Island Park Sources Tales by Anne Duke Judd 1995 Bridge The first bridge was way to southern mills. A Muskoka Past and Present by Geraldine Coombe 1976 a single lane at lock level in myriad of steamships, A History of the Village of Port Carling by Leila M. Cope 1972 ed Port smaller yachts and rowboats Port 1871. In 1902 Mr. Hanna’s Port Carling The Hub of the Lakes by Richard Tatley 1996 scows were fitted up to allow carried visitors up and down Explore Muskoka by Susan Pryke teams to cross while bridge the river. Explore by Susan Pryke Carling timbers were replaced. The Watch the RMS Memories by Lionel H. Cope 1992 Revised Carling road was widened and lift Segwun; the 1915 yacht, Educating Muskoka District by Gary Denniss 1999 Historical bridge constructed in 1973. Wanda III; and ’s The Steamboat Era in the Muskokas Vol. I & II by Richard Tatley newest cruise ship, the Guidebook and Atlas of Muskoka Parry Sound Districts 1879 WalkingWalking TourTour Locks The locks were 200-passenger Wenonah II, 1921 Port Carling Ripple by S.M. Beach, Editor in Chief opened in 1871 to allow the lock through along with A Good Town Continues 2000 editor Nancy Thompson many smaller craft. steamship Wenonah to haul These and many other books of Muskoka history are available Island Park was home to supplies and passengers into at local book stores or in the library. the upper lakes. They were tennis courts, bowling enlarged to accommodate greens, pathways, a fish the Sagamo in 1902. hatchery and various boat Norma and Miller Alloway Muskoka Lakes Library Prior to lock construc- liveries. In 1921, Mr. G. 69 Joseph St. 765-5650 www.muskoka.com/library/home.htm tion, this community was Bell started a motion picture Muskoka Lakes Museum known as Indian Village. show accompanied by tunes Interactive displays, videos of early steamships, gift shop. The Baisong Rapids were a on a baby grand piano. Island Park, 765-5367 www.muskoka.com/tourism/mlm traditional seasonal camping Later, George and Harold ground for natives who Temple operated the theatre Muskoka Lakes Music Festival named the area Obajew- and a six-table poolroom. (Port Carling Memorial Community Centre) anung (gathering place). The Demolished in 1958. 765-1048 1-888-311-ARTS www.artsinmuskoka.com name was changed to Port Enjoy a walk around the Muskoka Lakes Navigation & Hotel Company Carling in 1869 after the island and do visit the Daily cruises June until Thanksgiving Honourable John Carling, Muskoka Lakes Museum. 687-6667 or 684-2002 who ordered the locks built. MLA Antique and Classic Boat Show The small lock was built Museum The Muskoka Muskoka Lakes Association, 121 Medora St. 765-5723 1921-22 for the many Lakes Museum built in private steam and gasoline 1967 was dedicated “To Muskoka Autumn Tour 3rd or 4th weekend in September launches. honour the settlers who September 28 & 29, 2002 www.muskoka.com/tour The hustle and bustle at cleared the forest with their these locks was incredible axes and with their hoes Muskoka Arts & Crafts with steamships carrying planted the seed of 645-5501 www.muskokaarts&crafts.com much need supplies up to Canada’s future.” Hall Township of Muskoka Lakes Recreational Trails lodges, cottages, settlers, House, an original settler’s Brochures at Library and Municipal office mills and bush camps along home forms part of the 765-3156 www.townshipmuskokalakes.on.ca museum. The Catto Wing with many new immigrants Communities in Bloom was added in 1974 in travelling north to their land 765-5717 or 765-7112 grants. Coming down were honour of Lt. Gov. and great barges of tanbark for Mrs. Douglas E. Catto, Muskoka Snowmobile Region P o r t C a r l i n g 645-3132 tanneries in Bracebridge, benefactors. Major M • U • S • K • O • K • A barge loads of lake trout for renovations and vital new exhibits in 2002.1902 Mr. Toronto markets, farm This brochure has been created with the efforts of the produce and animals for Hanna’s scows were fitted Port Carling Village Enhancement Group market and isolated settlers up to allow teams to cross with the support of the Port Carling Business Association coming to town for a fair or while bridge timbers were annual shopping trip. replaced. The road was Design: Interlink Graphics, Port Carling Massive log booms choked widened and lift bridge Photographs courtesy of: Muskoka Lakes Museum the river for days on their constructed in 1973. and Archives of

