1

Ontario Visual Heritage Project: Muskoka Outline Created: November 13th, 2006

Revised: April 7th, 2007 Note: This outline includes updates and several suggestions recorded at the November 14th, OVHP: Muskoka Committee meeting, and several changes resulting from the ensuing discussion. Thank you to everyone who attended this meeting and contributed to the discussion.

1. Summary:

The following is a working document created after consultation with many people (listed below) from the Muskoka District, after reviewing several resources (listed below) and after visiting several sites in the district (also listed below). This information was combined into a database of approximately 200 stories. These stories were sorted by theme, date and location, with the major stories colour coded based on themes and placed on a map of Muskoka. This map, along with the database, was used to create this document. This document will evolve throughout the process as video interviews are completed that may lead us into new territory. We welcome feedback and suggestions to mail@visualheritage.ca.

2. Research Interviews:

Written summaries of the research interviews are available upon request. These interviews were conducted between August 28th and September 8th. Thank you to everyone who took time to meet with us.

John Bowlby, Al Bacon and Gail Fife (LAMP - Lost Airmen Project) Barbara Paterson (Huntsville History) Cecil Porter and Marion Fry (Gravenhurst, POW Camp) Claudette Bue (Bethune House Museum, Gravenhurst) Dave Powley (Bracebridge Railways) Liz Lundell and Doug Smith (Port Carling Museum) Ed Terziano (Tannery, Anglo Canadian Leather Company Band) Freda Finley (Muskoka Lakes Association) Gary Denniss (Schools and Churches in Muskoka) George Straight (6 Mile lake resident) Francine Albrough (Georgian Bay Historical Society) Ron Breckbill (Severn Lodge) Lynn Cowieson (Georgian Bay Historical Society) Paul and Barb Mather (Honey Harbour Historical Society)

2

Janet Macey (Honey Harbour Resident) Bernard Nichollson (Honey Harbour Resident) Ian Turnbull (Grace and Speed Museum) Jamie Hunter (Huronia Museum) Janet and Dave Fisher (Huntsville) Jim Angus (Trent-Severn Waterway) Karl Jaffrey (Lake of Bays Association) Ken Black (Muskoka Heritage Foundation) Pat Purden (MacTier) Brian Lemkay (MacTier) John McNicholls (MacTier) Mary-Anne Fry (Grevenhurst Santiorium) Nancy Tapley (Lake of Bays Resort Owner) Nancy and Brian Thompson (Huntsville) Patrick Boyer (Bracebridge, Environmental, everything) Phyllis Parker (Long Time Cottager) Richard Tatley (Steamships) Russ Nicholls (Portage Flyer Railway) Stenia Nyquist (Theater Person) Susan Pryke (Mayor, Muskoka Lakes Township) Teri Souter and Sara White (Muskoka Heritage Place) Bill Allen (Archeologist) Stewart King (First Nations – Parry Island) Gwen Robinson (Go Home Lake)

3. Location Visits:

These are primarily locations other than those mentioned above in research interviews. The Big Chute Railway, Port Severn Muskoka Heritage Place Santa’s Village Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Reserve Grace and Speed Museum / Gravenhurst Wharf Bondi Village - Tapley Family Resort (near Dwight) Muskoka Rails Museum (Bracebridge) Fish Hatchery Trail/ Skeleton Lake Port Carling Locks Bethune House Museum

3

4. Primary Muskoka History Themes:

First Nations Fur Trade Free Land Grants/ South Shield Farming Lumbering Steamboats and Waterway Development Boatbuilding Railway Networks Tourism Cottage Life Development Industrial Development World War I/II Environmental Awareness and Action Economic Diversification

5. Key Sources

* A number of written sources were drawn from in creating this outline, however there were a few key resources that we kept referring to for details. These key resources are listed below:

Huntsville: With Spirit and Resolve, by Susan Pryke.

Steamboat Era in the Muskokas: To the Golden Years, Vol. I by Richard Tatley.

Steamboat Era in the Muskokas: Golden Years to Today, Vol. II by Richard Tatley.

Boatbuilding in Muskoka, by Bill Gray

Summertimes, produced by the Muskoka Lakes Association (various authors)

The First Islanders and After, by D. H. C. Mason.

4

6. The Outline This outline is split into two “Acts” which will form the storyline of the documentary and an “extras” section for important stories that do not fit into the documentary storyline. Each “Act” is expected to be roughly 60 minutes in length. Note that anything marked as “narration” is rough and for use in guiding the process of creation only. Narration will be replaced by interview if possible. ACT I : The Lake is Our Pathway The First “Act” of the Documentary will be structured around the adventures of the “First Tourists” to the Muskoka Area, starting in 1860 - John Campbell and James Bain Jr.. Full-fledged scenes (with actors and dialogue) including Bain and Campbell will be used as links between different topics relating to Muskoka’s history up until 1904 (John Campbell’s death). Both the political and entrepreneurial efforts of A.P. Cockburn will be used to illustrate Muskoka’s early development. Both Cockburn and Campbell die within one year of each other. The information about Bain and Campbell was gathered from the book “The First Islanders and After” by D.H.C. Mason. Primary Interview Subjects: Barb Paterson, Dave Powley, Liz Lundell, Doug Smith, Francine Albrough, Ron Breckbill, Paula and Barb Mather, Janet Macey, Bernard Nichollson, Brian Thompson, Nancy Thompson, Stewart King, Bill Allen, Nancy Tapley, Susan Pryke, Karl Jaffrey, Ian Turnbull, Patrick Boyer, Jim Angus, Gwen Robinson, Cecil Porter, Richard Tatley, Russ Nicholls, Jamie Hunter, Gary Denniss Chapter 1: The First Tourists (and First Nations)

• SCENE 1: Opens with a crane shot from afar of three men and a dog walking down a beautiful tree lined path, it is July 1860. The first verse of Bain and Campbell’s song being sung over the footage:

o Tis Five and Twenty Years ago, Though I’ve forgot the day, When three youths launched a rickety scow On fair Muskoka Bay. One was a bluffer, the other a duffer And the third who sings this lay Tonight is just the kind of man That anyone cares to say.

• Cut to steadicam close up of men, with Campbell humming the tune of the song. Crombie quickly tells Campbell to “shut-up,” and swats at a black fly on his neck. We see that the subjects are James Bain Jr., John Campbell, Crombie and his dog walking down the Muskoka Road. The men are sweaty, thirsty, and are being continuously harassed by black flies and mosquitoes. Their only protection against the bugs is their handkerchiefs and leafy boughs. One stops to take a drink from a puddle or stream, but cannot bring himself to drink the tea stained

5

water. The men are tired and have been walking for 12 miles. Each of the men has a homemade knapsack, one a gun, another fishing gear, and Crombie has his dog.

• Crombie complains about the conditions, while Campbell attempts to allay his fears.

• SCENE 2: Cut to the men coming upon a “log hut of peculiar construction,” it is now late afternoon / evening. Campbell says “ah, we’re here!” Crombie replies with disdain “we’re where?” and there is a long pause. Suddenly, Micky McCabe pops out from the cabin with a chipper “hello!” Micky, approx. 50, is tall and lean, and shows the signs of the roughness of settlement life in his clothing and on his face.

