agreed to use their own resources and find their own rotating ministers. Professor Bain and Mr. Beverly were the first active recruiters, travelling the lake in search of preachers. In 1980-81, the growth of the congregation meant additional seating space was required. To provide this area, a twelve-foot extension was placed at the south end of the church, moving the chancel forward, without making any changes in appear- ance to either the exterior or the interior of the church. This work was per- formed by Alan Robertson, son of Lewellyn Robertson, who had built the original church in 1944. A further change occurred in 1987. A rear window, behind the communion table, was installed in memory of Mrs. Elizabeth Murray Fasken commemorat- ing her many contributions to Norway Point Church. This window was de- signed by Susan Speke, Hazel and Toby Crawford’s daughter. The church community continued the practice of finding its own rotating ministers, remain- ing self sufficient, separate from any administrative church body. According to its original charter, Henderson the church at present remains multi-denomina- tional, attracting both full-time residents and cottagers alike. Today, the church is very popular for weddings on the lake and, at each Christmas Eve, a service takes place in the church whose building Sunset - Wraith/Martin still lacks running water. Although the Christmas Eve service begins in the cold, the many bodies that fill the church, often to capacity, soon so effectively warm the service that parkas are stripped off. The Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation is proud to present to the congregation of Norway Point Church a 2008 Heritage Award.

Ferguson COTTAGE LIFE CONTINUES In the 1920’s and 1930’s cottagers could set their time by the Robertson Muirheads who fished every evening: Mrs. R. would fish while husband “Bob” would row the boat. Every evening, they left their home after dinner and returned at darkness, always with a fish. Because the Muirheads did not like to eat the fish, the daily catch was given to the various neighbours. One such family, next door, the Millers, often received the fish, a form of exchange, because Ruth (Miller)Dolphin picked up their mail each day. Cottage life in the 1940’s and 1950’s is fondly remembered. Across from the Glenmount store, the Glenmount Hotel had a tea house which brought in name bands and popular singers of the day. Many dances were held for the staff of Bigwin Inn, and the Bigwin ferry would have to patiently wait to return the staff afterwards. There was even a slot machine at the Glenmount hotel! Every Thanksgiving, a turkey dinner would be cooked for all the cottagers as a final farewell to their summer at Norway Point. Edgar Davies, a longtime cottager, very accurately recalls these dinners and events: he remembers in particular a local cottager, Greg Clark, who was so shy he would always sit at the back away from all the other cottagers. Prior to the dam being built in Baysville, the lake’s water levels would fluctuate. In the spring of 1956, Edgar Davies arrived to find all the docks under water. That year, the normally dry boat houses that housed watercraft over the winter were totally flooded. In some cases, the boats were seen floating up and touch- ing the roofs of the boat houses. Continuing on through the 1960’s and beyond, until the 2000’s, life has been mellow on Norway Point. The majority of the cottages have remained in their original condition, but a few have been torn down and rebuilt to today’s stand- ards, specifically, the four-season building. Norway Point is an important part of the lake. Not only does it house many heritage homes and a heritage Church, it is a community unto itself. The local residents are both year-round dwellers and summer residents, all of whom care deeply for one another. In the 1970’s, the Robertson boat house briefly existed as a marina; it was located at the bottom of Glenmount Road hill. Here, cottagers could fill up with gas as well as store their boats. Several marinas in the area at this time would sell not only gas and boat parts but food, candy, and ice cream. As neither a marina nor a store exists any longer at Norway Point, today’s children have to travel further in search of sweets. Norway Point is seeing new young families developing their own cottage life with their personal new stories and history. The fondly remembered history by the older generations is present for the enjoyment of the youngest generation and those in between. The Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation is proud to present, in 2008, several awards in this important area of the lake: • Henderson cottage, built 1901; rebuilt in 1936; originally known as Dunbar, first owned by Dr. McTavish • Bain cottage, built 1936; original family owned. • Ferguson cottage, built 1936; originally known as Norway Lodge, first owned by Frank Leslie • Sunset Cottage, built 1919; originally known as Sunset Cottage, first owned by Dr. Dickson now owned by Wraith/Martin • Norway Point Church, first built in 1908; rebuilt in 1944

Acknowledgements This information has been compiled with the help of the following: Contributions: Meeting, June 27: Gloria Woodside, Harriet Muirhead, Mike Stevenson, Graeme and Phyllis Ferguson, Ruth Dolphin June 30: interview with Edgar Davies with Harriet Muirhead June 30: approval for award with Marnie re Speke cottage Meeting, July 10: Gloria Woodside, Harriet Muirhead, Graeme and Phyllis Ferguson, Chris Karn, Helen Blythe, Ruth Dolphin, and Mark McLean Mid Meeting July with Peter Bain Manuscript from Leigh Bain; written by Edith Bain Manuscript by Christine Pearse Karn: Early History of Norway Point and her cottage: “Treetops” Patricia Sampson, who permitted the use of quotations from her father’s diary: Mr. Alan Sampson

Publications: Norway Point Church, by Wilfred Lockhart, Hogarth Printing Co. Ltd, Toronto, 1983. Lures and Legends of Lake of Bays, Mary Lynn Findlay, Herald Gazette Press, 1973 Bigwin Inn, Douglas McTaggart, A Boston Mills Press Book, Erin, Ontario © 1992. Pictures provided with permission of Edgar Davies, Christine Karn, John Tyrrell, Jean Dickson, Peter Bain Editing by Nancy Vichert, Harriet Muirhead and Graeme Ferguson