IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I nil |M iU m ■to M 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ' ■^ 6" — ► m <^ /} ^ ^m ^> A c"^' . ^? 7 /^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14S80 (716) 872-4503 V ^v ■^ <> ^9) V E SUMMER kESORT, HOTELS, CAMPIN(/ OUTFIT, i<\SHlNa AiNl) SHOOTING; DISTANCES, COST OV TRWEL, CO>ST OP HOTEL AND OTHER ACC')MM0I>AT1.,*N. '.-'OMJ'TLP'J) •RT THE lyORTHKIlN LAKES NAMGATIOK CO . A. P. COCK iTKN, Manaubr, ki\ mv«nhiust). I I TOKONTU: Hl;NTEK, BOSE & CO., PRINtERS, 8e & WJ KING ST. WEiT, ;§ li74J %' .■>'#>.„ ABV^jJl ISEMENTS, iTIi % BRAOEBRIDGE. Wm. F. pUf\peN, j^l\OPf\^IETOF\. mHE above Hotel is aituated near the Steamboat X Landing, and opposite the Court House. It la celebrated for BOTTLED STOUT, PALE ALE, AND TUB mn um^M i&et h m tm4st#. tJvery accommodation for Travellers. mTaOASHD, OI^TEl r>OI-LA.:R I'^'I^ TDAT^, JiJXCELLEJSr STABLliSG, /3 a 34 / +; *- '3 PEELUDE. OAT t is i'G-. I "V^ 1'^HE nooks and corners of the Muskoka terri- tory are invested Avith no ordinary attrac- tion for the tourist, naturalist and geologist; but as so little is known (beyond a prescribed limit) of this beautiful lake region, it is deemed expe- dient to present the public with the information contained in the following pages, inasmuch as no book written on the subject of summer resorts has as yet described Muskoka. The only refer- ence to it that can be found, is in Mr. Taylor's " Canadian Hand-book and Tourists* Guide," (Montr-eal, 1866) which, after describing the vil- lage of Orillia, the writer says : " If the tourist " wislies to extend his trip into the genuine wil- " derness, he can take the steamer Faiiy, which '^ connects here, for the Muskoka settlement — '' some forty miles north-east, on a lonely lake " of the same name, rich in scenery and sport. " But, there, he must be prepared to rough it '' with the lumberer or pioneer of civilization, " who may be clearing for himself, literally, a ^* home in the wilderness — must be prepared to " satisfy his hunger with fat pork, and at night " be well acquainted with the yielding properties '* of a pine floor." Comment upon the above is unnecessary : when people visiting Oriilia (within 24 miles of Lake H^ GUIDE TO MUSKOKA. Muskoka) have manifested such ignorance as to the distance, geography, etc., of our lakes, it is not to be wondered that this region has, until re- cently, been comparatively unknown. **The Fishing Tourist,'* by Charles Hallock (New York, 1873), has the following : ** This volume presents, in a concise form, all <* the information necessary to enable gentlemen " to visit successfully every accessible salmon and " trout region of America^ However, we have examined Mr. Hallock's book and found no ref- erence to Muskoka whatever ; he has probably never heard of the trout fishing in Muskoka river (south branch), which is said by compet- ent authorities to be second only to Neepigon fe>r trout fishing. The lack of general informa- tion with respect to this region (Muskoka) in the past,- justifies, we think, the appearance of this modest *^ little guide." It is the aim of the publishers to give the fullest possible and most reliable information as to the distances, <5ost of travel, cost of hotel accommodation, time occu- pied in performing the journey, the outfit for camping, et<;. Mr. Cockbum has much pleasure in acknow- ledging the valuable assistance kindly rendered him by Col. Cumberland, M.P.P., Manager, N.R. ; also, to M. Cumming, Esq., of Toronto (article on Camping Outfit), in the preparation of the Guide. in I of the lost of cu- for >w- -ed rer, LtO Lon MUSKOKA A» A SUMMER RESORT. 