Muskoka Community Futures
Development Corporation
Delawana Inn, Honey Harbour
| 2007 Annual OACFDC Conference | |||
| "From Broadaxe to Broadband – Hewing out the Future" | |||
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Hosted by Muskoka Community Futures Development Corporation |
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| June 3rd to June 5th 2007, Delawana Inn, Honey Harbour |
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| In the early days in Muskoka, you were only as good as your axe. Early settlers in Muskoka saw the potential
of the land and the resources and moved here to take advantage of land grants.
As Muskoka grew, and settlers discovered the difficulty in harvesting the lumber and land, they welcomed tourists into their homes to help subsidize their family income. Soon the railway and steamships that moved logs and lumber south brought tourists and guests north to Muskoka to relax, rejuvenate and re-invigorate their spirit. | ||||
| In today’s fast paced society Muskoka still has that magic essence that awakens the spirit and restores the soul. Now visitors, seasonal residents and international guests can access Muskoka by rail, road, air and even through the broadband highway. | ||||
 Now high speed Internet is the tool of choice. Now, new settlers can enjoy the beauty of the area, while
delivering messages, files, projects and information to the urban centres.
Where else can you sit on your dock and connect with the world! This year’s conference will be located on the beautifully rugged shores of Georgian Bay. With so much natural beauty, history and heritage, you can’t help but fall in love with us! | ||||
| Things to See and Do in Georgian Bay | ||||
| With Georgian Bay Islands National Park within a 10 minute boat ride, why not take in the scenery, learn about the area’s ecology and even take a break on a nature trail. | ||||
 Also close by is the amazing Big Chute Marine Railway, an engineering marvel that lifts boats 58 feet, almost
18 m, out of one body of water and into the next!
Spend some time on the trails or exploring nearby historic villages and quaint boutiques in Bala, Port Carling, Midland, Port Severn, Honey Harbour and Parry Sound.
Or drop on down to Midland and Penetanguishene.
Step back in time to the 17th century at Sainte Marie Among the Hurons, enjoy the historic atmosphere of sailing on Georgian Bay at Discovery Harbour, in fact have a conversation with a roving Naval Captain! Take in the sights and sounds at the Wye Marsh and explore the trails! | ||||
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To become a land owner the settler had to clear 15 acres of land, build a house at least sixteen feet by
twenty feet in size, live on the property at least 6 months of the year for a period of 5 years. Lumber was booming.
An axe for hire was a key job. Loggers and lumbermen were granted special licenses and permits by the Province and as
such were a “hot commodity”. The broadaxe was the choice tool for squaring heavy timbers for bridge, house and railway
tie construction.
Get out onto Georgian Bay and marvel at a sunset over the smoothed-down islands and the windswept trees.
Take a cruise among the 30,000 Islands. Be sure to have your camera and your binoculars with you, and do some birding
and wildlife spotting before the sun disappears out over the Bay.