hildhood home of Ontario’s PortPort Parking CLt. Gov. James Bartleman, Restaurant Port Carling is reputed to be the oldest CarlingCarling Public Washroom village in Muskoka. Incorporated in 1896, Historical Indian it was named after the Hon. John Carling WalkingTour Picnic who ordered the locks built. River

“Favoured by nature in its unique N position on the beautiful Indian River, which connects and 9 ISLAND PARK (See Detail) , E. . Port Carling is 8 KEY one of the STEPHEN RD MAPLE ST. most popular 1 Lt. Governor (Hwy 118) LOCK ST . RD. abiding places 2 Johnston House ARMSTRONG PT & Settler’s Fort 5 . in Muskoka. . 3 Doctor’s House 19 Owing to its 4 6 10 4 Methodist Church 14 18 7 LOCK ST 11 17 picturesque 5 Wm. Hanna Co. 15 . location on 12 B 6 Twenty-One Club 118) AILEY ST 3 13 JOSEPH ST 20 the Govern- 7 Duke Boats (Hwy ment locks, 8 Port Carling House 16 Indian . 9 Port Carling there is always River Boatworks HANN plenty of life 2 and attraction 10 Norma’s Lunch . 11 Port Carling Garage 18) A P at the “Port”. 1 12 Johnston Boatworks Indian River A L K W AY The constant FERNDALE W ARK 13 Knox Pres. Church (Hwy MEDORA ST WENON RD. R.M.S passing of 14 Telephone Office

FREIGHTSHED . Y SEGWUN A ISLAND PARK W large and AH II or 15 St. James A 21 L K W small boats, ALKW Anglican Church A Y W up and down 16 Library 1 Muskoka Lakes the lakes, adds 17 Port Carling School MUSEUM

E. 18 Fire Department . much to the Y A 19 Cemetery many attrac- U S E U M TO M 20 Memorial LOCK ST ALKW tions.” W Community LARGE LOCK Port Carling W A L K W AY Centre & Arena SMALL LOCK House Ad RAMP 21 Hanna Park BRIDGE I 1921 JOSEPH ST n d (Hwy i

a n DAM 1 R 18) . i v e r 1. Lt. Gov. James Bartleman 8. Port Carling House (1 Lock St. E.) 14. Telephone/Telegraph Office Childhood home of Lt. Gov. James Bartelman was Although torn down in 1970, on Lock St. E., you may (98 Joseph Street) located near Ferndale Rd. His mother, Maureen, lives in still see the retaining wall and steps up to the lawn of this Bracebridge & Muskoka Lakes Telephone Company the vicinity. fine old hotel. was formed in 1907. In 1932 Medora and Wood It started as Telephone System took over and built a new exchange 2. Johnston House & Settler’s Fort The Polar with Jim Oliver as first manager. Bell Telephone took over (114 Medora St.) Star, our first in 1956. Boat builder and first postmaster, Benjamin hotel, in Hardcastle Johnston, built this house in the late 1800’s. 1871. 15. St. James’ the Apostle Anglican Church The remains of Mr. Johnston’s fort, built to protect the Enlarged in The original church was built on the other side of the village from Fenian raids (until 1871), may be seen 1886 to bridge in 1875. The Earl of Dufferin, Governor General of above the house. The fort was a fine location to watch become the Canada, donated seats on his 1874 visit. Fire destroyed the for traders coming up river. Wm. Hanna used the old Interlaken church, but parishioners saved the stained glass window fort for one of two water towers in the village from 1900 Hotel it was (in memory of Rev. E.S. Stubbs in 1883) and installed it until 1947 when Council passed By-law 150 “that the sold again in the new church, consecrated in 1913. Village buy out both water companies and erect a and renamed cement water reservoir”. The tank is located amongst the the Port Carling House. Windmills