• SCENE 3: The men enter the cabin, and Micky promises the boys “something to refresh the inner man,” he gives them a wink. But their plans are interrupted by a shrill cry from the corner of the room. It is Mrs. McCabe, she yelps, “Micky, they’ll have none of that, dig me up some potatoes and I’ll make’em something proper. But help me to the pot first.” Mickey agrees saying “Yes Mother,” and the boys rush out of the cabin, to the fire outside.

• SCENE 4: Once outside, the boys get a chance to appreciate the setting – with the sun setting over the water. Campbell comments to Crombie – “ I told you we were here” – and the men nod in appreciation. Cut to long silhouette shot of men watching setting sun over lake. (If a cabin like this does not exist, the boys could walk down a trail to the lake)

• Cut to Opening Montage. • SCENE 5: Come up on shots of the boys sitting near the fire, Mrs. McCabe

bursts out of the cabin with a cooking pot and suspicious bottles of liquid. She begins to create a mixture in the pot called “stirabout” – a combo. of water, vinegar, and molasses. She stirs and tastes the mixture with her hand, numerous times. She offers some up to the boys, Bain and Campbell drink it thankfully, Crombie drinks with some reluctance.

• Mrs. McCabe questions the boys about why they’ve come up the Muskoka Road, “yez be measurin’ an’ surveyin’ I suppose?”, they answer no, “yez’ll be preachers then,” again they answer no, “well then, what be ya?”

Cut to Interview Subjects Discussing:

• Where they ended up – McCabe’s Tavern • Who were the McCabes and what were they doing in Muskoka?

o Were given a location ticket on October 1st, 1859 o At this time, Ireland was in the throws of famine o First settlers in the Townships of Morrison and Muskoka o Most early settlers and visitors visited their “tavern”

• How did people get to the McCabe’s Tavern? What was the Muskoka road? What was its purpose?

• Who were the men responsible for these colonization roads and the expansion of settlement into the Muskoka and Parry Sound District? (William Lyon Mackenzie/ John Rolph – former leaders of the Rebellion of 1837 who received amnesty following a ten year exile in the United States )

6

o In 1852, William Lyon Mackenzie introduced to the Legislative Assembly a resolution asking for a survey of the Huron-Ottawa Territory. His intent was to increase settlement within the uninhabited region of Canada West, to encourage immigration from Europe, and discourage emigration from the province. This resolution, along with similar recommendations, led to the Colonization Roads policy, and ultimately to the passing of the Public Land Act in 1853 by the Legislature. This Act allowed the government "to appropriate as free grants any public land in the province to actual settlers, upon or in the vicinity of any public roads in any new settlements which shall or may be opened through the Lands of the Crown."

o At this point maps will be shown to illustrate the course of the road from Washago to McCabe’s Landing (Gravenhurst)

o Road began in 1858 • How successful were these policies and colonization roads prior to 1865? • One early settler enticed by the promise of Free land in Muskoka was Thomas

McMuray of England: o MCMURRAY: In looking over the map, I was favorably impressed with

the position of Muskoka. Its proximity to Toronto, and its unlimited water facilities, led me to conclude that if the soil was what the surveyors reported it to be, that eventually it must become a place of considerable importance. On the 10th of May, 1861, we set sail from Londonderry, and arrived at Quebec on the 20th, after a pleasant voyage of ten days…On our arrival in Toronto, I rented a house for a month for my family, while I proceeded to examine the Free Grant Lands of Muskoka. At Orillia many persons tried to dissuade me from going there. One man said, ‘If you go there you will die, and there will be no one to bury you;’ but nothing daunted, I proceeded on my journey. On arriving at McCabe’s Tavern… I hired a flat-bottomed boat, and rowed across Muskoka Lake, and up Muskoka River to the North Falls, now known as the Village of Bracebridge, which is the centre of the District…After examining the land pretty thoroughly, I selected 400 acres on the banks of the south branch of the Muskoka River, about two miles east of the Grand Muskoka Falls

• Discuss “Measurin’ and surveyin’” o Discuss early attempts at surveying – David Thompson 1837

Why was the government initially interested in this land? (a route from Ottawa to Georgian Bay)

What other routes were being considered? (The Severn River in the south and the French River to the north)

SCENE 6: Bain, Campbell, and Crombie going down to the shore, where they set out onto the Lake on McCabe’s scow. There is one paddle, to which the boys add a pole cut from the bush. The scow leaks horribly and they are kept busy bailing for the 2.5 miles they travel. Cut to Interview Subjects Discussing:

7

o What were Bain and Campbell doing in Muskoka? (going to Muskoka for fun – tourism)

o What did Bain and Campbell do while they were here? (went out on the Lakes) o How Bain and Campbell had some trouble navigating on their first trip, and on

subsequent trips hired Native guides from the Rama reserve. o Can you discuss the origins of the Name “Muskoka”? o Seasonal occupation of In-Land Lakes (during winter months) by

Anishinabek People, and traditional lifestyles Obojawanung Village (Port Carling)

o Anishinabek and French Relations – Fur Trade (beginning 1600 c.) o Iroquoian Wars (1650’s-1670’s c.)

Skeleton Lake o Robinson-Huron Treaty 1850

Gives Muskoka region to the Crown in return for annuities and reserves

Natives from this area were to move to Parry Island (or south to Rama Reserve)

o Other Native Communities are moved into the Muskoka District Beausoleil Island Reserve – moved to the island in 1842

• Composed of a band of Natives from the Cold Water Establishment

• Land proves not to be viable – the band moves to Christian Island in the 1850’s

o Native role in early tourism economy Chapter 2: A.P. Cockburn SCENE 7: Evening. Exterior of the “Freemason’s Arms” (McCabe’s tavern). Light pours out the tavern window. Crane from sign to look through the window onto a table where several men and Mother McCabe are gathered. V.O.: Five years after Bain and Campbell paid their first visit to the McCabe’s tavern, a man whose fortunes would soon be irrevocably tied to Muskoka checked in on his way back to Orillia. V.O. (Mother McCabe): “What do you mean you haven’t seen lake Muskoka?” SCENE 7 (cont’d): Interior Freemason’s Arms– A.P. Cockburn explains to Mother McCabe that he and his associates have been all through the upper lakes to the Magnetawan River, back down through lake Vernon and the Muskoka road and ended up here. <insert shots of Cockburn surveying the landscape on this trip, making notes – SCENE 8> Mother McCabe convinces Cockburn to visit Lake Muskoka before he returns to “the front.” SCENE 8: (shots to be inserted into SCENE 7)

8

a. 8. A) shots of Cockburn surveying the landscape on this trip, making notes, he should also pick up and examine some soil, he should appreciate large size of trees

b. Note making under a tree- he should make notes on how the area would be good for lumbering, settlers, and sportsmen, write his suggestions for the minister of agriculture - new roads, liberal land policy, lighthouses and lock at Baisong rapids, he should sketch an image of a steamship (possibly come up with name ideas - the Wenona

c. Cockburn being pleased with landscape • Cut to Interview Subjects who Discuss:

o Who is Alexander Peter Cockburn? What was his childhood like? When did he first get involved in business and politics? What was

his family’s business? (lumber) Were his visions the same as the rest of his family?

o What was Cockburn doing in Muskoka on his first visit? What did Cockburn learn from his visit? (great potential for

lumbering, settlers, and sportsmen) What does he suggest in his report to the Minister of

Agriculture? (new roads, liberal land policy, lighthouses and lock at Baisong rapids)

What does he guarantee he will do if these suggestions are carried out? What is McGee’s response to Cockburn’s report?

