- History
- Lore and Stories
- Areas of Concern / Special Places
- Ecology
- Arts and Entertainment
- Recreation
- Food and local products
- Events
- Photo Album
History
In the early 1800s, families purchased large parcels of lakefront and transformed them into picturesque seasonal estates. In the early 1900s, an electric railway replaced the lake steamers and private launches as the main means of transportation. This drew more people and a service economy was created. Over time, many of the large estate properties were subdivided into lakefront and back lots and
communities sprang up bonded by the allure of Lake Simcoe’s south shore. As time passed, many cottages were converted into year-round homes. However, the aura of the “gilded days” still remains.
Lore and Stories
Thomas Mossington was one of this area’s early settlers. He took possession of 291 acres in 1836 on Lot 15, Conc. 9. As was typical of some early homes in the area, the Mossington house was constructed of squared logs. It is said that the house and property were protected by guns strategically positioned along the front of the house and a trap-door inside offered an escape for occupants through a tunnel
which led to Lake Simcoe. A York County map of 1884 identifi es other early lakefront owners in the area as Davies, Sibbald, Cowan, Lindsay and Cameron. The popular Budapest Lodge was one of a chain of lakefront lodges.
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Areas of Concern / Special Places
Natural heritage policies are in place for protecting important features of expanding population growth and development and there are many areas identified for protection in the historic lakeshore communities. Areas of Environmental Protection include “core” habitat, “corridor” habitat for migrating birds and animals and “connecting” links. All are vitally important to maintaining and enhancing the environment – particularly in light of the new-found understanding of the effects of human activities on the land on the Lake.
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Ecology
The Deer Park Road area is an important natural forest featuring mature trees and coniferous reforestation and is habitat for a wide range of animals, birds and amphibians. The owners of this area and New Forest are currently working with the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority to create the Arnold C. Matthews Nature Reserve. Legally binding agreements will protect these properties from development
for 999 years and promote long-term stewardship of the land. The conditions set out in the easement will remain in place if the property is sold or passed to the owners’ heirs.
Arts and Entertainment
Residents of the historic lakeshore communities have been enjoying the beauty and recreational features of Lake Simcoe for over two centuries. In the past 20 years as the watershed population has grown, the alteration of the natural environment and the activities of people have dramatically changed the health of the Lake. Seeing this devastation first hand has spurred more and more residents of this
area to become champions of protective legislation, educational programs and restoration action to give Lake Simcoe a chance to heal itself.
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Recreation
Willow Beach is an important area for observing loons, ducks and other waterfowl. On past Christmas bird counts many important waterfowl species were seen including Canvas Back Ducks, Red-breasted Mergansers, Great Black-backed gulls, Brant Geese and Bald Eagles. Migrating Caspian Terns have also been spotted.
Food and local products
The health of the land and the Lake are bound together. Critically important are natural shorelines and wetlands. Vegetation helps buffer run-off from the land filtering nutrients and chemicals from flowing into the Lake. Riparian zones, the transition between water and land, are also important habitat for birds, wildlife and amphibians.
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Events
Four family names are synonymous with the settlement of Willow Beach – Reed, Huntley, Jewell and Sedore. But it was Thomas Huntley who purchased 500 acres in the 1800s and built a small log house which was later was renovated and converted into an inn for tourists called Coolmere Lodge. At the same time, James Reed brought his family to the Lake Simcoe by wagon train and eventually settled on the north half of Lot 11, Conc. 9 where his descendants still live today. The property is still farmed by his great, great granddaughter Margaret
and her husband Gary Sedore, a descendant of another Willow Beach fi rst family. Reed/Sedore family folklore tells of a native trading tree still standing on the property where early settlers traded eggs and butter for fish and Indian baskets.
Photo Album
