Lake of Bays Region Offers Rich History for Travelers Seeking a Muskoka Ontario Canadian Tourism GetawayIn addition to the shear beauty of its nature landscape of forest, lakes and wetlands, the Lake of Bays region of North Muskoka Ontario has a rich and fascinating history.
Two dedicated, local organizations understood the importance of preserving the area’s history. The Huntsville and Lake of Bays Railway Society and the Muskoka Pioneer Village joined forces to preserve a valuable piece of the Lake of Bays unique past.
Stretching east from Huntsville all the way through to the southwest boundary of Algonquin Park and encompassing the communities of Baysville, Dwight, and Dorset, the Lake of Bays was originally occupied by the Algonquin and Huron tribes.
In the 1600s, early explorers such as Samuel Champlain passed through the area and were followed by missionaries and later, the first European settlers. To help encourage settlement, the Free Land Grant and Homestead Act of 1868 was created, which offered 200 acres of land, free of charge to settlers willing to clear land and build a home.
Ultimately, logging became the dominant industry of the area, necessitating the construction of a transportation network that included both rail and water.
In an effort to meet the needs of travelers seeking a Canadian getaway, Muskoka’s Lake of Bays sported the first “wilderness” resorts, sometimes as basic as a spare room in someone’s modest farmhouse. As the Muskoka tourism industry took off and tourists began to flock to the Lake of Bay Ontario area, a variety of inns and lodges started to dot the Lake of Bays waterfront. Large, multi-room luxury Muskoka Ontario resorts, such as the Bigwin Inn, were built to cater to the ballooning Canadian tourism industry.
As a direct result of the booming tourism, many resorts and inns were created to meet the needs of individuals desiring to catch a glimpse of this beautiful territory. There are many fine full-service resorts and cottage rental resorts that offer year-round accommodations to those that might want to tour the area and learn more about the past as well as the role Lake of Bays has played as a major North American tourist destination.
Muskoka’s Lake of Bays is also right next door to Ontario Canada’s famous Algonquin Provincial Park, which also boasts a rich history.
For area information and lists of Muskoka vacation accommodators, please visit the North Muskoka Resort Group’s website at
http://www.north-muskoka.com
Lake of Bays is sparkling again. Last night the moon glistened off the ice and this morning we can sit on the dock and watch the ice moving, shifting, tinkling and disappearing down the lake through the streams and waterfalls to the south.
Spring is magical in North Muskoka. As winter starts to let go, water starts to move. Along the shores and trails it is a photographer's delight, with interesting shapes and designs, and something new all the time.
One of the best things about choosing a North Muskoka Resort, is that each are family owned and operated. There are no chain hotels/motels/resorts in our little group, only traditional family run businesses. Now some would say, and frankly they would be right, that that makes us 'quirky' and different. Well we say, 'Absolutely'! We love that we are unique and that you wont find another one of us anywhere in the world. This special family run feeling has led Cedar Grove Lodge to add a new slogan to our original "A Muskoka Tradtion", our new slogan was derived from 82 years of listening to our guests and understanding what makes them come back year after year, this new slogan... "Welcome Home".
