Although it is possible a few settlers to Muskoka were aware of the region’s tourism possibilities, most were too consumed by the foreboding realities of too much rock, swamp and forest.

While these brave and hardy souls of the 1860’s were thrashing down woodlots to accommodate modest agricultural pursuits, sportsman from the urban environs of particularly Southern Ontario and the United States, were traipsing about the wilds looking for game and angling opportunities.

One of these backwoods gad-abouts was Timothy Eaton, department store magnate, who may or may not have inspired the establishment of one of Muskoka’s best-known Resort-hotels. Eaton, needing a dry, comfortable lodging, happened upon a hillside residence belonging then, in the 1870’s, to Thomas Aitken, legendary proprietor of Lake Rosseau’s landmark, Windermere House. At the time Aitken and a stubborn contingency of like-minded settlers, were attempting to carve out a means of sustenance in those modest clearings in the Muskoka woodlands.

Aitken welcomed Eaton to lodge with his family over several days, and the guest, being so grateful for the host’s kindness, suggested he open even more rooms in the future, to accommodate wayward travellers.

Eaton was so pleased with the future site of the hamlet of Windermere that he purchased a point of lakeshore from Francis Forge, which later became known as Ravenscrag, where a luxurious summer home was constructed. Just as Eaton inspired Thomas Aitken to build onto his homestead to supplement his income, his stay at the future hotelier’s homestead led, at least partly, to Eaton’s own investment in the fledgling community. Soon Ravenscrag became one of the best-known cottages in Canada, and Windermere House one of the finest lakeside hotels.

In Seymour Penson’s journals, a similar transition from homestead to hotel developed as his family tried to balance the farmstead economy with adverse environs, but an abundant repeating clientele. Soon Ferndale emerged to tap into the budding tourism industry, until it became clear, agriculture was adequate to meet some personal supply needs, but not likely to self sustain. Many early roadhouses and tourist houses needed those garden plots to supply potatoes, onions, and carrots particularly for guests. There is evidence of this in the written profile of McCabes Tavern and Road House, in present day Gravenhurst, in the book “Muskoka-The First Islanders”, by the good Mr. Mason.

Although they began as homesteaders, they adapted quickly to need, and that was the early seed, and sprouting of Muskoka’s number one industry, hale and hardy all the way into this new century.

Ted Currie is a freelance writer/historian in Muskoka always interested in new adventures, He can be reached at birch_hollow@sympatico.ca or visit his web site at http://muskoka_books.tripod.com/muskoka