Why was Cockburn so excited about Muskoka? How quickly did he formulate his vision for the district? What was that vision?

o Cockburn’s First Actions (1866) What does he convince his father to do? (open sawmill on

Musquash river on Georgian Bay) Can you discuss the Montreal Store? Can you discuss the stage service to Washago? Why was this

important? o The Wenonah

Why did Cockburn want to build a steamship? Where was the ship constructed? Who was involved? Can you describe it? Why was it a challenge to put a steamer on Lake Muskoka? (no

navigational aides, few places for cordwood, varying water levels) What affect did the Wenonah have on Bracebridge? (lower prices,

quicker travel, huge population jump) What was in Bracebridge prior to 1866?

What affect did the Wenonah have on Gravenhurst? What affect did the Wenonah have on settlement in the Muskoka

district generally? o Cockburn the M.P. (1867)

Why did Cockburn get into politics? What was his political stance? Was it easy for Cockburn to get elected locally?

9

How was he involved with the passing of “An Act to Secure Free Grants and Homesteads to Actual Settlers on Public Lands”?

• Why did he feel the need for improved legislation? • What were the land grant conditions? (200 acres, etc) • Did this start a flood of settlement into Muskoka? Why

Not? What’s the trouble with farming in Muskoka? o Discuss the conflicting reports from surveyors about the quality of

Muskoka lands for farming. Why did they think that the soil would be good for farming? (large

size of the trees) Joseph Dale and his pamphlet “Canadian Lands Grants” attacked

roads, shanties, absentee ownerships, cost of settlement and ROCK – “I have known instances where a mound of dirt has been sought for, and looked upon as a treasure.”

• SCENE 9: This scene will illustrate myth of “if you scratched the surface you could plant a crop.” – interview audio to this effect will accompany scene. Med shot of a patch of cleared Muskoka land – we can see rocks and large trees in the distance. An overly happy farmer, Farmer Joe, comes into the frame – carries a packet of seeds. He scratches at the soil and drops in a seed. He happily hops away to fetch his watering can. We cut to a CU shot of him filling his watering can from the lake. The happy happy farmer returns to the original scene where he planted the seed – magically a very healthy and mature plant has appeared. The farmer kicks his heals in joy!

o Who was involved in countering this perception and Promoting Muskoka for settlement and farming?

Thomas McMurray • He began the first newspaper, the Northern Advocate, in

1869 in Parry Sound, then moved the paper to Bracebridge • He was the first Reeve of United Townships of Draper,

MacCauley, Stephenson and Ryde, and was involved in attracting settler’s businesses

Wrenshall brothers farming “school” • Advertised in England to learn farming in Canada for $200 • Was this a scam?

A.P. Cockburn • Muskoka Settlers Association (1867) • Inviting dignitaries to local fall fairs (32 ½ pound turnip)

Did this promotion work? Why or why not? • SCENE 10: The happy farmer from SCENE 9, Farmer Joe, enters the frame as in

SCENE 9 shot 1, but he is no longer so happy – his hair and clothing is disheveled – he looks very much worse for wear. He produces the packet of seeds, goes to scratch the surface as in SCENE 9 – but under the thin layer of soil he finds a large rock. He then produces another rock, and another, and another. Cut back to same lake where he filled his watering can in SCENE 9 – but this time he throws the rocks in the lake, along with the watering can, and then jumps in himself out of frustration (or falls in). Cut.

10

o Did many of those who originally came to farm leave? Where did they go? (i.e., Manitoba fever)

Chapter 3: Pioneer Life o What did the settlers who decided to stay do in order to survive?

1. Work in the Lumber camps 2. Use part of their farms as resorts 3. Guiding summer visitors

1. Work in Lumber Camps • SCENE 11 : The unhappy farmer, Farmer Joe, trudges out of the water. He goes

to his trunk and pulls out some dry clothes. He goes behind a tree and comes out wearing lumberjack dress. He picks up an axe and heads off into the woods.

• Interview Subjects Discuss: o In the winter farmers would work in the lumber camps, and in the summer

work their farms o Discuss movement of logs to Georgian Bay Lumber Mills

Georgian Bay Lumber Company – Go Home Lake Many logs going directly to the US, floated across the lake in large

booms o First Sawmill in Muskoka – at Severn Bridge, 1830

The Severn River was used to drive logs o Initially, there was friction between farmers and timbermen – timbermen

saw farming as a waste of valuable timber, but lumbering was seen as being unsustainable.

In 1860 a law was passed allowing timbermen to cut all lumber within their limits, whether on private land or otherwise – and the settler was only allowed to sell timber to pay for their land

Both sides violated the regulation whenever it was in their interest to do so

2. Use Part of their Farms as “Resorts” for sportsmen • Interview Subjects Discuss:

o If farmers couldn’t use their lands to create revenue through crops or timber, they would find another way: tourists and sportsmen

• SCENE 12 : The unhappy farmer returns to his trunk by the shore with an armload of fire wood. He sets up one of the stumps to sit on and relax. He looks out over the water. Another man enters the frame – he is carrying a fishing pole. He asks the unhappy farmer if he could use one of his stumps to sit on and fish. At first the farmer looks suspicious – but then the sportsman produces some coins. The farmer happily obliges and rents the man a stump on which to sit and fish. The farmer leaves the frame with his money while the sportsman sits down. The sportsman casts his line. Farmer Joe returns with what we recognize as two cups/jars of Mother McCabe’s stirabout. The Sportsman takes it eerily. Farmer Joe happily sips at the drink. The Sportsman feels a tug and he pulls up the line - his catch is the farmer’s watering can.

• Interview Subjects Discuss (Nancy Tapley and Susan Pryke, etc)

11

o What role did the early sportsmen visiting Muskoka play in the district’s tourism development? (sportsmen knocked on farmer’s doors and paid for accommodation and food)

3. Guiding Summer Visitors • Narration: When tourists began frequenting Muskoka, many settlers would bolster

their finances by acting as guides for the visitors. One of the earliest of these was Thomas Robinson. Robinson went one step further and became the captain of a large rowboat that brought people from Orillia to Washago – this is where he met Bain and Campbell in 1861.

• SCENE 13: Robinson writing in his diary. Setting could be anywhere. • Voice Over of Robinson recalling meeting Bain and Campbell:

o “Among the passengers not looking for land were the two young men, pioneers of that class who have made the name of Muskoka famous world over. The young men in question were students at the University who, with adventurous spirits, were the first to go into the wilds of Muskoka as tourists. To my surprise I received a letter from them the following winter. They hoped to return for a longer trip this year if I could guide them about Muskoka’s waters. The fellows wanted to travel from Lake Muskoka to Lake Nipissing, but had little knowledge of the great distance that entailed. Therefore, I suggested an alternative.”

• SCENE 14: Cut to Scene of Robinson paddling a scow with a small sail along. He is saying to Bain and Campbell:

o “Since you were here there has been another lake discovered that was not before known to white man and connected to Lake Muskoka and Rosseau and it is said by the surveyors that discovered it that it is quite large as either of the others and the three are all collected together; merely a fall of five feet from one and two feet from the other, no serious impediment to the passing of a small or light boat.”

