Esturion at Original Wharf
George Crandell founded Sturgeon Point as a cottage community and steamboat destination in 1876. In this photograph, Esturion, the finest vessel of the rival Trent Valley Navigation Company, lands at the (original) Lower Wharf. In the years that followed, the wharf was superseded by a landing further west on the point, and this site is now private.
Swananoah's Boat House
Swananoah fronts the Sandbar, adjacent to the Lower Wharf, and was built for Sir Joseph Flavelle in 1907. It boasts one of the most distinctive boathouses on the lake.
Sturgeon Point Hotel
The Sturgeon Point Hotel was built in 1876 for George Crandell, with 40 rooms, billiard tables, a bowling alley, dance hall, croquet, tennis, a sandy beach, canoes and rowboats. It burned June 15, 1896, and is now private cottage lots (just east of Swananoah).
Lower Wharf
Located immediately in front of the hotel, the Lower Wharf handled most nineteenth century traffic to the point. After the hotel burned, it was superseded by the Upper Wharf, and has since regrown with trees.
The Sandbar
Immediately beside the hotel was the Sandbar, which was one of the most notable natural features on Sturgeon Lake. It is now much diminished from its former size. Swananoah's boathouse appears on the right.
Enjoying the Sandbar
The Sandbar has hosted many pleasant social events over the years, and is a wonderful place to enjoy Sturgeon Lake.
Early Photo of Sandbar
One of the earliest images of the Sturgeon Point is this gathering on the Sandbar.
Walkey's Store
Florence Walkey had handled the lunchroom and store at the Sturgeon Point Hotel until it burned, then opened her own store at the intersection of First Street and Lake Avenue, which met the needs of local residents and visitors alike. Unfortunately, it too burned in 1915.
Lakeview Inn
Mrs. Walkey regrouped from the loss of her store, opening the popular Lakeview Inn, located between 3rd and 4th Streets. It ultimately became yet another landmark to succumb to fire in February 1956.
Looking East from Lakeview Inn
The pretty road to the east of the Lakeview Inn looked back towards the former site of Mrs. Walkey's store.
Cycling in front of Swananoah
The stretch of Lake Avenue in front of Swananoah served as an illustration when Sturgeon Point was promoted as a cylcing and tourist destination at the turn of the century. Bicycles were just then becoming common, coincident with the development of suitable roads.
Campers on Irene Avenue
Irene Avenue has developed significantly since these campers from Bury's Green were photographed in the 1950s. Yet the forests that line either side are quite recognizable and it remains a wonderful place to go for a walk.
At 5th Street
Though it now has a streetlight, Lake Avenue at 5th Street has changed little in the last century. Could some of the trees from the original picture still be standing?
Carpenters in Front of the New Sturgeon Point Union Church, 1915
After Sturgeon Point began developing as a cottage community in 1876, it was largely populated by prominent Lindsay business owners. These summer residents appreciated the opportunity to attend Sunday service, but belonged to different denominations. They worked together to found a non-denominational church in 1889. It held services in a gazebo-like structure—there was no need for year-round services. Then in 1915, Mrs. J.W. Flavelle (Clara) gifted a new church to the community. While almost all churches in the region were rectangular, the new Sturgeon Point Union Church was an octagonal building, which was a striking architectural specimen. Given its unique design, working on the church must have been an interesting experience for the carpenters who built it.
Upper Wharf
After the Sturgeon Point Hotel burned in 1896 traffic shifted to a newer wharf located further west on Lake Avenue. When ships arrived at the wharf, carters with horses and wagons would help travellers move their trunks to their cottages. In 1900, a rain shelter was built at the Upper Wharf at a cost of $315.83, then the wharf was rebuilt four years later. Here the Stoney Lake arrives, filled to capacity.
Esturion at the Upper Wharf
The Trent Valley Navigation Company's Esturion approaches the new Upper Wharf as two passengers wait. One of the finest steamers ever to serve the Kawarthas, it had beautiful ash and bird's eye maple woodwork, with red plush upholstery. The Esturion plied between Bobcaygeon and Lindsay, stopping at Sturgeon Point on the way. Return fare was $1 and a season pass $10. Sturgeon Point was one of the best-served communities in the Kawarthas by steamers, making it possible for Lindsay business owners to stay at the cottage for the summer. The transportation companies were also pivotal in making the local regatta a major event. Thousands of visitors would have to buy a ticket for the steamer and also perhaps the railway.
Waiting for a Steamer
Passengers await a steamer at the Upper Wharf. The rain shelter looks much the same today.
At the Upper Wharf
Another early image of the Upper Wharf.
Mackenzie's Yacht
Mackenizie's yacht at the Upper Wharf.
Lookout
Just north of the Upper Wharf was a bench and lookout to enjoy beautiful Sturgeon Lake and watch the steamers come in.
Boathouses
Many distinctive boathouses have graced Sturgeon Point's waterfront over the years, some have served for generations
Waterfront East of 3rd Street
Several old boat hoses (since replaced) and Walkey's store (burned) were once situated west of Swananoah.
Regatta
Many visitors attended the Sturgeon Point Regatta along Lake Avenue, west of Swananoah, circa 1900. This distinctive boathouse has changed little since then. Note that the original postcard was hand tinted by someone who had never seen the original scene in colour.
East of the Hotel
The shoreline east of the old hotel property.
Charlie Gray Builds a Dock
For a generation, Charlie Gray kept Sturgeon Point running. He built cottages, cut the grass, plowed the roads, raked the leaves, and drove around daily to ensure that everything was just as it should be. He never charged anything like what his work was actually worth. Practically everyone at Sturgeon Point had a deep appreciation for Charlie. In this original photograph, he is seated on the tractor, installing a dock at Barrett's cottage.
