Dwight Beach Road and Lane LAKE OF BAYS Dwight Beach Road & Lake of Bays Lane

A history of properties of interest documented by the Built Heritage Committee for the Lake of Bays Heritage Foundation

2015 DWIGHT BEACH ROAD AND LAKE OF BAYS LANE With the dawn of the 20th century, a small cottage community developed along the north shore of Dwight Bay. The beautiful sand beaches, the clean waters and rarified air, close proximity to the scenic Oxtongue River and Marsh’s Falls; made Dwight Beach Road and Lake of Bays Lane an attractive base for tourist resorts and eventually cottagers. Muskoka’ s fresh air was reknown for its restorative health benefits for those people suffering respiratory health problems and Dwight’s earliest resorts capitalized on the healthy lifestyle to be found here. Before this time, the village of Dwight had only a few family homesteaders (Gouldies, Keowns and Blackwells) who supplemented their subsistence income with logging efforts in winter and hunting guide services and guest accommodations in the Spring, Summer and Fall. However, it was the entrepreneurial genius of Captain George Francis Marsh that set the stage for the 20th century’s transition of Dwight’s economy. Captain Marsh built a saw mill at the foot of Marsh’s Falls on the Oxtongue River in the late 1880’s and later a boat building works, established steamer service on both Lake of Bays and the Vernon-Fairy- Peninsula Lakes chain that focused on the Huntsville railway station. In 1900, Capt. Marsh’s company (The Huntsville and Lake of Bays Navigation Co.) obtained a charter to construct a railway between the Lake of Bays and Peninsula Lake. This short narrow gauge railroad replaced the buckboard wagon and stage coach service operated by the Osborne family. When Captain Marsh’s Huntsville and Lake of Bays Navigation Company was reincorporated as the Photo: N. Tapley Huntsville, Lake of Bays and Lake Simcoe Navigation Company (the Navigation Company) a new charter reaffirmed the right of his company to operate and maintain steamships, and to develop “hotels, house boats, boarding houses, cottages and summer resorts” on Lake of Bays. After Captain Marsh died in 1904, The Navigation Company came under the control of C.O Shaw, general manager of the Anglo- Canadian Leather Company in Huntsville, makers of sole leather from tanbark derived from hemlock trees. The S.S. Florence Main (1907) was reconstructed into the Mohawk Belle (1913) and the S.S. Iroquois was added to the fleet of steamboats working Lake of Bays. With the increase in passenger capacity the demand for summer vacation accommodations grew and soon a number of family run hotels opened their doors in Dwight and in particular on Lake of Bays Lane.

S.S. Joe at Dwight dock, 1900. Photo from M. Lowe Dwight village was now recognized as a ‘tourist destination’ by both the Grand Trunk Railway and the Navigation Company, such that steamboats called in twice a day to drop off passengers and supplies and pick up guests returning to Huntsville to catch the train south to . A large dock was built out from Dwight Beach to accommodate the steam boat, and a village of homes and services grew up around the beach; several which will be discussed in this booklet. 1154 DWIGHT BEACH ROAD At the junction of Dwight Beach Road and Dwight Bay Road, in the heart of the waterfront village of Dwight; sits a centenary home that was built by early Dwight resident, Frank Keown for a Mr. Hood, who planned to open a store in the building. The 44 tons of kiln- dried wood used to construct the house was milled across the road at the former Quinn’s Mill. The tongue and groove ceilings, staircase and rails, floors and walls and windows are still original in the home and all the materials were locally sourced. Originally, the house was built on wooden piles sitting on sand, with a dug well at the back of the property. The summer 1154 Dwight Beach Road C 1915 Photo: M. Lowe kitchen and wood storage room at the back of the house is now a kitchen that can be accessed from the dining room and the back yard. There is a wooden hatch into the basement which was once, for access to cool storage in the sand excavated below the house. While the fixtures and furnishings for the store were installed, the events surrounding the First World War did not enable Mr. Hood’s business to open. However, due to an untimely fire which consumed the post office at Gouldie Manor in 1915, this building became an important destination for everyone in Dwight seeking news of the war. For the next year, the Royal Mail was distributed from this location. It is likely, that the famous Group of Seven painter, Tom Thomson used the services of the home when he travelled between Algonquin Park and Huntsville. Years later, his friend, Park Ranger, Bud Callaghan lived in the home for about a decade and three of Tom Thomson’s oil paintings adorned the walls. The treasured paintings were later given to Bud’s son. Frank Keown and his wife Ester purchased this building and made it a home for their seven children. They lived here until the early 1940’s. The home was inhabited several more times before it was purchased by Piers Hemmingsen who has Tom Thomson fishing near log chute photo: enjoyed the history as well as B. Simpson life in this distinct property, since 2002. The home now has a covered verandah fronting Dwight Beach Road, where the views of the beach and all the action can be quietly taken in from a comfortable vantage point. 1001, 1003 AND 1005 LAKE OF BAYS LANE

