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 the settlement. The road was completed to the site of Bracebridge by 1861, and the adjacent bushland formed into the townships of Morrison, Muskoka, Draper and Macaulay.

Location

In Kahshe River Park, Highway 11, about 8 km south of Gravenhurst

Themes

• Communities
• Transportation systems and communications