In the Beginning ~ History of the 

South East Georgian Bay Region

In the early 1600’s, the first Europeans came to the area, with fur
traders and French missionaries travelling from the St. Lawrence to
Huronia. Samuel de Champlain canoed to Georgian Bay in 1615. The
fur trade and lumbering opened up the region from Collingwood to
Midland, Waubaushene, Honey Harbour, Port Severn, Severn Bridge
and northward to Muskoka and Parry Sound. Fishing and Hunting
clubs sprung up in the late 1800’s making annual expeditions led by
local Ojibwa guides to Six Mile Lake or Georgian Bay. From 1915
to the 1950’s, guide boats were a daily signt on the Severn River. But
by the end of the war, the pattern of tourism changed, with camps, summer
cottages and fast boats becoming the norm and numerous hotels on the
Trent Severn and Georgian Bay making the area one of the most popular
tourist areas in Canada.

Honey Harbour

Folklore accounts: from as early as the time of the Hurons - said to
have found wild bees and honey- to the lumbermen of the nineteenth
century; the captain of a schooner blown off course toward Present
Island; a commercial honey producer from Beeton in Simcoe County; and
the public land surveyor in 1878, all found large deposits of honey in the
area.

Port Severn

Oldest community on the Severn, it was a “company town” dominated by
the lumber industry. Robinson, Sanson, Christie, and finally Georgian
Bay Lumber were the line of lumber companies that owned all the lands,
the houses, stores, the hotel, and the only industry in town, until the
sawmill burned down in 1896. Originally called Severn Mills, people
have lived in the community since 1850.

MacTier

Originally known as Muskoka Station, it was founded in 1882 by the
Canadian Pacific Railway, which used the community as a divisional
train-switching point for their north/south destinations. In 1908, Hugh
Anderson opened a general store. In the same year, a new Post Office
was built. However, Canada Post identified a problem with the town’s
name as being frequently confused with two other communities, Muskoka
Wharf and Muskoka Falls, since mail bags were delivered in error to
Muskoka Station and vice versa. Mr. Anderson was asked to choose a
new name for the town, so he named it after A.D. MacTier, who was
the General Superintendent of the CPR’s eastern division at the time.

Coldwater

In Severn Township, Coldwater is located between Orillia and
Midland on the Coldwater River. Chief John Aisance and his band of
Chippewa settled at what is now Coldwater in 1830, calling the place
Gissinausebing, which means “cold water”. A grist mill was built on the
site in 1833, and a post office was established in 1835 with the name
Coldwater. The native people owned the mill until 1849. Coldwater
was opened to European settlement in 1836, and was incorporated in
1908.

Waubaushene

Waubaushene is located in the Township of Tay, at the junction of
Highway 400 and the western leg of Highway 12 (it was the terminus
of Highway 400 from the mid-1970’s until 1996) The site of
modern –day Waubaushene was historically notable as the place where
Canadian Martyrs Jean de Brebeuf and Gabriel Lallemant,
missionaries from the nearby Sainte-Marie among the Hurons, were
killed. In 1997 a small chapel was consecrated at Waubaushene in
honour of the martyrs; the chapel was later moved to Midland and
remains and active church as the Martyrs’ Shrine.

Blazing the Trail

From yesteryear to today… from the earliest trails of the Huron and Iroquois First Nation hunters and
fishers to the first encounter with the Europeans in 1615 to the canoe routes opening up the area for
the lumber industry and the logging trails of the Muskoka Mills and the Georgian Bay Lumber Company
in the 1800’s… the Canadian Pacific Railway bringing in construction material, food and supplies, and
new families…marked the way for these early businesses and suppliers who provided the needs of the
pioneers and adventurers in the Georgian Bay wilderness for the foundation of business today.
Campfire Stories
Logging camps, fish camps and hunting lodges were moments in history that led to the influx of tourists
to resorts and lodges in the early 1900’s. Some of the early camps disappeared with the waning lumber
industry; some of them changed hands and changed names. Severn Lodge, Wiancko House, Severn Inn,
Royal Hotel, Severn River Inn, Rawley Lodge, Bayview Inn and the Delawana Inn became destinations for
the new tourist. While some of these historic structures were destroyed by fire, others have stood the
test of time and remain as icons of hospitality.
Eventually, the release of Crown Land in the ‘50’s opened up to a new era of developing cottage
properties, and the burgeoning construction boom strengthened the economy of the region.

Our Own Best Kept Secret

We’re north of the much publicized Greater Toronto Area. We know that we’re our own best kept
secret, and that works to your advantage, as the area is not as crowded as those with hundreds of manmade
“attractions”. Our attraction is the wildlife, the outdoor sports that require room to run and play,
and helpful easy‐going residents that will take the time to tell you about the area. Our attraction is an
area that people visit and later move to because of the quality of life here. So, for a change of pace,
come to visit, and if you want to stay, we completely understand. 
Driving Distances
• 142 km (85 miles) north of Toronto
• 90 minutes away from Lester B. Pearson International Airport
• 5.5 hours from Detroit
• 1.5 hours from North Bay
• Only 20‐30 minutes from Midland, Orillia and Barrie
Discover Things to do…
Southeast Georgian Bay is a recreation area like no other! There’s more to this area than you might
imagine, and that means that there’s a fair amount of things to do. Here’s a partial list:
• Play a round of golf amidst breathtaking views of sparkling lakes and wind, swept trees.
• Shop for unique gifts and furnishings made by local artists and artisans.
• Spend a day at the local art galleries, enjoy local studio tours.
• Browse our antique stores and family‐owned shops
• Enjoy fine dining at romantic inns, and restaurants in the area.
• Take in some live theatre, musical theatre and dramatic shows within a half‐hour’s drive.
• Spend a day on a paddle wheeler, the Serendipity Princess, on Gloucester Pool which is between
Lock 45 and Lock 44 on the Trent Severn Waterway.
• Drive around and take pictures of fall foliage (leaf‐peeping).
• Rent a canoe or kayak, or bring your own, for leisurely or extreme paddling!
• Camp out on the shores of a lake under the magnificent starry skies.
• Rent a boat for fishing or a scenic ride, discover the countless kilometers of shoreline.
• Stay at a cottage resort or private cottage.
• Go swimming in the fresh waters.
• Tap your feet to the sounds of jazz at the free summer band concerts.
• Start thinking about that award‐winning vacation home!
• Take a drive along the scenic highways and winding byways!
• Snowmobile on un‐crowded and well‐maintained trails.
• Skiing and snowshoeing are close by.
• Treasure the experience of skating on the lake or at a local community rink.
Ice fishing‐ Hut rentals available in our communities.
• Find a local Museum and search your family genealogy.