• Robinson’s Speech will be used to begin a discussion on Inter-Lake Navigation Systems. Interview Subjects Discuss:

o The Locks at Port Carling (1871) Discuss the request by the Obajewanung Anishnabek to create

reserve at Port Carling instead of moving to Parry Island. What ends up happening?

Petitions for lock start in 1868, created by Cockburn and signed by many residents. Some M.P.P’s dismissed the “absurd notion of spending public money on a canal link up of a couple of Frog Ponds”

However, with the help of public works minister Carling, the contract was awarded on May 27th, 1869 to Mr. John Ginty for the Sum of $19,500 to build a lock at Baisong Rapids

On November 24th, 1871, the Wenonah was the first vessel to pass through the lock

o Canal at Sandy Portage (1871)

12

$ 7,865 was let to Mr. George Blain on the 5th of February 1870 for cribbing and excavation of a channel linking Lakes Rosseau and Joseph. Completed in 1872.

o William Pratt’s Rosseau House (1870/71) A. P. Cockburn was instrumental in convincing William Pratt to

open up a resort hotel in Rosseau Village. Regular steamer service, promised by the soon to be completed lock at Port Carling, was probably a major selling feature. At a time when it wasn’t a thing to do to come to the wilderness for vacation – but the idea caught on.

Pratt visited in 1869, and the next year began building a hotel in the middle of the wilderness on lake Rosseau – in an un surveyed area, Pratt’s Rousseau House opens in 1870

Chapter 4: The Muskoka Club Cut to SCENE 15: Fade from picture of Rosseau House to a drawing of the Rosseau House. It is being done by a Victorian Lady, in her late teens/early 20’s, it is Elizabeth Campbell (Campbell’s sister). Bain and Campbell come up behind Elizabeth and ask her why on earth she would draw such a hideous thing, she replies saying that it’s not so bad, it’s just a little sketch. We pan up and see that there are a number of ladies, ages 16 to 40, who are sketching on the rocks. Bain and Campbell exclaim that they have made a “little sketch” about the Rousseau House as well – and begin to recite their poem about the Hotel:

o Peace and plenty in our dwelling, Beef and biscuit in our store, Oatmeal, all oatmeal excelling, Where’s the wretch would ask for more! Let him go and live at Pratts’es Roost a while with Dugald Brown, Where mammas with noisy brats-es Long to pay their traps for town.

SCENE 16: The same group around a campfire, light is dieing, Sinor Sandi is playing the violin, accompanying the boys, who continue singing.

Far from gasolier’s and lustre’s [ gasolier – chandelier that burns gas ] Sickly artificial light. Every eve our party musters Round the camp fire burning bright, None may sleep while Sinor Sandi Leads the philharmonic din, While we raise our voices and he Plays upon his violin

• Cut to Interview Subjects Discussing: o Bain and Campbell formed the Muskoka Club in 1864 –a group of

Muskoka “adventurers”

13

The club’s mission is: “To provide an annual expedition for its members, to preserve the records of past expeditions and to receive information on subjects of interest to its members.”

This is a precursor to the Muskoka Lakes Association and the Lake of Bays Association. etc

o About 1866 they had selected Yoho Island on Lake Joseph as their headquarters

o Discuss the Wenonah calling at YoHo island, and the friendship that Campbell formed with A.P. Cockburn.

• SCENE 17: Bain and Campbell were known to be naturalists. Cut to Bain, Campbell, and Elizabeth collecting specimens from some bushes. Campbell looks up and notes that they’re almost done building that mansion on Chief’s Island. Bain exclaims that it’s “so bourgeois, and disgusting.” Campbell agrees, saying “How big do you think it is 13, 14 feet across – how excessive!” Elizabeth pipes in saying – “oh won’t you leave Father and his little cabin alone.” She waves to her father on the adjacent island, the other two wave begrudgingly.

o Interview Subjects Discuss: Bain and Campbell’s Victorian era love of nature John Campbell Sr. built a “mansion” near Yoho Island, which was

little more than a shack, but becomes a site of great ridicule on behalf of the club

• Singing V.O. by Bain and Campbell: From Island to Island like sea birds we roam, the lake is our pathway, the forest our home

Chapter 5: An Influx of Industry and the Industrious Narration: In spite of their love for the wild, the Muskoka Club was still pleased to take the steamboat from Gravenhurst, after it began service in 1866, to the Baisong Rapids on the way to their Island. Bain and Campbell would soon realize that their love of nature could not stop the development of Muskoka’s shores. When the Railway reached Gravenhurst in 1875, the area would be stripped by the lumberman’s axe, and the influx of industry would pick up momentum the further the rail and the lumbermen reached.

• Interview Subjects Discuss: o The State of the Muskoka Road

“There are holes in the centre of the road, filled with water, deep enough to bury horse, buggy and rider, and in order to escape such a catastrophe it is necessary to make a detour among the stumps and roots, to one side, which is difficult enough to do with an empty buggy, much less a loaded wagon.”

Was the road between Washago and Gravenhurst a hindrance to settlement?

Did the planking of the road have any affect? (in ’70 - $25,000 went to Peter Cockburn)

• “The fourteen miles so exhaust the sees that three weary hours are spent in traversing this dusty road, and the scenery… is somewhat monotonous, consisting.. first of

14

pine and rock, and then of rock and pine, and then again of pine and rock…”

o The Progress of the Railway How was A.P. Cockburn involved with getting the railway to

Gravenhurst? (chartered a company, promotion) Why did the Northern Railway of Canada finally decide to build

the Northern Extensions Railway in 1871? (lumber moving northward and didn’t want to loose out on the action to another company)

Who paid for the railway expansion? (City of Toronto – $100,000, the Province $4,000 per mile, and municipal government in Muskoka $2,000 per mile)

Was railway construction difficult in the Precambrian Shield? Railway reached Gravenhurst in August of 1875, and the

Muskoka Wharf opened two months later. What did this mean for Muskoka?

o The Railway accelerated the logging boom going on in Muskoka – because now logs and later boards could easily be shipped out of the district without going to Georgian Bay.

• SCENE 18: Sawmill re-enactment at Muskoka heritage place. o Gravenhurst became known as “Sawdust City”

Why? (level land to store logs, the railhead, Muskoka bay harbour) By 1883 there are14 lumber companies work ing in Gravenhurst

• About 30 million feet of lumber plus 35 million shingles, plus 50 million feet of logs and squared timber left Gravenhurst on the Northern railway in 1883

But it wasn’t just Gravenhurst - Sawmills began popping up all over, Bracebridge had theirs since 1863, East Bay in 1876, Rosseau Falls in 1877, Rosseau in 1879, Port Sandfield in the early 1880s, Burgess Mill at Bala and Huntsville 1886

How was A.P. Cockburn involved in the lumber boom? What affect did logging have upon the landscape and ecosystem?

Did it have any affect on tourism? o When the Rail came in, and the log boom got going, the steam boats had a

real job to do Steamers were used to haul booms of logs through the lakes By this time Cockburn had a number of steamers plying the

Muskoka Lakes Discuss the navigation problems that logging created for

passenger and freight steamships o Specifically discuss the story of Captain Charles Edward

Jackson of Gravenhurst, who finds the river to Port Carling blocked with logs, and warns the river drivers they’d better make a path. The river drivers ignore the Captain’s warnings, and when he returns a week later, he ploughs through their boom with his boat, spilling the logs into the river and clearing a path for his boat. ooll

15

Narration: Seeing the prosperity of Gravenhurst after receiving the railhead in 1875, both Bracebridge and Huntsville politicians lobbied for railway access in their communities. Approximately ten years later, in 1886 when the Railway was opened to Nipissing junction, the towns of Bracebridge and Huntsville were opened to export natural resources and import desperately needed goods and persons by way of the rail.