Photo: M. Lowe ASBURY FAMILIES AMONG FIRST RESIDENTS ON LAKE OF BAYS LANE In the early 1900’s, the Asbury families, residents of Lake of Bays Lane, contributed to the commercial and social facets of Dwight. On the sandy shores of Dwight Beach, the first marina, Dwight Boat Livery, was owned and operated by Vic Asbury (1889-1958). It was located on the corner lot, now owned by Vic’s grandson and his wife, Gary and Joanne Wright. Victor Asbury was raised in Dwight, having come to the village in 1903 when his parents purchased the lot from Edmond Goldie for twenty five dollars. The lot was deeded in his mother, Margaret’s name. A homestead was built for the growing family, toward the back of the property; where Vic continued to with his mother and sister. In 1910, he purchased from his brother, Photo: M. Lowe James, a boat rental, building and repair business which continued operating until the 1960’s. This business had been established by James on the adjacent property at 1003 Lake of Bays Lane, where Vaughn Adamson now resides. The rock cribs are still visible in the water in front of her property. Vic married Ethel Robertson (1902-1974) from Oxtongue Lake in 1922, and she became an active partner in the business as well as an important member of the Women’s Association and Dwight Photo: B. Simpson Women’s Institute (DWI). The ladies of the D.W.I. hosted many socials to raise funds for the community and to construct the hall itself which hosted almost every wedding and funeral reception in Dwight, as the only Community Centre in the area. In 1940 they participated in the Tweedsmuir History Projects, recording the history of the village. The couple built a second house, known as ‘the cottage’, closer to lake where Vic’s mother, lived until her death in 1926. Afterward,

Photo: G. Wright Victor and Ethel along with their children, moved into ‘the cottage’ and the original homestead was converted into a workshop for the Dwight Boat Livery, leaving two bedrooms intact for additional sleeping space. Gary recalls that the boat business was a thriving enterprise. Large floating docks went straight out from their property, turned 90 degrees to the left and continued in front of what is now 1003 Lake of Bays Lane. The floating docks were towed every fall to the Oxtongue River for safe, winter storage. There were 2 boat houses, a 2 storey building on the beach, and the existing building, which originally sat on the 1st section of dock. The 2 storey boat house burned down in the late 1940’s , and the existing boathouse building, believed to have been built around 1910, was moved off of the dock into its place where it remains today. The homestead was removed and replaced in 2005. 1003 LAKE OF BAYS LANE The home on this property was built by James Asbury, the afore- mentioned boat builder and his wife Mary Ann in 1910. They lived here with their family of six children until moving to Oxtongue Lake in 1943. Arnott and Jessie Adamson purchased this property in 1951.

