Lakeside Gems

Millionaires' Row boathouse - photo copyright Gabriele Wills

Muskoka boathouses are so much more than shelters for watercraft. They are architectural gems, often reflecting the style of the cottage, some whimsical and ornate, never two the same, all with stories to tell. The spacious second floor – sometimes 60 or more feet long - was used as a ballroom or servants’ quarters, guest suites or the children’s domain.

Photo copyright Gabriele Wills

Some were purposely built as boathouse cottages, as was this lovely century one. For those who crave being near water, there is surely nothing more delightful than feeling like you’re adrift on the lake, serenaded by the lapping waves, and surrounded by the magical light reflected off the water.

The Steamship Era

Photo by Frank Micklethwaite

Getting to a Muskoka resort or cottage was an adventure in itself in the early days, so many vacationers stayed for two or more months. They arrived at the Muskoka Wharf in Gravenhurst by train from Toronto, some, like the Eatons (mentioned in the previous post), in their own private Pullman coaches. Then they boarded one of the grand steamships or their own yachts, three of which can be seen in the photo above.

The leisurely cruise up the lakes could include a fine meal in an oak-panelled dining room with panoramic views of the rocky, pine-tufted islands floating on shimmering blue water.  There were plenty of ports of call as the steamers dropped cottagers and all their trunks and paraphernalia right at their docks. That sometimes included the family silver, pianos, and even cows!

Here we see a mid-lake transfer of passengers, which sounds rather tricky, but was part of the routine. The fleet of up to nine steamships plied different sections of the three interconnected lakes – Muskoka, Rosseau, and Joseph. The regal S.S. Sagamo, which was the largest, could carry 800 passengers and all their stuff. The one on its left is the Segwun, the only one remaining, and at 127 years old, the oldest operating steamship in North America. You can take delightful cruises aboard the Segwun, one of which takes you past Millionaires’ Row, which I mentioned in an earlier posting.

Millionaires' Row

Tourists enchanted by Muskoka often bought land – even entire islands – and built summer homes ranging from simple cabins to sprawling mansions. Around Beaumaris on Lake Muskoka there was an influx of wealthy Americans, especially from Pennsylvania, so this area became known as “Little Pittsburgh” and Millionaires' Row. A million dollars bought a lot in the days when the average wage in North America was $490 per year! Women teachers in Canada were paid only $246 annually, while male teachers earned nearly double that.

Photo copyright Gabriele Wills

This rambling cottage on Buck Island has 14 bedrooms, 8 baths, many of them en suite, and 8 fireplaces, while the entire top floor was a miniature playhouse for the children. The renowned gardens were maintained by 10 full-time gardeners.

Photo copyright Melanie Wills

The president of a Pittsburgh bank built this spacious and luxurious cottage in 1902 on nearby Belle Island at a cost of $80,000. It had a 90-foot long veranda across the front, and the generous interior spaces included a billiard room and several bedrooms with en suite bathrooms and private balconies. A system of bells throughout would summon one of the 26 staff. It also had a private tennis court. Unfortunately this beautiful century cottage burned to the ground during renovations in 2010.