This photo comes from Vintage Muskoka District and depicts Port Carling circa 1906.
From the Town of Muskoka Lakes:
Port Carling, Muskoka’s oldest community, began as an Ojibway settlement. The natives called their village Obajewanung, meaning “gathering place.” Europeans called the settlement “Indian Gardens.” As more white settlers came to the area, the Ojibway relocated to Parry Island, near Parry Sound. In 1860, when surveyor Vernon Wadsworth visited, there were twenty native homes in Port Carling and plenty of cleared land where they grew their crops.
In 1869 Benjamin Hardcastle Johnston applied for a post office. His application was accepted and a post office was established at Baisong Rapids, on the Indian River. Johnston named the post office Port Carling in honour of John Carling (1869). John Carling, the Minister of Public Works had been instrumental in building the locks. These locks would open navigation between Lakes Muskoka and Rosseau.
Port Carling was incorporated as a village in June 1896, with a population of 110 people.
Today Port Carling continues to thrive in its central location at the hub of the lakes. Large ships such as the Segwun and Wenonah II continue to delight visitors as they pass through the centre of town. For the shopper, the village has a huge selection of boutiques and eateries – all if which make Port Carling a tourist mecca from May to October. Its bright new community hall is a popular venue for theatre and musical events. The Norma and Miller Alloway Muskoka Lakes Library is located in Port Carling. This is the Main Branch of two in Muskoka Lakes.
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