Photo: V. Adamson Now owned by their daughter, Vaughn Adamson since 1980, Arnott and Jessie Adamson maintained the residence for use by family and friends during the summer months. Joe and Phyllis Vale from Newmarket, enjoyed the use of this cottage for over 50 years while their families of eight children were growing up. Vaughn recalls that the Adamson and Vale children spent memorable summers together learning to swim water ski, paddle, and fish and appreciate the beauties that Dwight and Lake of Bays had to offer. Summer activities included weekly square dances at the Hall, which is now the Dwight Senior’s Centre, ball games in the field at Logging Chain Lodge, impromptu street dances in front of the cottages and tennis on the courts at Pine Grove Inn. Pine Grove had weekly bonfires and sing-a-longs on the beach in the evenings which were nearly always joined by neighbourhood kids. Arnott Adamson had a motor boat and he spent many, many hours on weekends giving all of the neighbourhood children the opportunity to learn to water ski. Jessie tried it once, just to show the kids she could do it. She got up first try, did a short circle around the Bay and landed perfectly on the beach – and never did it again! The third and fourth generations of Vales continue to spend summer vacation time on Dwight Beach and cherish the beauty of Lake of Bays. Photo: C. Boothby Soon after the property was acquired by Vaughn; she renovated the old Victorian cottage into a year-round home. The footprint of the building remains unchanged while the infrastructure was upgraded to accommodate year-round living. A portion of the front porch and the west facing side porch were enclosed. New external siding was applied and the building is now owned by Vaughn along with Barbara Mason and has been their home since 1983. Next door to the stately Victorian home, at 1005 Lake of Bays Lane is a two story guest house that was originally Jim and Annie Asbury’s ‘Dwight General Supply Store and Ice Cream Parlor’ (1912-1943). The Asbury’s youngest son, Art delivered groceries to summer cottagers in a square stern skiff that was powered by an outboard motor. He found that he could make it go much faster if he loaded down the bow with the heavy groceries. This love of speed was soon to make him world famous and following his service in the Royal Air Force during WWII, Art teamed up with Lake of Bays Lane cottage resident, Art Hatch and the “Costa Lotta” boat racing team was formed. On November 1st, 1957, at 8:38a.m., Art Asbury lived his dream of being the fastest man on water. For half of a century prior to that, Art, with the help of his racing crews, set records all over the continent, proving time and time again that their personnel, their machines and their skills were to be reckoned with. All over the world Art Asbury’s name is familiar to hydroplane racing, being recognized in several Halls of Fame around the globe. For Art and his crew, one thing was the driving force behind them, National pride. His team was always an all-Canadian team who set out so many years ago with only one thing in mind – to bring World Recognition to – and they did on numerous occasions. In addition to being instrumental in the development of the Keyhole Life Jacket, Art served on many national level water safety and standards councils and committees.

