Explore Muskoka Lakes

Pradip Sarbadhikari is a professor of Political Studies at Lakehead
University.

Pryke’s book gives “shoredwellers and lake visitors a guide to
exploring the intriguing and beautiful points of interest in Lakes
Muskoka, Rousseau and Joseph.” This book is both technical and
romantic: it details specific locations while catching the ethos of
Muskoka.

Among the land marks on Lake Muskoka are Gravenhurst Waterfront,
Muskoka Wharf, Sagamo Park, R.M.S. Segurun, The Muskoka Centre, The
Gazebo, Cliff Bay, and The Narrow/Shanty Man’s Point. The author takes
an imaginary boat tour of Lake Muskoka, visiting various sites, such as
the much-photographed Lake Lighthouse Island, the Muskoka Sands Inn,
Browning Island, St. Elmo, Eileen Gowan Island, The Aston Villa Resort,
Wylwood Point (where brewer John Labatt was kidnapped), Clemson Cottage,
and Millionaires Row among others. The chapter concludes with the
landmarks on the Muskoka River.

The next chapter describes Port Carling and speculates on its excellent
business potential. Interest points include Port Carling House, the
Island Indian Village, and Echo Point (where Timothy Eaton built a
retreat cottage).

Of the three big Muskoka lakes to visit, Lake Rousseau is the best
choice because of its varied points of interest. Among these are
Windermere House, Treasure Island, the Rousseau Lake College (the
original estate of Sir John and Lady Eaton), and other magnificent
estates now renovated into commercial buildings.

In the final chapter we come to Lake Joseph and the Joseph River, with
its “slightly green waters,” where life proceeds at a “quieter
pace” but the points of interest are as exciting.

This book is suited for armchair travellers, Muskoka residents, and
tourists. It is packed with historical sketches, memories of Ontario’s
yesteryears, illustrations, and charts. Libraries are advised to include
this in their collections.