2008
The Continuing Destruction of Muskoka, Courtesy of your Muskoka Lakes Township Council
The developers came with the worlds greatest plans and we wrote all down as the progress of man …
The previous post about Marygrove formerly the Glen Home Hotel circa 1939 seems to have created quite a stir. I received many e-mails and comments from people that are very furious with what has transpired here.
The Muskoka Lakes heritage committee and the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario had recommended that Marygrove be preserved due to its historical and architectural significance. The Muskoka Lakes township council ignored these request and decided to grant demolition permits and rezoning to allow for four new cottage lots to be developed instead. This hapless and cavalier decision resulted in the resignation of all seven Muskoka Lakes heritage committee members.
This photo was taken from the docks of the Lake Joe Club on Saturday May 24, 2008. It shows the last standing portion of Marygrove which is now reduced to rubble. The oblivious expressions of the boaters are rather fitting.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water
2008
The wrecking ball takes down another historic Muskoka landmark.
Marygrove (formerly Glen Home Hotel) was an important historical structure on the shores of Lake Joseph, Muskoka. It was a rare example of streamline moderne architectural style built in 1939.
It was operated as the Glen Home Hotel until labour day 1974. In 1975 it was purchased by the Sisters of St. Joseph and used as a seasonal religous retreat, renamed Marygrove. The Sisters put the site up for sale last year with no takers. They recently applied for rezoning from commercial to residential and received a demolition permit from town council. It seems the property is more marketable by carting everything off to landfill and making 4 new cottage lots. They wasted no time in tearing it down. Below is a photo showing part of the structure that’s still standing. Next week it will become a memory.
Article from the Bracebridge Examiner
Article from the Globe and Mail
Article from The Architectural Conservancy of Ontario
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2008
Pumped in Muskoka Canada
Well it wasn’t the warmest Victoria Day weekend on record
As we left on Monday ice pellets were coming down
While at Windermere House in Muskoka I decided to escape the hoopla and take a walk down to the docks
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2008
The Lady of the Lakes, Windermere in Muskoka Canada
This past weekend was the grand re-opening (new owner) of the famous Windermere House. Originally built in 1870 “The Lady of the Lakes” sits on Lake Rosseau in Muskoka. It has just gone a major makeover with updated rooms, new dining areas including a sushi bar and a very cool pub which I of course tested out.
Back in 1996 during the filming of The Long Kiss Goodbye, Windermere burned to the ground when one of the production lights caught fire. It was rebuilt to its original glory back in 1997 and today remains a very popular place to visit in Muskoka. You can sometimes catch Canadian hockey players like Steve Yzerman, Eric Lindros, Shayne Corson and Darcy Tucker chillin with family and friends as all have cottages near by.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2008
Muskoka’s Port Sandfield Marina still flooded out while Victoria Day weekend quickly approaches
With the Victoria day long weekend quickly approaching the folks at the Port Sandfield Marina in Muskoka are sure hoping for the lake levels to drop. At present the water is rolling over their docks. Lake Muskoka appears to be back to normal however Lakes Joseph and Rosseau remain a bit high. Port Sandfield is where Lake Joe and Rosseau connect and is a well known stop for gas, shopping and supplies.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns, uncategorized
2008
North Americas oldest operating Steamship in Muskoka, Canada
Another shot of North Americas oldest operating steamship located in Muskoka, Ontario, Canada. They will start cruising in early June. These famous steamships can be seen in the town of Gravenhurst right on the new waterfront development area which is on Lake Muskoka.
The “Grace & Speed” Muskoka Boat and Heritage Center is located here as well and worthy of some time.
In: historic muskoka, in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns, uncategorized
2008
Dock Spiders from Mars .. I mean Muskoka
Its a sure sign that the warmer weather has arrived when you see dock spiders relaxing on your dock. Apparently these are the largest spiders in Ontario. They are usually seen around docks and rocks near the waters edge. They are carnivorous and can actually dive under the water to snatch their prey.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
2008
Bala Falls is working overtime – off loading the water from Lake Muskoka
Muskoka’s Bala Falls is located in the town of Bala, Canada and widely known as the Cranberry Capital of Ontario. The extremely high water on Lake Muskoka is being purged through the dam. The water flows down the Moon River into one of the Great Lakes, Georgian Bay (Lake Huron)
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns, uncategorized
2008
Submerged at the Dock on the Bay in Muskoka
Checked in on a friends new dock near Acton Island since we noticed the water level was so high around other parts of Muskoka. Betty’s not going to be happy when she sees this. Unfortunately this is a typical scene on Lake Muskoka right now. The water has leveled off and should start dropping.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns, uncategorized
2008
Extreme volumes of water gushing through Muskokas Bala Falls
The ice has finally melted off the lakes however the water levels remain very high. Tremendous volumes of water are gushing in from Algonquin Park, Huntsville, Brandy Leonard Lakes, Lake Joseph, Rosseau and other rivers and creeks. This large amount of spring run off gets dumped into Lake Muskoka and is then controlled at the falls in Bala diverting it down the Moon River into Georgian Bay.
Below is a picture of the Bala Falls. There is so much water flowing out that it has encroached on some of the park shorelines. I noticed some young kids playing here and wish they weren’t as it would be quite dangerous with freezing water temperature and extreme rapids.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns, uncategorized
2008
Gas up your Submarine in Muskoka
With a record snowfall of 18 feet this past winter the Muskoka lakes are experiencing very high water levels. Currently Lake Muskoka is about 18 inches above its normal mark. Since Lake Joseph and Rosseau are higher lakes that drain into Lake Muskoka the levels are not quite as severe. ( 8″ to 12″) Pictured below are the new underwater docks at the Beaumaris Marina on Lake Muskoka. Upon driving around Bala and Milford Bay areas it was quite common to see boathouses and docks submerged.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns, uncategorized
2008
Muskoka Meltdown 2008
Spring has arrived and the meltdown is in progress. Here is a photo taken of Lake Muskoka in the morning. You can see that the ice is disappearing quickly.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns
2008
Off the Bridge at Port Sandfield, Muskoka Ontario Canada
Here is a picture taken from the Port Sandfield bridge exactly 2 years ago when the area was under construction. Port Sandfield is a very important historical part of Muskoka Ontario that consists of a canal that joins Lake Joseph with Lake Rosseau. There is a marina, some shops and a great general store and bakery here. Many boaters make the obligatory ice cream stop.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, tripin around towns, uncategorized
2008
Snowed in Muskoka style
If you have not made it up to check your cottage lately you may want to consider it or at least have someone drop by. While we have had an awful lot of snow in the city this season, cottage country has had their proportional share as well. After Christmas the huge amounts of snow melted causing the lake levels to rise considerably. Mid January’s freeze settled them back down and its been snowing every day it seems.
2008
Torn and Frayed in Muskoka
For some reason I like to leave the flag up all year long. Most cottagers take them down and to me it seems like they have surrendered. Well maybe only until the warmer weather arrives. Whether I arrive dockside in the scortching summer heat or struggle hip deep through the snow, I love to see and hear the flag. Theres just something about it.
In: in and around muskoka ontario, on the water, uncategorized