Photo: C. Boothby

Art was recognized for his achievements in other boat racing communities around the globe. He was selected to be the harbor Master at Expo ‘ 67 in Montreal, Quebec and during this time, he was elated to receive the Boating recognition Award from the Canadian Power Squadrons. In 1996 he was invited to be the Co- Grand Marshall at the Detroit Thunderfest APBA Gold Cup, as well as attending the 1998 Antique and Classic boat show in Clayton, New York, running his boat around the course much to the delight of the spectators and fans. This would be the last time Art would drive Miss Canadiana. Art Asbury passed away November 13, 2003 at the age of 81. With regard to the Dwight General Supply Store, Arnott and Jessie Adamson, parents of Vaughn Adamson, acquired the building and continued to operate the Ice Cream parlour until 1953. Eddie Goldie was the cook and local residents along with guests from the Pine Grove Inn next door enjoyed the delicious sandwiches, burgers, hot chocolate and banana splits. In 1953, the restaurant closed and was renovated into two small motel units. Dwight Beach Motel, as it became known, was operated by Arnott and Jessie until 1966, receiving guests from far and wide for periods of both short and long- Asbury’s Store. Photo: G. Wright term stays. The building’s upper level was used by the Adamson family throughout the years as their summer cottage. The Motel was closed in 1966 and the building again renovated. This renovation was extensive and transformed the building into its present day appearance. It included removal of a shed on the back of the building which served as a laundry room that was built into the side of the hill. The hill was excavated and a cement retaining wall erected behind the building. The front porch was removed and a second storey deck/balcony built. New external siding was added but the foot print of the building remains as it was originally. Arnott passed away in 1974 but Jessie Adamson and her three daughters and their families continued to use the “cottage” every summer. Jessie loved sitting in her chair by the window overlooking beautiful Dwight Bay acknowledging the waves of the many people walking by. She enjoyed many travels after her husband died but Photo: C. Boothby cherished her summers in Dwight until her death in 2012 at the age of 100. The third and fourth generation of Adamson’s are still using this wonderful property each summer and value it for the memories of growing up on the most beautiful summer playground that one could imagine, Dwight Beach! Lake of Bays Lane The lower Oxtongue River has been a naturalist’s paradise for the residents of Dwight Village and particularly the cottage community living on Lake of Bays Lane. Kayaks and canoes have plied these waters since the Palaeo- Indians first established hunting and trading camps around the Oxtongue’s floodplain. It is no small wonder that these lands are designated for protection by the Muskoka Heritage Trust. Brian Simpson, 2014 Respiratory health problems were a public health concern as unclean air and urban living, especially in highly industrialized areas, were thought to bring on consumption and tuberculosis. A “Sanatorium Age” in Canada began in 1896, when the first institution was being built by the National Sanatorium Association at Gravenhurst. The sanatoria demonstrated the value of rest, fresh air, good nutrition and isolation to prevent the spread of infection. More institutions were built across the country and “Northern River” by Tom Thomson Aerial view of Pratt Crown Patent. Photo: B. Simpson these were essentially large treatment centres that specialized in the diagnosis and recovery of patients with tuberculosis. The sanatorium occupied a unique place in the tuberculosis program in North America and Western Europe, and nowhere was it as well developed, as in Canada. Lake of Bays Lane was a product of this quest for restorative health. Those restorative qualities attracted John Pratt, from England, who, in 1899 was given the original Crown Patent of Lot 11 Concession 9 in the Township of Franklin. This property was bounded on the west side by Dwight Bay and by the Oxtongue River’s mouth to the south. Mr. Pratt, in consultation with directors from the Hamilton Health Association who opened the Mountain Sanitarium; Col. Hatch and Walter Burrill, was interested in building a sanatorium for his ailing wife; who at the time, resided back in England. Mr. Pratt was a watch-maker and he also pronounced the Benediction at Church. A foundation for a sanatorium was laid next to his house, but the building was never completed as his wife, unfortunately, died before the work was finished. He also created a northern English garden with round stone retaining walls. Evidence of these structures exist on the eastern side of Lake of Bays Lane. It should be noted that also on Lake of Bays Lane, Nor’loche Lodge, now known as Bristlecone Lodge, had initially been built as a treatment center for tuberculosis. In addition to the main lodge, built by Dr. Pauline and Margaret Morton of Rochester, NY, they at one time, canvas cabins on wooden floors to meet the demand for people looking to restore their health. These cabins were later reconstructed with the now present, wooden walls and shingled roofs. Streptomycin was discovered in 1946 — the first specific antibiotic that could kill the TB-causing bacterium. This and other antibiotics Nor’ Loch Lodge from Nurse’s Station: Photo M. Lowe became widely used against TB in the 1950s and the demand for sanatorium beds declined sharply. Nor’loche evolved into a resort for tourists and operated for many years afterward. Harry Corbett and his wife Helen Bradley built “Pine Grove Inn” and opened for business in 1906 with six bedrooms. Solid summer bookings over the next few years resulted in the Corbett’s expanding the inn to accommodate 90-100 guests. It was this, once remarkable inn, that resulted in many guests from urban, industrial

Photo: B. Simpson areas including Hamilton and Rochester; coming to seek out the fresh air, cool waters, sandy beach and restorative qualities of Lake of Bays. Guests from the inns would walk the beach, bathe in the waters, canoe to Marsh’s Falls and in the evening, climb the ridge alongside Lake of Bays Lane to watch the sun set over the lake from a panoramic viewpoint (Sunset Rock). In the evenings they would often stroll down’ Lovers Lane’ (today’s Lake of Bays Lane) to enjoy the solitude and fragrant smells Pine Grove Inn . Photo: M. Lowe of the wildflowers carried by the off-shore evening breezes. On Sundays they could attend church services at either St Peter’s Presbyterian Church or the Reverend Stewart’s Dwight Baptist Church (the Baptist church was built on a farm lot across from Fetterly’s saw mill at the west side of the Boyne Creek). A canoe outing to Marsh’s Falls was just a short paddle from the village to the falls on the Oxtongue River.