5 Muskoka as a Summer Resort. This district differs somewhat from nearly all the other summer resorts, involving a much shorter trip than either the 8t. LaWrence or Lake Superior routes, and will be found well adapted to those who prefer short trips, and a retreat from some of the conventionalities of city society. The places of accommodation being neither expensive nor faslti on- able, at the same time moderately comfortable, '' no killing toilets " are required here. Those who prefer camping out in tents, or to build cheap board huts or cottages, will find, ready at hand, numercms islands, headlands, portages and bays, admirably suited for camping out. The lakes (Muskoka, R-osseau and Joseph) arc magnificent expanses of water, together nearly 50 miles in length, and thickly dotted in every direc- tion with richly-wooded islets, A daily steamer plies the length of Muskoka and Rosseau, and a semi-weekly steamer on Joseph. Among the many lovely spots on these lakes, we instance a few, as follows : — The western portion of Lake Muskoka, approach- ing and within a few miles of the falls at Bala ; also the river stretching below Bala ; the Narrows, near Gravenhurst ; the river mouth approaching Bracebridge ; the Flower Pot Islands, opposite Tonden Island. On Lake Rosseau, between Port Carling and Port Sandfield, a fairy scene enlivens the few miles' sail between these points, passing the Eagle's Nest Island ; the scenery is also beauti- ful off the mouth of Skeleton River, Irwin's Bay, and looking down the lake from the Rosseau House. Lake Joseph is also equally rich in scenery ; the .<. V ^>'< 6 (JUIDE TO MUSKOKA. view is particularly fine looking down the lake from the Summit House, at Port Cockburn. About five miles from here, in full view, are the two islands of the Muskoka Club of Toronto (Islands Yohocucaba and Pegamogabo), where a cottage and a small wharf has been erected for the use of the ladies and gentle- men of the club, who spend a considerable portion of the summer months here. Numerous other lakes fall into the three lakes which we have described, all ecxually attractive, but not yet so accessible. All the lakes of this region are well sheltered from violent gales, owing to their limited size, and being studded so thickly with islands, rendering it per- fectly safe to venture out in small boats. The Route of Travel. The Northern Railway of Canada is the great high- way to the FAe Grant District of Muskoka, afford- ing through railway connection from Toronto, where it forms connections from all points east and west, by Lake Oatario steamers from Niagara, Kingston, and Montreal, and by the Grand Trunk, Great West- ern, and Toronto, Grey and Bruce lines. The Northern runs three passenger trains per day, viz., at 7 and 11. 15 a.m. and 4 p.m. The business man, to whom rapidity and close connections are of importance, will do best to take the early morning train, and travel all *' rail " to Washago, which is 100 miles from Toronto, and is situated at the boundary of the Free Grant Terri- tory. This is only a temporary terminus, pending the completion of the link (now under construc- tion) which shall establish the terminus at Graven- ■ -*■»- — THE ROUTE OF TRAVEL. hurst on Lake Muskoka, with a probable subse- quent extension to Bracebridge . Leaving Toronto by this route, the passenger will pass through many populous and prosperous towns and villages, and through a rich agricultural country, which (especially in the neighbourhood of Aurora and Newmarket) is highly picturesque, and illus- trates a very high standard of farming and its wealth. • The height of land between Lakes Ontario and Huron is reached at the summit (26 miles from Toronto) which is 755 feet above the level of Lake Ontario, and 415 feet above that of Lake Huron. At 42 miles the line passes over what is known as the Holland River Marsh, a locality celebrated amongst sportsmen for its abundant sypply of snipe, wild duck, etc., and for maskinonge and bass fish- ing. Passing northwards we come to the Lefroy Junc- tion, with the Bell Ewart branch ^(|jinecting with Lake Simcoe, of which special mention will be presently made ; and thence onward to Allandale, a station which for beauty of location (at the head of Kempenfeldt Bay), and for completeness as a junc- tion and refreshment station, is without a rival in Canada. It is here that the Muskoka traveller leaves the main line for the Muskoka branch, the first station upon which (65 miles from Toronto) is that of the prosperous town of Barrie, the county town of Simcoe, with an active population numbering about 5,000. Passing over a line of exceptional excellence of construction, and through a