to pump water were a 16. Old Town Hall trees, beside 76 Joseph St. Our newest water treatment main feature here and at the Stratton House next door. This property was the fair grounds 1875 - 1907. The plant opened summer 2002. Fall Fair was so important that extra passenger steamers 9. Port Carling Boatworks (3 Lock St. E.) were run from Bracebridge and Gravenhurst. The land 3. Doctor’s House (110 Medora St.) W.J. Johnston started the Port Carling Boat Works in was deeded in 1895 for a Town Hall. In 1895, Dr. William Canniff, our first resident 1925. They built rowboats, punts and the affordable In 1887 Mechanic’s Institute started a reading room doctor, located his office here. Dr. R.E. Joyce came in SeaBird and academic night school courses for workers to complete 1923 and stayed. Prior to that, people had to deal with motor their education. This became the Port Carling Library in typhoid fever, tuberculosis, influenza, pneumonia, launch. 1895 with membership cards first issued in 1898. childbirth and accidents on their own. Rebuilt after Mr. F. Andrew as our first librarian. the 1931 fire, In 1949 the Straw Hat Players started summer theatre 4. Methodist Church (United Church after 1925) the boat- here with such famous names as Ted Follows, Barbara This property was deeded from the Crown to Rev. works was Hamilton, Robert Goulet, and Donald Sutherland. Lachen Taylor in 1872. The Hanna Memorial window sold to Hugh The Town Hall was demolished in 2000. The present was inserted during redecoration in 1920 ~ subsequent MacLennan library was opened 2001. Do come in for a visit and for additions in 1967 and 2001. in 1965 and visitor information. Across from the United Church was Edenvale Lodge, is now oper- now the Greene Slate Inn. Do drop in to see the original ated by his son, Hugh. Feel free to wander down and have a 17. Port Carling Public School basswood interior and enjoy the splendid view over look. Much is original. Our present Lt. Gov. James Bartleman, attended school Minnehaha Bay. here 1947 - 1958. 10. Norma’s Lunch Sarah Longhurst, the first teacher, was paid monthly, 5. Wm. Hanna Company (99 Maple St.) Norma’s Lunch was started in 1933 by Billy Johnston Jr. if funds permitted. In 1895 the school board budget was Mr. William Hanna established a thriving grocery for his granddaughter, Norma Massey. After her death in $350. The first schoolhouse, built by Robert Bailey in business in 1881 up the street from this location, moving 1941 the restaurant had a succession of owners until it was 1896, down Ferndale Road, was destroyed by fire. here in 1900. In 1888, Hanna’s chartered their first sup- removed in 1973 for bridge construction. Remains of the In 1906 this property was purchased and a two-room ply boat and within five years were operating their own old foundation and dock. school with “due regard for lighting and ventilation” was steamboats, built. Electric Mink and 11. Port Carling Garage (97 Joseph St.) lights were Newminko. Mr. William Massey opened the first garage, The Port added in The Hanna Carling Garage, in 1923 and owned the first motorcar here. 1922. In Company He used the motor launch, Vedette, as a water taxi. Space 1937 a became the was rented to Continuation largest of its a tailor shop School started kind in and Lee for Grades 9 Muskoka Wing’s to 12 which selling Chinese meant stu- everything laundry. The dents no lon- from fresh garage was ger had to meat to coal oil, and candles to clothing. Cottagers destroyed by board in Bracebridge. would raise a white flag when they wanted the steamers fire in 1980. The school was closed in 1969. The school building is to stop. Across the now part of the Township of Muskoka Lakes Municipal The first Telegraph and Post Office was here 1900 street was the Offices. until 1906. Blacksmith Shop, established by Mr. George Massey with An October fire in 1931 