View from Sunset Rock behind Lake of Bays Lane. Photo: M. Lowe Stuck in the mud. Photo from A. Prewitt/B. Simpson

Meanwhile, World War I caused a significant dip in the tourist activity for the area and for the local economy, but by the 1920’s, automobile travel was on the rise. Despite the rugged roads, the auto allowed an independent, albeit precarious lifestyle for affluent urban families who often endured punctured tires, gasoline shortages, stalls and stucks while getting to Dwight. Many, who had previously enjoyed the hospitality of the lodges and inns on Lake of Bays, such as Pine Grove, or other storied inns like Bigwin or Britannia, began the construction of the first summer cottages on Lake of Bays Lane. . In 1924 Lieutenant-Colonel John Inglis McLaren purchased (in in wife’s name, Sara McLaren) the vast, sandy waterfront lot on the north shore of the Oxtongue River’s estuary from the estate of Josiah Charles Pratt (son of John Pratt), for less than $3000. Lt. Col McLaren, former mayor of Hamilton had a long mercantile life as he managed the Hamilton Coffee and Spices Company, making it one of the largest concerns of its kind in the Dominion of Canada. He was well connected with the Hamilton community and many of his friends (political, business and military) came to visit at the summer cottage and some eventually sought lodging at the Dwight Inn or Goldie Manor or Pine Grove Inn and later bought cottage lots along the lane. 1068 LAKE OF BAYS LANE The original McLaren cabin, a two storey building on piers, has been faithfully combined the heritage value with contemporary living needs and realities. This beautiful beachfront property, once known as “The Last Resort”, still holds the iconic fireplace on what was once known as McLaren’s Point. This was the destination of many evening strolls down Lover’s Lane and the gathering place for View from McLaren’s Point. Photo: B. McLellan many who lived or vacationed near the lane, as bonfires and evening sing-alongs were frequently held here several decades ago. When the property was first developed, the beautiful sandy beach was more extensive. Now that the water levels of Lake of Bays are controlled by the dam, the beach has changed, but remains exquisite and replete with a gorgeous vista of Dwight Bay.

Photo: P. Thomas The cabin once belonging to the McLaren family was deeded in Bessie Sara McLaren’s name in 1924. Sara cottaged, during the summer, along with her daughter; who was married to Harry Hatch, and with her three grandchildren. Harry’s father, Arthur, bought the Pratt cabin next door, so he could spend time at the lake with his grandchildren and his son. Betty Parks, Bessie Sara McLaren’s granddaughter, eventually made the cabin her home after her parents and grandmother passed away.

Painting of McLaren Cottage from J. Bowden

Bob McMullen and Joan Bowden purchased the property from Betty Parks in 2001. It is interesting to note that the cabin once built by the man who was seen as being ‘long in mercantile life’ has been restored by another well- established mercantile; Bob McMullen’s, Summerhill Markets have been a ‘legendary, foodie landmark’ in Toronto for more than sixty years. Bob and Joan, with the expertise of master builder, Gary Best have undertaken a restoration of the property that has been sensitive to the unique and important historic site. It started when they lifted the original cabin, fireplace and all and moved it fifty feet toward the water. Next, they installed a full basement on the existing footprint and managed to get the cabin right back onto the former site. Today, the cottage has the exact five upstairs bedrooms and staircase that was in the McLaren cabin. Even the tin-lined closet remains intact along with the preexisting doors featuring iron hardware that takes us back to pre-war times. When Bob and Joan first moved to the lake, they found sixteen hand-crafted, wood beds in the upstairs rooms. Extreme care was taken to match the existing trim and floors where any repairs were carried out. The unique windows were custom made to be refitted with the prevailing style of the building giving them both a visual and functional quality that was representative of this cabin and the technology of the era that it was built. While still maintaining the original footprint and following the existing layout, more light was brought in by opening up exterior walls with more windows. A living room and master bedroom on the main floor were worked into the floor plan. The exterior was changed from the once board and batten. Dave McKenzie and Mary Ruth Newell were brought in to expertly install and chink the now hewn log exterior, using methods and workmanship that seem only to have once been found in another era. While Sara’s summer bedroom or bunkie had deteriorated to the point where it was eventually replaced on the same footprint, the old plywood garden shed remains intact. The outer buildings and the main cottage are surrounded by lush gardens, stone outcrops and wild blueberries.

