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• Dr. Henry Norman Bethune 1890-1939
  An internationally famed humanitarian, surgeon and revolutionary, Bethune was born in this house. He graduated from the University of Toronto's medical school during the First World War and saw extensive service in that conflict. While at Montreal's Royal Victoria Hospital 1929-1933, he gained widespread recognition as a thoracic surgeon. Increasing concern with social and political issues took him to Spain in 1936, where he organized Canadian medical aid for the Loyalist troops and set up...

• Founding of Gravenhurst, The
  The Muskoka Road, constructed to open the district north of Washago for settlement, had reached this point at the head of Lake Muskoka by 1859. A community soon developed and, in 1862, a post office named Gravenhurst was opened here. Four years later, Alexander Cockburn launched the "Wenonah," the first steamboat on the Muskoka Lakes, and Gravenhurst was established as the southern terminus of navigation and the centre of a developing tourist industry. Lumbering further...

• Muskoka Road 1858, The
  During the 1850s and 1860s the government attempted to open up the districts lying north of the settled townships by means of "Colonization Roads". Free land was offered to persons who would settle along the route, clear a stated acreage and help maintain the road. In 1858, construction began on a road from Washago to the interior of Muskoka. R.J. Oliver was appointed the government land agent at Severn Bridge and directed the progress of...

• Steamboating in Muskoka 1866-1959
  Steam navigation on the Muskoka Lakes began in 1866, when the paddle vessel "Wenonah" went into service. Built at Gravenhurst, she was owned by A.P. Cockburn (1837-1905), who served as the federal Member of Parliament for Muskoka, 1872-82, and for North Ontario, 1882-87. The "Wenonah" was the first of a line of ships known after 1872 as the Northern Lakes Navigation Company, and after 1949 as the Muskoka Lakes Line. Its ships were among many...

• Toronto, Simcoe and Muskoka Junction Railway Company, The
  This company was incorporated by the Government of Ontario in 1869 to build a line to Lake Muskoka from the Northern Railway of Canada, which extended from Toronto to Barrie and Collingwood. Pressure for its construction came from settlers and lumbermen in the Muskoka region and from Toronto businessmen anxious to develop the City's hinterland. Work was begun at Barrie in 1870 but was hampered by the rugged terrain and continual financial difficulties, which forced...