Following the War of 1812, expeditions traversed the wilderness between Lakes Simcoe and Muskoka and the Ottawa River, seeking a route across Upper Canada less open to attack than by the St. Lawrence and Lake Ontario. In 1819, Lieutenant J.P. Catty, R.E., crossed by way of Balsam and Kashagawigamog Lakes and the York and Madawaska Rivers. Lieutenant Henry Briscoe, R.E., and Ensign Durnford, R.E., ascended the Muskoka in 1826, proceeding via Lake of Bays, Lake Opeongo and the Petawawa. Other expeditions through Muskoka were led by: Alexander Shirreff, 1829; Lieutenant J. Carthew, R.N., and Lieutenant F.H. Baddeley, R.E., 1835; and David Thompson, 1837.

Location

Near the government wharf opposite Lincoln Lodge Hotel, Highway 117, Baysville

Themes

• Exploration
• Transportation systems and communications
• War and conflict