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| Vision - 1898 | |
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A respected businessman with a big family, entering middle age, Walter Page has
come a long way since he travelled to Canada as a boy. But some things haven't changed;
his friendship with Henry Shaw is still strong, and so is his passion for nature. Together
the two men have been exploring the beautiful lakes, rivers and forests of Canada for many
years. Camping out at night, they build a campfire and cook the fish they caught that day,
smoke their hooked pipes, and enjoy the perfect peace of the wilderness. Georgian Bay, already accessible by rail, is a frequent destination for canoe trips. Page and Shaw are interested in exploring an area known as Muskoka, to the north of the city. The main industry is lumber, and some farmers have settled there, but already a few hardy Toronto adventurers have discovered that Muskoka is the perfect place for an outdoor vacation. Since the 1860s, intrepid travellers have been exploring the islands and lakes of Muskoka by boat, camping, and even building simple cottages. Page and Shaw set out for Georgian Bay, aiming to reach Muskoka by canoe. They paddle the Musquash River until they reach its source in Lake Muskoka. It's worth the journey. Both Page and Shaw are so moved by the magnificence of the scenery, the rugged shore of Canadian Shield rock, the thick pine trees and the undesecrated lakes, that they realize their connection with Muskoka will last forever. Both men decide to by land on the lake. Shaw buys an island, and, for $1 an acre, Page purchases 54 acres of land on a rugged point that will become known as Page's Point. From the moment they see Muskoka and fall in love with it, Shaw and Page plan to build summer homes there and bring their families to enjoy this natural paradise. In a sense they are visionaries, foreseeing the transformation of this lumbering and farming area into the summer playground it will become - and remains 100 years later. | |
Next, Renewal - 1928 | |
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THE MAN - THE LEGEND - THE PRODUCT SITE MAP | |