1054 LAKE OF BAYS LANE Back when the road to Huntsville was still a dirt and pot hole filled road, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ambuhl had spent many summers with their family and friends at Pine Grove Inn before deciding in 1936, to buy a lot from Mr. McFarlane who had purchased several properties from the Pratt estate during the Great Depression. Mr. Ambuhl was a senior director at Ontario Hydro and was a close friend and work colleague of Mr. Kitchen, who bought the lot next door. Frank designed his cabin and hired Mr. Peterson and his sons, who used to own a horse farm with beautifully carved gates, on Penn Lake, to build the cabin. Electricity was installed in the cabin, as by 1930-31, the transmission lines had arrived in Dwight. Prior to that, kerosene or coal –oil lamps were used to light the night, unless one had Delco plant which generated power for most resorts at the time and for some cottages. It was Mr. Peterson who carved the six distinctive wood doors that grace each room of the cabin. Each door depicts a pair of woodland animals in a forest scene and is signed by the artist. The charming wood Photo: K. Bongard carvings were continued out to the privy where hearts embellish the door. It is worth mentioning that this fast disappearing type of architecture is still in great condition and its delightful grumpy and happy-faced seat board covers add to its appeal. Mr. Ambuhl’s grandchildren recall how everyone coveted the happy faced hole and one never wanted to be consigned to the grumpy hole in this remarkable two seater! An exquisite stone fireplace was erected in the main room. The builder also carved and installed squirrels on each end, at the crown of the roof. These superb figurines stood almost 2 feet tall and they were a tremendous example of the skill and artistry of Mr. Peterson. Whether it was frustrated hunters or the life-like details of these ornaments that confused the shooters that caused their demise, it is unknown. Unfortunately, about thirty years ago, the squirrels were shot at and riddled with bullets. Soon they deteriorated and sadly, the squirrels no longer grace the roof. Like many cottages built during this time, a simple kitchen/pantry was installed, as a full kitchen was not required; cottagers took their meals at the local lodges. The Ambuhl’s, like many of their neighbours, walked down the lane when Mrs. Corbett rang the bell and sat at their family table in the dining room at Pine Grove Inn, for lunch and dinner daily. Mr. Ambuhl enjoyed fishing in the lake and hunting for small game in the nearby woods; a love that was shared by his daughter, Kay, who continues to reside at the cottage during the summer months, having spent more than eight decades on Photo: K. Bongard Lake of Bays. Kay, over her summers spent at the cottage, along with her friends on the lane and her family, would swim at the beach, and play tennis or ride on horseback up behind Pine Grove Inn. Lover’s Lane, as Lake of Bays Lane was then called, was a community of families that were all friendly with each other as they got to know one another well. Neighbours gathered often and elders would sit on each other’s porches and visit. She recalls the years on Lake of Bays Lane when Mohawk Belle and the Iroquois would bring supplies to the resorts and to the cottagers along with ice cream which arrived in quilted bags. Dwight beach at that time was always teaming with canoes and boats and the waterfront was always a busy, lively place. Boat outings were always

Photo: K. Bongard Photo: K. Bongard an event and on special days, everyone climbed aboard her father’s motor boat and traveled to Bigwin or one of the other resorts for dinner. Kay’s summer residence on the lake is a distinctive cabin that represents uniqueness in craftsmanship and artistry. It has had few renovations since Mr. Ambuhl built it and as such, remains a much loved place that represents a beautiful time in all of the lives of Kay, her children and grandchildren.