However, Cockburn was accused of protecting his steamboating interests, and he was blamed for the 10 year delay in construction to Bracebridge and beyond

o There is no evidence that Cockburn was behind the delay, but rumours stated that the progress of the railway would be ruinous for Cockburn’s steamboating business

o When the rail did go through to Nipissing Junction in 1886, Cockburn’s freight revenues dropped by 75%, but the business managed to survive because of booming/towing (i.e. tan bark) and the emerging tourism market

o Cockburn’s Flagship, the Nippissing also catches fire and burns at this time (replaced in 1887 by another “Nippissing”)

o The fact that the railway only touched down in two locations on the Lower Lakes helped to save Cockburn’s steamers

In the Upper Lakes, there was more competition from smaller players, who were attempting to recreate what they saw Cockburn achieve on the Southern Lakes.

o Cockburn was behind the man who would make the Northern Lakes truly navigable

• In 1873 Cockburn introduced George F. Marsh to the Muskoka area, and Marsh moved to the district the next year

• By 1895, Captain Marsh’s steamers were in command of the Northern Muskoka Lakes, and it was Marsh who got the Portage Flyer going in 1904 – which connected Lake of Bays to the other Northern Lakes and all of Marsh’s steamers

• Marsh took one ride on the flyer and then passed away Narration: But the Portage flyer would not be idle for long, for there was another entrepreneur with his eye on the Northern Lakes transit system. However, his interests were not entirely related to freight or tourists, but leather was his passion. Chapter 6: Catching a Tan

• Interview Subjects Discuss: o Who was Charles Orlando Shaw?

Why did he come to Huntsville? Why had Huntsville wanted to attract the tanning business? (jobs)

16

What means did Huntsville use to attract David Alexander and Sutherland Shaw in 1890? (tax exemptions)

o Did the arrival of the railway to Huntsville in the 1880’s have anything to do with Alexander and Shaw’s choice of locating at Huntsville?

Which other town had used the tax exemption tactic in the past? • Bracebridge offered the Beardmore Company of Toronto a 10

year tax exemption and a $2000 bonus if their town was selected

• When did the Bracebridge Tannery open? • When did the Huntsville Tannery open? • Why was Muskoka attractive for tannery operations?

o Discuss the massive quantities of hemlock in the area, as well as soft water.

Discuss how hemlock was previously seen as useless to earlier lumbermen – who were almost exclusively interested in white pine

o How did farmers prosper from the tanning business? • What was being produced at the Tanneries?

o Hard leathers o Shoe leather

• Were the tanneries prosperous before C.O. Shaw came into the picture?

o What kind of boss was Shaw? Why was there a “walk out” from the tannery shortly after Shaw’s

arrival? What was it like working in the tannery?

o Would working on a steamship have been any better? o How were steamships employed by the tanneries?

Why did Shaw purchase the Portage flyer and Captain Marsh’s ships? Was tan bark the only thing being transported by Shaw’s ships? How did Shaw’s enterprises on the Upper Lakes compare to

Cockburn’s on the lower three lakes? How was Cockburn’s vision for Muskoka different from Shaw’s?

Chapter 7: The Far-Famed Muskoka District - Interview Subjects Discuss:

o Did the clear-cutting and pollution from the tanneries do anything to deter people from coming to Muskoka? Why Not?

o Why is Cockburn known as the father of the tourism industry in Muskoka? He enticed Mr. Fraser to set up The Summer House, at what would

become Port Cockburn He published a tourism and sportsmen’s guide for Muskoka in 1874 He wrote immigration and tourism pamphlets, which he distributed

to the US

17

He was always taking dignitaries for exclusive, free trips on the lakes

SCENE 19: Cockburn is “wining and dining” guests and dignitaries on one of his many free tours to promote Muskoka on the Nippissing (Now the Segwun). Members of the press are present, taking notes. Cockburn is extolling to all the advantages of Muskoka.

o How did Cockburn’s marketing skills help his business to grow? More people came to Muskoka based on his literature and descriptions

o How many of Cockburn’s steamships were plying the lakes by 1890? o Why would the Railway companies work to promote Muskoka as well?

Railway company: “The Great and Only Line running to the far-famed Muskoka District, the Sportsman’s Paradise and Free Grant Lands of Ontario. Fast trains Daily from Toronto and Hamilton, connecting with Steamers of the Muskoka Navigation Company for all points on the Lakes. Fishing, hunting, camping, and delightful summer resorts for families…” (1882)

o Doctors were even prescribing Muskoka as a cure for ailments – the clean air, the pine ozone, the high elevation, and lack of ragweed were all thought to be therapeutic

Discuss the creation of “the Old Main” (Muskoka Cottage Sanitarium), Canada’s first Sanitarium in Gravenhurst. Where was this Sanitarium constructed (Thomas Robinson’s property)

Why was Muskoka considered a good place for Sanitariums? How many were constructed? Were they successful?

o Discuss the evolution of the family “resorts” into more established tourism facilities, for example:

Prospect House (1882 – Enoch Cox – disenchanted farmer who builds Port Sandfield into Tourist Community)

Windermere House (1883 – Thomas Aitken – supplant farming income, three story hotel in 1888)

Deerhurst ( 1895 – first big resort on Upper Lakes, had to turn away customers by 1899 )

o Discuss the evolution of Lumber camps into Resorts and the beginnings of Georgian Bay Tourism

Severn Lodge (1880s ) Victoria House (1897 – Run by Lumber sawmill Operator)

Chapter 8: Departing Guests SCENE 20: Campbell (late 20’s) sits on a beach/ rock in the setting sun, there is a woman resting her head on his shoulder as he writes:

- V.O.: “Friend after Friend departs. We are sorry to be compelled to announce that two more of our party have left Chaplain’s Isle to return to civilization. Mr. Burns and Bone’s Boy are gone! Yes gone! We stood this morning at the summit of the isle watching the boat as it carried them away.

18

We waved our handkerchief in response to the waving of theirs and, when the boat rounded the last point at which it could be seen – you may say it was folly and deem us weak, but we were unable to repress our emotions. We sobbed aloud. Even now as we write, what is this trickling down our cheek? It is a tear.”

SCENE 21: (Intercut into SCENE 20) Campbell and his lady friend hug another couple as they depart (with some baggage). They watch them walk away and wave their handkerchiefs as they depart, sobbing. [note – this is supposed to be funny]

o Interview Subjects Discuss: How does the Muskoka Club evolve?

Use of railways and steamers Use of supply boats

In 1877, the Club ceases to exist when John Campbell buys up all the islands and builds a cottage

Why did he do this? Briefly discuss Campbell’s life in Toronto

Becoming a minister and helping to from the YMCA in Toronto (Presbyterian)

Becoming an academic Charges of heresy brought against him/ his resignation from

the college (probably explains why he enjoyed his summer escapes to Muskoka so much)

SCENE 22: Campbell middle-aged, wearing his “blacks”, preaching to two young children. He should be referencing plants or vegetation - show his naturalist side. (scene could be shot with just campbell preaching toward camera if children cannot be found)

Discuss Campbell’s summer life as a roaming non-denominational children’s minister in Muskoka

Near the end of his life, people would take their canoes and boats and come to him for the service

His wife maintained a post-office on the island SCENE 23: Campbell, elderly, planting seeds in his garden on YoHo Island.