destroyed the Hanna Co. Mr. C.J. Amey’s harness shop upstairs. The shop was 18. Volunteer Fire Department store and a dozen more buildings, virtually wiping out replaced by Arnold Stephen’s Grocery in 1926. Mildred As a result of the devastating 1931 fires, 20 volunteers the village core. Electric fire pumps failed when hydro Wright’s store next door was famous for woollens and such. formed the first Fire Brigade under Chief Charlie Duke ~ lines were burned. Residents formed a bucket brigade who was shortly replaced by Bev ‘Ponty’ Cope. Over the until gasoline powered pumps arrived from Bracebridge 12. Johnston Boat Works/Disappearing years these heroic volunteers saved lives and property. and Bala. In 1961 the building was taken over for a Red Propeller Boat Co. Ltd. (95 Joseph St.) & White store and later an IGA. This home was built as the matrimonial home of 19. Cemetery William Johnston, Sr. The boat works were just over the Mr. James Stephen sold land for the Port Carling 6. Twenty-One Club hill on the waterfront. At one time, this firm had as many Cemetery for $2.00 to Watt Township in 1878. All This club, with a dance floor, a sidewalk café and a as 300 row boats to rent. denominations are interred here. A visit will show you restaurant, became quite a “hot spot” in the 1940’s and William Johnston, Jr. designed the Disappearing Propel- much of our history. 50’s. Big-name stars such as Charlie Musgrave, Hugh ler Boat (Dippy) in 1914 that had the propeller pushed up Clairmont, Woody Herman and Dizzy Gillespie into a metal box for protection when the skeg hit a rock, 20. Memorial Community Centre & Arena played here. log etc. It was the largest motorboat building company in The new Port Carling Memorial Community Centre The Bank of Nova Scotia, first bank in Port Carling, Canada by 1922, with sales in England, Holland, Australia, officially opened June, 2001. The Cenotaph represents was located China, Japan and the USA. Sadly, the business failed soldiers from four wars. next door. It in 1924. Sports are a major enjoyment of Port Carling residents. opened in Many All-Ontario Champions have come from here 1922 to including the Atom and Novice teams in 2002. handle the Captain William Board built the first hockey rink payroll for about 1900. Local hockey teams were renowned for their the Disap- stick handling ~ which resulted from dodging telephone pearing poles on an earlier outdoor rink. Teams from Port Carling, Propeller Minett, Walker’s Point, Bala and Milford Bay played Boat Com- regularly. pany Ltd. In 1928 shareholders erected a new rink just behind where the arena is now. The present Port Carling Arena 7. Duke Boats was built in 1974 for $103,500 with major renovations Built on site of John Matheson’s boat works (one of 13. Knox Presbyterian Church 1876 in 2002. finest craftsmen of his era). Charlie Duke began boat This is one of the oldest standing buildings in Port building in 1910 with brother Bert, and partnered with Carling and a favourite subject for artists. In the early 21. Hanna Park Ernie Greavette in 1924. They specialized in small low- 1870’s logs were donated and cut into boards and timber Steamers would be hauled up on shore for the winter. power motor launches. In 1940 they built 27’ motor for free at the Wallis Mill. Others donated sash, doors, and Mrs. Sara Hanna donated land for Hanna Park in memory cutters for the Royal Canadian Navy. Restoration is their glass. The belfry was built in 1912 for the bell donated by of her husband, William. It opened in 1924 as a motor big business now. Mrs. J.R. Moodie of Hamilton. Knox College students park for the travelling public. Some 300 volunteers built There is a fine view down the Indian River. conducted summer services until Port Carling and Bala, the Muskoka Discovery Playground in 2000. together, obtained their first ordained minister, Rev. MacKay in 1905.