country of great agri- cultural promise, although as yet but partially under 8 GUIDE TO MUSKOKA. cultivation, the town of Orillia (80 miles from Toronto) is reached. Situated most picturesquely at the foot of Lake Couchiching, and nestling in the shadow of hii^hlands U> tiie rear, this pros- perous place, of 2,500 inhabitants, owes its progress to being to a large extent the lumbering centre of the district, whence supplies are distributed to " the lumber shanties,'' and where the operations of that great trade are largely controlled. Some two miles further on is the pretty Swiss station of **the Lake Couchiching Hotel," an at- tractive summer resort, to which we shall refer in more detail in connection with the ** water" or *^ pleasure" route. Immediately beyond this is the ** Narrows," being the water channel uniting Lakes Simcoe and Cou- chiching. liere the traveller will find a great and most interesting work in the swing bridge, worthy in itself, as w^l as in its picturesque surroundings, of careful ins^ction. Thence, onwards again, the line passes through the Indian settlement of a tribe of the Ojibbeways, but as the location of the road hereabouts is through forests, there is not much to indicate the presence of the ^'red man," or otherwise to interest the traveller. And so '^Washago" is reached, as the present terminus of the line, whence *^ the portage " of 14 miles between Lakes Couchiching and Muskoka has to be made bv carriasjes. And here we will rest with the '* business traveller," until we return and describe the *' pleasure " or '' water " route to this point from Toronto, in the interest of the tourist, who likes to take his ease and leisure, and travels rather for enjoyment than for material profit. THE ROITTB OP TivAvni... 9 Your tourist then phoukl avail himself of the ** Steamboat Express Train," leaving Toronto at the comfortable hour of 11 .15 a.m. , always furnished with magnificent palace parlo\ir cars that would do credit to the great Pullman himself, and the charge for the use of which is really insigniticant, and scarcely w^orth the cost of counting. Runriing rapidly over 50 miles of the line already described, this train diverges at Lefroy, already mentioned, to Bell Ewart, a pretty station able season. Joseph's Lake, so much fancied for its Clearwater and good fishing, is three miles distant from this village. Also, Perch Lake, Pickerel Lake and several others, close to the road. West from Port Carling aJso, Silver Lake, ten minutes' walk from the village ; and two miles further on is Terry's Lake. All these small lakes abound with fish, and are the resort for visitors during the summer. Lakes Muskoka and Rosseau are becoming generally well known for their romantic scenery and good fish- ing, and with the commodious steamer "Nipissing" sailing on their waters, will well repay tourists for their trouble in visiting this district. There is good accommodation for visitors at the vil- lage, and boats and guides can always be had. The Polar Star kept here by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, though at present not a very pretentious building, is, however, highly spoken of by travellers and tourists. Guests are well cared for, and made to feel at home. There is an air of neatness abont the place, and charges are very moderate. ROSSEAU Is delightfully nestled on beautiful rising ground, at the head of Lake Rosseau, and is likely to become a very important town. It is the starting point for daily steamers and stages. It contains at present cwo large hotels, three stores, telegraph office, post office, etc. Mails arrive daily from Toronto by steamer. A daily stage also runs to Parry Sound, and a semi-weekly to Maganetawan ami Lake Nipissing. Rosseau is already becoming a favourite summer resort ; and, with the railway completed to Gravenhurst, and the gravel roads to Georgian Bay (at Parry Sound) and to Maganetawan and Lake Sipissing, it will become vei'y shortly quite a centre of travel. The place is, to 18 (JIJIDK TO MUSKOKA. some extent, noted for being the abiding place of ** Pratt/' the pro])rietor of the Rosseau House. Mr. P. has seen a good deal of the world, and knows