Photo: K. Bongard

1070 LAKE OF BAYS LANE When Sheila and Ian Bruce arrived for the first time at their cottage, in 1950, they found bright coloured, heavy drapery covering every window. Their mother pulled them all down and burned them. The scorch marks from that bon fire are still visible on the ancient stone fireplace that dominates the large main room of the cottage. The property began as the Pratt cabin, built in 1898. The stone fireplace in the kitchen was once used for cooking and heating the cabin and a vast stone wall absorbed the heat from the stove and added to the warmth of the room. The hand water pump was also in the kitchen with the pipe going straight down and under the sink. A small bedroom was off the kitchen and an icehouse, woodshed and privy were outdoors. The large main room, bedrooms and a games room and a copper screened porch that enclosed the other side of the stone fireplace were subsequently added by an American family. They also installed electrical service, in the form of a total of eight wall sockets and eight ceiling lights that now service the cottage. Sheila and Ian’s (later) step-Grandfather, Arthur Hatch, bought the property as a retreat on Lake of Bays. He made tremendous use of the games

Photo: S. Bruce room for billiards and card games with friends and with his son who at the time, cottaged next door. A section of the ice house was soon turned into a water closet and the room off of the kitchen became the maid’s quarters. Subsequently, their step father, Col. Harry Hatch inherited the compound and Sheila and Ian have enjoyed every summer on Lake of Bays Lane, since that time. In 1951, the cottage was raised up and a new foundation was put in place. An indoor bathroom was fitted in what had become the maid’s quarters; in the room off of the kitchen. A few years later

Photo: P. Thomas when a new kitchen stove and refrigerator were ordered from Eaton’s and brought to the cottage, the rest of the old ice house became a summer bedroom. The games room was removed and the space became a courtyard which is now adorned by beautiful gardens and potted plants. It is always visited by any little woodland creatures; chipmunks, hummingbirds and ducks as they find a bounty of treats offered by their host, Sheila. During the years at the cottage, the Hatch compound was lively with other guests and visitors who would arrive by boat and by sea plane. The veranda was always full. Tennis games were often organized and the beach front was enjoyed by many. During that time, there was no town waste station. Hugh Corbett’s crew would dig a hole on the property and the season’s remains would be thrown in and buried. If you dig up the yard, ‘you would find more black and white scotch bottles than you’d know what to do with’. This of course, has been a revelation to the current owners of the old McLaren property. Now they know why every spring, dozens of these bottles seem to percolate up and onto their sand beach. Many holiday parties have been hosted at 1070 Lake of Bays Lane. Friends and neighbours remember the spectacular décor and candles that have adorned the old cabin, making the festive season magical. The cottage’s unique architecture with it’s original hardwood walls, ceilings, moldings and doors along with its distinctive iron hardware make this property, fascinating. Lake of Bays Lane and its association with its famous boat racer, Art Asbury is linked also to the Hatch compound. Ian and Sheila’s step-uncle, Arthur Hatch, as was Photo: https://www.facebook.com/misscanadiana/photos mentioned, was involved as an owner and manager of the Art Asbury race team and fleet. When Ian was a young lad, he would spend time with Arthur and Harvey Payne who serviced the racing boats. Once, when he accompanied the gentlemen to a race in Pickton; Ian, driving with his uncle in the paneled station wagon with the back open and the double decker trailer holding the race boat; to his uncle’s surprise, could not be found at the back of station wagon. The entire rig was pulled over to the side of the road as Art searched and tried to figure out how Ian went missing. In short order, Ian was located; he had managed to climb out of the car and onto the deck of the Miss Canadiana and until then, had been enjoying the rush down the highway at the controls of the famous hydroplane! A FEW MORE THOUGHTS ABOUT DWIGHT BEACH ROAD AND LAKE OF BAYS LANE While change has happened in this community with residential waterfront development replacing much of the business that once dotted the road, the road continues to be enjoyed and admired by many. Dwight continues to attract voluminous beach-goers and tourists and to its sandy shore and Lake of Bays Lane is, as always, a favorite place for many to stroll. Once, this tightknit community of inns, services, stores and ice cream stands depended on each other, every day. With change, it would appear that the sense of community would have dissipated, but this was proven contrary, when a violent storm smashed through on July 15, 1995. It attacked during the night, after an unusually warm and humid day, with unabated high winds, abrupt lightning and pummeling rain; the likes of which had never been experienced in the area. The power went out before the full storm actually hit and it remained out of service for a further three weeks. Lake of Bays Lane was impassable after the storm. When the assaulting tempest finally subsided, neighbours checked on each

