Photos republished with permission from Muskoka Heritage Place
705BLACKFLY.COM is honored to have been given permission from Muskoka Heritage Place to share fascinating photographs from their collection that capture the past of the 705 region. Muskoka Heritage Place is home to the Muskoka Museum, Muskoka Pioneer Village, Rotary Village Station, and Portage Flyer Train. They have many wonderful programs to offer, so we urge you to visit them and rediscover Muskoka’s rich history. 705BLACKFLY.COM will continue to share its historical photographs and stories as part of our commitment to preserving the past.
MHP Presents: Then & Now
93 Main St. E. G.S. Wilgress law office 1897-1934. K. Mahaffey made it his law office and home from 1934-1960. The Bookcase operated here from 1970-2012. It was the Wilgress cafe in 2015-2017 and has recently been an Airbnb.
Resorts Of Muskoka: Clyffe House
In 1869, James & Fanny Jenner journeyed from England to settle their land grant on Mary Lake. James managed to clear a large amount of land and had a large maple sugar factory and often they took in hunters.
James & Fanny’s son Robert built a three-storey building “the Annex” with 22 guest rooms and no bathrooms in 1905. The chambermaids would deliver hot water and remove the chamber pots. He also built the two-story Dance Hall and Boat House.
Agnes Jenner, Robert’s wife, would cook three meals a day and snacks for their guests. The 85 guests at Clyffe House would eat in the dining room for $16-$20/person/week in 1920. The Jenners served eggs, milk, and vegetables from their farm.
MHP Presents: Then & Now
71-73 Main St. E Wm Cann built his Toronto-Nippising Hotel here in the early 1870s. It burned in the 1894 fire, and Frank Kent replaced it with a large brick hotel. It was replaced with a Shell Gas Station in 1936 and became Kent Park in 1991.