In 1904, at the age of 64, John Campbell passed away quietly in his sleep on his beloved island.

NARRATION: Meanwhile, Campbell’s long-time friend Alexander Cockburn was having a rough go of it himself. Interview Subjects Discuss:

o The end of Cockburn’s Political career o Troubles with the Muskoka Navigation Company o Bickering and belittling by board members, diminished control over his

own company o The Royal Muskoka Hotel

19

Discuss Mr. Sawyer’s scheme and plan for the Navigation Company and the Royal Hotel and the subsequent reorganization of the company into the Muskoka Navigation and Hotel Company.

Why was Mr. Sawyer forced out of the company? What was the Navigation Company forced to do in order to complete

the Hotel? (issue new stock, bonds covered by Grand Trunk Railway)

When was the hotel completed? (1902) Describe this magnificent hotel: 300-350 guests, high prices, Three stories

high, with red-roofed towers, stucco walls, electric lighting, steam heating, hot and cold running water, and palatial staircases, a vast “rotunda” overlooking the water, with grounds totaling 130 acres and a 9 hole golf course, bowling greens, tennis court, riding stables, and miles of shaded walking trails. Post office, telegraph office, bar, billiard room, bake shop, newsstand, barbershop and beauty parlor.

What was the Initial problem with the Royal Muskoka Hotel? (high staff costs, short season)

“Consumed a great deal of profits earned by the boats but doing little in return except washing the steamer’s linens.”

o Cockburn is denied a seat at on the Senate o He is denied a seat on the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway o He never becomes wealthy (his estate was worth ~ $38,000) o On June 2, 1905, at the age of 68, Alexander Peter Cockburn dies at his home

in Toronto of a heart attack. Was Cockburn able to see his vision though to reality? How important was Cockburn to the development of Muskoka? What

is his Legacy? o The Muskoka Herald: “Muskoka Loses one of its best friends, one who,

believing in its possibilities, invested his money here when the District was a wilderness and who, conscientiously, in Parliament and out of it, sought to advance its best interests. We think he did not receive a just recognition of his services to the district and the country at large […]. He was well and favorably known throughout the entire district and his death will be regretted by many friends.”

SCENE 24: (same setting as SCENE 19) Later in the evening aboard the Nippising, aboard the same “wining and dining” cruise as before. Dinner has nearly been finished, and one of the dignitaries rises to give Cockburn a toast, saying:

- “Captain Cockburn is one of the most attentive and obliging of men, and by his courteous attention to all his guests… wins for himself hosts of fresh friends every new trip…Capital meals, cloths and napkins white as snow, glasses sparking with brilliant clearness, and an assortment of the best wines add a charm and luxuriance to the trip that does much to afford additional pleasure to the traveler.”

- Cockburn interjects with some humorous statements - Boat sails away into the evening sun, fade to black

Act II: The Forest Our Home

20

Act II covers the explosion of Muskoka into the mainstream culture of North America and the resultant increase in lake and land use by American and Canadian tourists and cottagers. The opening of this section will bombard the viewer with the mass produced images of Muskoka distributed throughout the western world that created Muskoka as a world destination. The act will go on to discuss the golden age of hotels and steam boating, boatbuilding, Muskoka’s contributions to World War 1 and 2, the coming of the automobile and the subsequent increase in cottaging, the creation of Santa’s Village and other attractions, the rise of the environmental movement and the region’s economic diversification. Primary Interview Subjects: Paul White, Susan Pryke, Nancy Tapley, Karl Jaffrey, Ed Terziano, Bernard Nichollson, Janet Macey, Liz Lundell, Jack Hutton, Ken Black, Freda Finely, Phyllis Parker, Richard Tatley, Doug Smith, Ina Turnbull, Paul Dodington?, Jim Angus, Barb and Paul Mather, Cecil Porter, Al Bacon, John Bowlby, Patrick Boyer, Claudette, Jamie Hopkins, Santa Clause, Rt. Honourable Bartleman?, Janet and Dave Fisher, Karl Jaffrey, Mary-Anne Fry Chapter 9: Imagining Muskoka SCENE 25: Montage of folks dressed in 1920’s regalia, they are dancing, drinking, and chattering. Jumpin’ music is playing in the background – the imagery cuts quickly between archival footage, advertisements for various hotels, and photos of guests having a good time. Narration: The early years of the 20th century were the hay-day for Muskoka resorts. By 1910 there were 76 resorts on the Muskoka Lakes (show a map with locations of each). Many visitors came from Ontario, but even more came from the Eastern Seaboard of the United States. Industrialization and the pollution that came with it made big cities like Pittsburg and Baltimore inhospitable places in the summer – and if you could get out, you did.

o Interview Subjects Discuss How did Americans learn about Muskoka? Where is “Little Pittsburg” and why were so many people from

Pittsburg visiting Prowse’s Beaumaris Hotel? Why was Beaumaris one of only a few hotels on Lake Muskoka

(lumbering damage) Narration: In the years before the First World War, Muskoka was also attracting a young group of artists impressed by Georgian Bay’s windswept pines and the streams, rocks and inland lakes associated with the Precambrian shield.

o Interview Subjects Discuss Who was Dr. James MacCallum? (arts patron) Who did he invite to his Cottage in Go Home Bay in 1914? (A.Y.

Jackson, JE.H. MacDonald, Tom Thompson) What did they paint while they were there?

21

Were Tom Thompson or other future members of the group of seven painting in the interior of Muskoka? (Algonquin park, Huntsville, elsewhere)

How was their work different from Canadian artwork prior to this? Narration: With the outbreak of First World War, two of these artists, Jackson and Varley, became official war artists. The relativity young Dominion of Canada was beginning to flex its muscles on the world stage as a nation that could stand on its own, and Muskoka was eager to be part of the action.

o Interview Subjects Discuss: 122nd Battalion

Discuss Colonel D.M. Grant’s task of recruiting the Muskoka Battalion

• Did support (men, money and other contributions) for the Battalion come from all of Muskoka or was Support more localized? Did this endeavor help to bring Muskoka residents together as a community?

What special division did many of the members of the 122nd transfer into when overseas? (forestry)

• Forester: “The men of Muskoka are adept in the practical work of the lumber camps and their response to the new call will not, it is hoped, be disappointing.”

Was the Canadian Forestry Corps any good? (broke records) How many Muskokans were killed during WW1?

Narration: Canada had proven itself with its extensive contribution to the allied war effort in Europe – contributing over 600,000 soldiers, lending its developing industrial complex to war machines, and training soldiers from across the world. But nobody really knew what it was to be Canadian. One answer in the mid 1920s came from the National Gallery of Canada, and it involved those young painters who had visited James MacCallum’s cottage on Georgian Bay, who by now were known as the Group of Seven.

o Interview Subjects Discuss: Was the Group of Seven an immediate success? What did Eric Brown, director of the National Gallery of Canada,

have to do with making them a national icon? In 1925 they dominated Canadian contributions to international

art exhibitions. What image of Canada did they create? Were the Railways involved with creating this image?