how to keep a hotel. He is very ably seconded by Mrs. P., who gives a large amount of personal superintendence to house-keeping, and has a thorough knowledge of the culinary art. Mr. B. W. Ross keeps the other house, the Nipissing ; and as mine host ** Walker" is so well known everywhere, as a genial, obliging fellow, farther comment would be superfluous. The ** Nipissing" leaves Rosseau every morning, making a circuit of Lakes Rosseau and Muskoka. PORT SAND FIELD Is situated on the short canal of the same name, between Lakes Rosseau and Joseph. There are no places of ac- commodation here ; it is, however, a very suitable spot for camping — at present the only mode of living at this place for tourists. The bass and trout fishing in this neighborhood is excellent. Mr. Shaffer, a settler, caught some very large salmon trout here, one weighing 351b. This place received its name in honor of the then Premier of Ontario, named, in a formal manner, by the Rev. A. Styleman Herring, in 1870, in the presence of the late Hon. J. S. Macdonald, Hon. Mr. Carling, Hon. Mr. Richards, Mr. Cumberland, M.P.P., Mr. Lount, M.P.P., Mr. Cockburn, M.P.P., and others. The ** Wenonah " calls here semi- weekly. POET COCKBURN Ts beautifully situated at the head of Lake Joseph, and commands a fine view down the lake. It is one of the prettiest spots on the lakes of Muskoka. Contains a very comfortable hotel (the Summit House), kept by PORT SYDNEY. 19 Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Fraser, both of whom have had large experience in hotel-keeping both in Canada and the United States, always, deservedly, enjoying a high reputation. There is also a store, post-ottice, and a good road, IJ miles, forming a junction with the Parry Sound road at Mr. Symington's, near Trout Lake. The steamer '* Wenonah " calls here semi -weekly for the accommodation of passengers, making close connec- tions with the ci^ily steamer on the other lakes. BALA Is situated at the outlet of Lake Muskoka, about 20 miles north-west from Gravenhurst. The steamer calls here every Tuesday and Saturday. There is a beauti- ful fall here, supplying immense water power. Mr. Thos. Burgess has a saw-mill here, and keeps the post- office The scenery in this vicinity is very line. Bass, pickerel and salmon trout fishing is also very good, and four miles down the stream there is excellent maskin- onge fishing (at Moon river). There being no hotel accomodation here, parties coming must provide them- selves with tents and provisions. POBT SYDNEY. Sixteen miles from Bracebridge is situated the new village of Port Sydney.. It stands on a gentle elevation above one of the gems of Muskoka, a most enchanting and romantic piece of water (Mary's Lake), which is the commencement of a chain of lovely lakes abounding with fish, and their shores with game. At the head of , Mary's Lake is a navigable branch of the great Mus- koka River, which, by locks now in the course of con- struction, opens a communication with Fairy and Ver- 20 OUIDE TO MUSKOKA. J' i non Lakes. From Fairy Lake a narrow stream loads to Peninsula Lake ; from I'eninsula l^ake a portage of threeMjiiarters of a mile brings one to the head of the Lake of Bays. The rising village of Port Sydney may be readied by mail stage from Bracebridge ihree times a week, via Utterson. A eoneession is being opened up whieh will bring Fort Sydney nearer than oy Utterson, and by a more level road. The village at present contains an excellent hotel, kept by Mr. and Mrs. Morgan, called the Sydney Hotel, where a supply of boats, etc., is kept ; a saw-mill, two stores, and others in the course of construction. A line new church, erected principally through the great exertions of its present pastor, the Rev. Edwin Cooper, presents a beautiful object on an eminence overlooking the lake. Several neat residen- ces, with clearings of some extent, adorn the shores of Mary's Lake, whose gladdening surface is studded with many islands where berries of various kinds are plenti- ful in the season, and which afford delightful places for pic-nics, etc. This lonely piece of water affords many attractions to the tourist, and to those seeking health