Trail Systems

ATV CLUBS
Like snowmobile trails, ATV trails are maintained by volunteers and members of the local ATV clubs.
Trails use private lands and riding responsibly helps to ensure that the private landowners continue to
allow access. Local clubs emphasize safe and legal fun. No dirt bikes are allowed on the trails. To operate
an ATV you need a valid motor vehicle license and, of course, your helmut. Check the local clubs for
membership information and activities. Trails are open from April 1st to December 1st.

Winter Adventures Await YOU!

The dramatic landscape of the Canadian Shield adds excitement to our winters! Beautiful vistas of
granite, frozen lakes, and the tall twisted pines provide endless opportunities for experiencing the trail
systems in our area by machine or on foot.

SNOWMOBILING
A fabulous snowmobiling destination, the Muskoka Snowmobile Region is the first district north of
Toronto with consistent snow conditions to maintain a 1600 kilometre network of trails for short loops
or multiple day journeys. You’ll discover miles and miles of sweeping, well‐groomed snowmobile trails
which wind through some beautiful countryside. The trails offer dramatic views of frozen lakes and
stunning dense forests, breathtaking snow‐clad hills and valleys. Clubs maintain the trails and work with
local landowners to ensure access across private lands. Check for information and conditions. Contact
one of the local snowmobile clubs before you arrive to make sure you have the latest local news,
regulations, trail conditions, trail permits, club info.
Hiking, Snowshoeing, Cross Country Skiing
There is no shortage of places to hike in the southeast Georgian Bay region. Some of the trails include:
• Six Mile Lake Provincial Park and Georgian Bay Islands National park: have clearly marked trails.
• McCrae Lake Conservation Trail: Georgain Bay Rd. 2.8 KM out and back, moderate to difficult.
• Tay Shore Trail: paved and non‐motorized, along the shores of Waubaushene.
Driving Tours
Big Chute and Georgian Bay
Approximately 50 Km/30 miles. Start and finish at Port Severn, about 1‐2 hours, depending on
number of stops.
1) From Port Severn, travel north on Highway 400 to Exit 162
2) At Exit 162 take Muskoka Road 34 east to Big Chute, and watch the Marine Railway in
action.
3) Return on Muskoka Road 34, cross Hwy 400 and continue west on Muskoka Road 48 to
Muskoka Road 5
4) Right on Muskoka Rd. 5 to Honey Harbour
5) Return down Muskoka Road 5 to Port Severn
Tour Highlights:
• The historic Big Chute Marine Railway, which gently carries boats right out of the water and
up or down almost 18 metres of Muskoka granite hillside.
• Picturesque Port Severn, which has the last lock on the 386 Kilometre Trent‐Severn
Waterway and is the Gateway to Georgian Bay. Visit the new Parks Canada Welcome Centre
at Lock 45! Lone Pine Road is the location for the Welcome Centre, Bressette House.
• Honey Harbour and the heart of the 30,000 Islands, including Beausoliel Island, which is the
crown jewel of Georgian Bay Islands National Park.
• Grab a map and a camera and find your own special spots!

BOATING –
Waterfront is the most popular past time for the area. You have many Lake systems with access to visit
any day any time…….
You can go anywhere in the world from here by boat! The Trent Severn Waterway starts at Lock 1 Trenton, ON and ends at Lock 45 Port Severn.
The Trent System is manmade waterway designed to navigate in the logging industry to larger bodies of
water, like Lake Ontario and Georgian Bay – Lake Huron. Now used as a Vacation Destination. The Trent
Severn Waterway’s highest point is on Balsam Lake which is a spring fed lake and the water flows out of
the lake both ways…..down to Lake Ontario ‐ Lock 1 and down to Georgian Bay‐Port Severn ‐ Lock 45.
The waters of Georgian Bay and the Trent Severn Waterway offer boating experiences and water sports
for the veteran and less‐experienced alike. Considered to be one of the most picturesque parts of the
Trent Severn System between Lock 44 ‐ Big Chute & Lock 45 in Port Severn with Gloucester Pool,
MacLean Lake, Little Lake and Baxter Lake for all your boating pleasures. Port Severn is the southern
‘Gateway’ to Canada’s newest UNESCO bio‐sphere reserve ( the Georgian Bay Littoral Biosphere
Reserve). It is where the 365 Kilometres of the Trent Severn Waterway rush out to the Bay. It is a great
place to start your journey to Beausoliel Island, the cairn at the Municipal Dock in Honey Harbour
commemorating Samuel de Champlain’s arrival in 1615, the legendary Giant’s Tomb, lighthouses, and
the many islands that dot the pristine waters of Honey Harbour, Cognashene and Go Home Bay. The
30,000 Islands, Just a short Boat cruise north, offers memorable views of ancient Canadian Shield Rock,
Pine trees and sparkling vistas.