Who else was involved? What effect, if any, did this have on Muskoka? What did the paintings of the Group of Seven exclude from their

landscapes? (native peoples, clear-cut regions, tannery pollution, etc) Narration: The National Gallery secured Muskoka a dominant place as a part of the new national image of Canada. Now, among the hotel brochures, the navigation company’s advertising and the railway’s promotions, there were paintings by the Group of Seven.

o Interview Subjects Discuss:

22

What did Major Hugh C. MacLean contribute to the Muskoka Navigation Company when he took control in 1912?

Narration: An unlikely contributor to the burgeoning culture of Muskoka was the Anglo Canadian Leather Company. An increasing number of Italian workers at the tannery began congregating to play music. A serenade from the fledgling band awoke in C.O. Shaw a passion that would lead Muskoka to musical fame.

o How did the band get going? o How was Shaw’s interest in the band peaked?

The band played for Shaw on Christmas Eve o Did Shaw have a previous relationship with music? o Why did Shaw support the band? (a ‘useful’ pastime for the men in their off

hours) o Where did people come from to be in the band?

What was one of the requirements for being in the band? o Who was Herbert L. Clarke? o Where did the band gain the most notoriety? (CNE) o How were they received? o How many years did they play at the CNE?

Chapter 10: Bigger than Big at Bigwin Narration: To the disappointment of Huntsville and CNE audiences, the Anglo Canadian Leather Company Band was disbanded in 1926. Shaw’s attentions had been drawn to a much larger project, one that would become a testament to the grandeur and hospitality that Muskoka was capable of.

o When did Shaw purchase Bigwinn Island? o Who was the architect for the project?

Why was the project unique? What was Shaw’s vision for the hotel?

o When did he begin construction? SCENE 26: Shots of men shoveling gravel. Shots of men passing tin buckets in a brigade.

Why had Shaw chosen concrete to construct his hotel? Cut to Nancy Tapley – discussing extraction of gravel from

property Nancy could also tell us the story of the Wawa going up in

flames o When did the hotel finally open?

What kind of press did the hotel receive? (discussing how Bigwinn was the Biggest of the Big)

What did Bigwinn do for tourism on the upper lakes? Did the introduction of the automobile have anything to do with

Bigwin’s success? o What were some of the amenities of the hotel?

Golf

23

Ed Terziano -caddy Swimming / water sports Boating Entertainment / bands

Tapley’s story of canoeing over to island in Tuxedo SCENE 27: Close shot of a man adjusting his bowtie (right from the front). Med shot of man looking out over Muskoka water in his tuxedo. He straightens the jacket, smooths it as well. Then the man steps into a canoe and begins paddling away singing classic Gilbert and Sullivan tunes.

Food, giant dining room Was there alcohol available on the hotel’s premises? Karl Jaffrey working in kitchen

o What kind of clientele was the hotel intended to serve? The Rich (Largely Americans)

Examples: Al Capone, others??? Narration: However, it wasn’t just Bigwin that was attracting celebrities, the other hotels would have their share as well…

o Paul White discussing his interlude with Margaret Hamilton (Wicked Witch of the West – Wizard of Oz)

Hamilton dares White to jump off of the Wheelhouse of a steamer, White does so and is awarded a box of chocolates by Hamilton

o Dunn’s Pavilion attracting celebrities i.e. Louis Armstrong – (Right Hon. Bartleman’s story?)

o Many of the Big Celebrities began building Big Cottages on the Muskoka Lakes, as well as Georgian Bay

Orville Wright – vacations on Georgian Bay, then purchases an island in the fall of 1916 and builds a cottage with a retractable roof for star gazing

After World War I, pilots Billy Bishop and William Barker begin what was possibly the first chartered airline service, flying float planes from Toronto to Muskoka

i.e. Eatons, Tillsons of Tillsonburg They build big cottages, and big boat houses, which naturally

leads to a booming boat building industry Chapter 11: Somewhere over the Rainbow MONTAGE: Various wooden launches touring around, pulling water skiers, both contemporary and archival footage. Narration: The increase in tourism-related boat traffic to the interior Muskoka lakes and to Georgian Bay prompted an important further development of the region’s waterways. The construction of the Trent-Severn waterway had begun in 1833, but took 87 years to complete to Georgian Bay. Interview Subjects Discuss:

24

o Trent-Severn Waterway o Why did the Trent-Severn canal system take so long to complete? o What was its initial purpose? o What was its final purpose and reason for completion? o Can you discuss the Marine Railway and its significance? o Can you discuss the history of electrical power generation at Port

Severn? o How did the completion of the Trent-Severn waterway have an effect on

Muskoka? (Tourism travel and as an attraction itself) Narration: For those people summering on Georgian Bay, the completion of the Trent-Severn waterway meant that they could now use the waterways to travel from Southern Ontario. While the steamship lines on the inner and upper Muskoka lakes provided pretty good service, the proliferation of well-healed summer visitors from the United States and Toronto ensured the development of another far-famed Muskoka Industry: boatbuilding.

o Ditchburn Boat Works When did Ditchburn begin production?

• Beginning in the 1870s -- were building boats since the days of Pratt’s Rosseau House

What kind of boats did they build? • I.e., the “Rainbow”

Who was their clientele? • Built cruisers for the Eatons

Where did they build their crafts? o Developed Depots at Rosseau, Gravenhurst, Port Carling,

Port Cockburn and Georgian Bay By World War I, what was their reputation?

• In Muskoka, boat builders archived a local pre-eminence by the First World War and within the next 15 years established a nationwide reputation.

o Who was H. C. Minett? What was his background?

• Born on a family farm, which became Cleveland’s House on Lake Rosseau

• In his teens he began building boats in his spare time in an out building behind the hotel

Why were his boats special? Who and what were his boats built for? Can you give an example

of one of his exceptional crafts? • In 1936, a Minette Shields built “Ventnor”, MISS

QUEBEC, won the World’s Championship at the Canadian National Exhibition and the DELTA, built for Gordon Adamson of Lake of Bays, was raced by her owner at the CNE and won in 1937.

o Were these boats dangerous? Were there many accidents? o How did Port Carling become a boatbuilding town? o Which companies were stationed out of Port Carling?

25

How many people did these industries employ? o What is a DISPRO?

When were these boats first constructed? (during WWI) o Regattas

What did people do with their boats once they had them? Describe the beginning of the Muskoka Lakes Association and

the makeup of early regattas • Why was the MLA formed? Who was involved? • What is a regatta? • What did regattas mean to early summer residents? • What happened to regattas during World War II?

o What did the boat companies do in WWII to help the war effort? (many banded together and were engaged in building all manner of boats for allied forces)

What were the Gravette Company and the Port Carling Boat Works in Partnership with Minette-Shields contracted to build?

What is a “Fairmile Class B”? What other boats did Muskoka boatbuilding companies create for

the Canadian Armed Forces? How is Honey Harbour involved in this story? Why? Can you discuss the construction of the minesweepers BIRCH

LAKE and PINE LAKE? What made these boats interesting and a good fit for construction by Muskoka boat builders?