or recreation, in the summer or autumn months. The lake being of limited size, there is less danger from storms than on some of the larger waters of Muskoka. About the middle of July to October may be called the pleasantest season ; for the flies that annoy more or less in May or June, have all disappeared. The mail accommodation is good — the delivery being three times a week ; the weekly papers arriving on Saturday at mid-day. From this locality many delightful excursions can be planned, especially when the steamboat commences its trips. As respects accommodation for private parties, we have heard that there are private families here who^ would be willing to receive parties for the summer months ; so what with the hotel and this, tourists and loads -ge of t the dby , via I will l)y a s aii ailed , is on MAG AN ETA WAN. 21 others need not at present feai* any laek of aecommoda tion. HUNTSVILLE. An important village situated on the Muskoka Coloniz- ation road, and upon the north braneh of the Muskoka iJiver, is '25 miles north-east of I^racebridge. The large navigable river running out of Lake Vernon into Fairy Lake, 2^ miles, passes through the vilhige. These waters ccmtain salmon trout and other kinds of fish. The village contains four stores, large hotel, post-otlice, with tri-weekly mail service. The future prospects of this village are excellent. The neighbourhood is Family Seas-. JCmT Addrgfs all enquirica to th*i Managar. Exci OE Orclt —i ' - ii iJ." ' "! ! ' -rrnr mT-T-.-5n1rmiinrir.Tr T, ADVERTISEMENTS. HARVIE & MILLAED, tage anir pbcrg ^laMrs. Excursion and Pic-Nic Parties supplied with Comfortable Rigs. oFiTicDBS J^rr OEILLIA, WASH AGO, GRAVENHURST. Orders from Pleasure Parties or Commercial men, by either telegraph or post, ATTENDED TO WITH PROMPTNESS. ADVERTISEMENTS. i=*OK.x c-^jL.E,iL,iisra-. TOURISTS AND PLEASURE SEEKERS. T>EGS to announce to tourists, and the travelling pub- lic generally, that he has every accommodation at the POLAR STAR HOTEL (The Loci's, Port Carlinn). Excellent fishing and beautiful scenery in the im- mediate vicinity. The '* Nipissing " calls morning and ^ evening. BOATS TO LET. J. W. T. also keeps on hand all Liquors, and of the best brands; Champagne, Cognac, Claret, Whiskies' etc. The utmost attention paid to Travellers. J. W. T, begs to inform his friends and the public generally, that he has made great additions to his Hotel this Spring. ADVERTISEMENTS. ^RS. ng pub- Lodation the im- ing and I of the hiskies* public is Hotel Tackle Trade Mark. t*,*' <■- • .. ;.».« S. ALLCOCK, C. LAIGHT & CO., MANUFACTURERS OF Fishing Hooks and Tackle, Needle Xeertle i.1 British Needles, Importers and Dealers in r~^:.im^ SMALLWARES AND FANCY GOODS. Trade Mark, Trade Mark. 54 YONGE STREET, TORONTO. ANP AT REDDITCH» ENGLAND. S. a. STOODLEY, Manager. ADVERTISEMENTS. PISHING TACKLE, FANCY GOODS, DAILY NEWSPAPERS, BOOKS, PERIODICALS, MAGAZINES, CiaAIlS, etc, AT VERY MODERATE PRICES, I'^HE undersigned having leased a commodious room (formeily occupied as bar saloon) on board the steamer *' Nipissing," will always bo in attendance on board to supply passengers with articles of the above mentioned description (no spirituous liquors however). JOHN DAVIES. June 1, 1874. fiii a 1) \s// W-^ ^^ V^ >l^ Butchery Sausage Maker, Baker, ID EJ .A. Ill E Pt I3Sr Biscuit, Cheese, &c., BAY STREET (near Bromn!s Hotel), GRAVEN HUIIST. THOMAS mOfJOBEtL* Ut June, 1874. ^ GOODS, MAGAZINES, nodious room on board tlio f a-tteiidaiice on j of the above ors however). VIES. S9V «HB^ BakeVj i\ Hotel), lUk^ ADTERTISEMENTS. @Wl^i H@1?l£ 9 GRA VENHURST, MUSKOKA, ONT, DUGALD BROWN, Proprietor. 1'^HTS Commodious Hotel is situated on the corner _ of MU8K0KA and BAY STREETS, and is con- veniently near to the Steamboat Landing. The house contains forty rooms. Board $1 per Day. FREE OMNIBUS TO AND FROM THE BOAT. Gravenhurst, 1st June, 1874. Muskoka Bakery. And Oommission Merchant, TJESPECTFULLY announces that he is prepared on ix short notice, to supply PRIVATE FAMILIES, PIC-NIC PARTIES, BANQUETS, etc., on the most Liberal Terms. Bracebrid^e, Muskoka, Ist June, 1«74. % r ADVEKTISKMENTS. fc'^. "V^* V'"» 7 KING STREET WEST, TORONTO,