Photo: George Pudsey other and those that were literally blocked in their cottages by fallen trees were rescued by flashlight and axe. Most fortunately, nobody was seriously injured. The damage to Lake of Bays Lane, however, was extensive. There was a massive, tangled mess everywhere. Huge white pines were down, with their large roots lying vertically against the cottages, the beachfront and along the road. Almost all of the great old trees in the areas were broken, twisted or uprooted. Many had fallen onto cottage roofs, outer buildings, cars and boats. Lake of Bays Lane was impassable after the storm. Mayor Tom Pinckard, whose cottage was among the many severely damaged by the storm, declared a state of emergency and he marshalled local resources along with volunteers using heavy equipment, chainsaws, adrenalin and sweat to clear a path down the road. Meanwhile, cottagers and residents hacked and sawed a trail through the debris to the lake in order to access water. The heat and humidity remained tense and lack of power meant everyone was pretty much camping, using Coleman stoves and oil lamps to get through. The extreme damage to the buildings and landscape of Lake of Bays Lane was eventually cleared. The extensive amount of trees that were damaged and cleared away were thought to be irreplaceable, but again, under Tom’s leadership, the neighbourhood rented a tree spade truck and many trees were replaced from those transplanted from Mr. Boothby’s gravel pits. Photo: M. Lowe Everyone pulled together and managed to reclaim Lake of Bays Lane. The once heavily forested road continues to be enchanting. The history is deep within this part of Lake of Bays and the pride and affection that the residents have for their ‘slice of heaven’ at the mouth of the Oxtongue River has never changed. DWIGHT BEACH ROAD AND LAKE OF BAYS LANE Compiled and written by Brian Simpson and Penny Thomas Contributions generously provided by Vaughn Adamson, Joan Bowden, Sheila Bruce, Ian Bruce, Kay Bongard, Kathy Bongard, Betty-Lou Durr, Piers Hemmingsen, Bob McMullen, Tom Pinckard, George Pudsey, Nancy Tapley. Gary Wright and Joanne Wright

Photos and documents kindly shared by Kay Bongard, Chuck Boothby, Michael Lowe, Tom Pinckard, George Pudsey and Brian Simpson

Publications Dwight Women’s Institute. 1989. Dwight Memories, 1875-1985. Lake of Bays Heritage Advisory Committee. 2013. Dwight Heritage Walking and Driving Tour. Available from https://lakeofbays.civicweb.net/document/12641/ Dwight%20Heritage%20Walking%20Tour.pdf?handle=9B3A101DAB8348DE84 F168EFFE3EC2E3

Lowe, Michael. 2010. Dwight Landmarks Photo History 1871-2010.

Pine Grove Inn beach, Dwight, Lake of Bays, Ontario in 1920s. Muskoka Digital Archives, available from http://vitacollections.ca/muskokadigitalarchives/44616/ data

Simpson, Brian. Lake of Bays Lane: Archival Photos and Commentaries. Available from: https://lakeofbayslane.wordpress.com/

Simpson, Brian. (2012). Lake of Bays Lane in a Historical Perspective.

Terry, Marijane and Gabura, Jeff. 2011. A Muskoka Century the Story of the S.S. Bigwin.

The Official Site of Hydroplane Racing Legend, Art Asbury. (2013) Available from: http://artasbury.com/home-2/ Who’s Who and Why. (1912) International Press