• How were the Russians involved with the final construction of PINE LAKE? What famous Russian Spy spent time in Honey Harbour? (Igor Gouzenko)

• What eventually happened to the minesweepers? Why did the Port Carling Boatworks almost close following

WWII? Narration: Even World War II took on a distinctly “Muskokan Flare.”

o Queen Juliana from the Netherlands Stays at Bigwin Why? What did she do while she was here?

o The Norwegian Flyers Why was there an exodus of Norwegians to Canada? Were the Norwegians involved with the British Commonwealth

Air Training Plan? Why were the Norwegian Flyers moved North from Toronto? How did the Flyers use Muskoka? Is this connected to the Bishop-

Barker airlines? What kind of training did they do at the Muskoka Airport? (air

crew, ground crew, radio operators) • Who was on hand to open the Muskoka Airport (Crown

Prince Olav) • Why was Muskoka a good location for flight training? • What kind of planes did they use?

26

Were there many accidents? Why? Were all of the aircraft and crewmen recovered?

What was Vesle Skaugum? What was it named after? What did the Norwegians do there?

What did the Norwegian Flyers sometimes do when they flew over the POW camp in Gravenhurst?

o P.O.W. Camp in Gravenhurst (Camp 2 “O”) Why was Gravenhurst chosen as the location for the camp

(previously vacant Sanitarium, not easy to escape) What kind of POW was predominantly sent to Camp 20? What were their lives like?

• Did they utilize their “Muskoka” location? • Was there an educational/ cultural component? • What did they do with the Potatoes that the Norweigan

flyers dropped? Did anyone ever try to escape? (i.e., Stein Helper, Peter Kruge)

• Peter Kruge used one of the Steamers Chapter 12: Here Comes Santa Clause Narration: The industrial expansion and subsequent suburbanization of North America following World War II brought even more people to Muskoka. However, by this time their habits had changed with the widespread adoption of the automobile. In 1956, a much-improved four-lane highway was opened from Toronto to Gravenhurst.

o Interview Subjects Discuss: o The decline of the Huntsville Navigation Company o The decline of the Muskoka Navigation Company

What happens to Hugh C. MacLean? How did the new owners attempt to keep the steamship business

alive? (focus on pleasure cruises, 100 mile cruise, charters) How did the disaster of the S.S. Noronic play a role in the

company’s demise? (new stiff regulations) What happens to Eric Wasley? Can you discuss the public outcry over the end of the Muskoka

Lakes Line and the last ditch effort by the Muskoka Lakes Navigation and Hotel Company to save the steamers?

Can you discuss the “Mutany” on the Sagamo over low wages in 1951?

Can you discuss the problems with employee turnover during the final years of the company and the accidents/ problems this caused?

o In 1954, the C.N.R. abandons the Muskoka Wharf, what effect does this have?

o The Royal Muskoka burns (spring of 1952, 2:00 A.M.) What caused the fire? What effect did it have upon the navigation company

27

What was built in its place on the same location? o Consolidation/ decline of many hotels and the rise of cottaging

Narration: While the automobile was responsible for the decline of the railways and steamships and the consolidation of Muskoka’s hotels, it was also directly responsible for bringing Santa Clause to Bracebridge.

o Interview with Santa Clause: Why did you decide to choose Bracebridge as your summer

home? What did you build there and who do you bring with you? Do the elves get the summer off?

o Interview subjects discuss: How was the highway bypass (Hwy. 11) responsible for Santa’s

Village? What did Robert Boyer have to do with the beginning of Santa’s

village? Who was Robert Boyer? Did people think the scheme would work? Where did they get the idea from? Was it immediately successful? Did it become so? Why?

o Note: All interview subjects will be asked about their Santa’s Village experiences, hopefully creating a chorus of voices revealing what it was like to work and visit the village in its early days.

Chapter 13: A Silent Spring Narration: Doctors once prescribed “Muskoka Air” to their patients. Sanitariums were founded in Gravenhurst for just this reason. People came to Muskoka for the clean water, clean air, and to “get back to nature.” At least that’s what the brochures said. A new environmental awareness, beginning in the 1960s, lets us look back on just how well Muskoka’s reality fit the pristine landscapes popularized by the Group of Seven. Interview Subjects Discuss:

- Clear cut logging - Summer Fever

Sewage in lakes from cottages Sewage in lakes from Steamboats Cleaning/ Bathing/ Washing in lakes

- Tanneries Chemicals and other materials used in the tanning process were often

dumped into nearby rivers and lakes Chemical buildup on tannery sites

- Chemical Spraying MLA lobbies the Department of Forestry to send a seaplane filled

with insecticide calcium arsenate to spray the region against the “looper”

In 1951 they arranged the spraying of DDT to rid the area of Tent Caterpillars

28

Chapter 14: The Forest Our Home Narration: During the second half of the 20th century, residents and visitors begin working together to create a sustainable economy and a healthy environment through conservation and diversification – but this story is not yet complete.

- Environmental Conservation o Georgian Bay Islands National Park: In 1930, the third national park in

Canada is established along Georgian Bay shore, including Beausoleil Island.

o Cottage Associations begin to study pollution on the Lakes: In 1963, John Neal, the chief biologist for the Ontario Water Resources Commission, addressed the MLA annual meeting to talk of phosphates, and in 1965 a special meeting on water pollution was held on the Victoria Day weekend at Port Carling Town Hall, drawing a large crowd. In 1971 students hand out soap flakes to be used instead of detergents.

o The Coalition on Acid Rain o MLA spawns both the Heritage Foundation and the Muskoka Heritage

Trust (the land trust). - Economic Diversification

o Cranberries at MacTier and Wahta: Cranberries grow naturally in the “bog” near Bala and have been harvested by the Wahta Mohawks since 1881, but in the 60’s the operation was expanded. Cranberry harvesting uses very few chemicals and is a sustainable industry.

o Heritage and Cultural Tourism Develops Restoration of the Segwuin, Muskoka Heritage Place, Bethune

House Museum, Grace and Speed and Lucy Maud Montgomery Museum

o Winter Tourism Develops The Carnival of the Snows in Huntsville, starting in the 1930’s,

lead development in this area • What was the Limberlost resort? • How did the festival get off the ground? What did Mayor

Frank Kelly of Huntsville have to do with it? • What kind of activities took place at the festival? • Was it a success?

Did winter tourism takeoff throughout Muskoka? o Small Manufacturing and Entrepreneurs

How has the Internet and improved highway transportation enabled a new generation of business in Muskoka?

- Current Developments: Development pressures Trails associations reclaim colonization roads Georgian Bay World UNESCO Designation Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Reserve Watershed council

29

Global warming? SCENE 28: Return to the Muskoka Club around the campfire (Same Gang as in SCENE 16) . Senior Sandi taps his violin, indicating that he is preparing to play. Campbell Sings:

Tis Five and Twenty Years ago, Though I’ve forgot the day, When three youths launched a rickety scow On fair Muskoka Bay. One was a bluffer, the other a duffer And the third who sings this lay Tonight is just the kind of man That anyone cares to say. And ever since then all kinds of men And women and girls and boys And lots of those strange non-descripts Best known as hobbledeboys, Have left their homes homes in the wilds to roam To go in the track of that kittles pack, The hardy pioneers.

Extras We were unsure how to fit these important stories into the main documentary thread, so they will exist as individual stories on the DVD and web site. Norman Bethune MacTier Rail yards Summer Theatres (Straw Hat Players, etc) 25 Drown in Beausoleil Bay (1942, ship hits a sandbar and sinks) LAMP (Lost Airmen of Muskoka Project) Rebuilding of Muskoka’s Railway Heritage (Portage Flyer, Muskoka Railway Museum) Revitalization of Steamships in Muskoka