Named La Mer Douce by Samuel de Champlain, Georgian Bay is often referred to as the sixth Great Lake.
Its 30,000 islands and 2,000 kilometers of shoreline, offer an austere and elemental beauty - a panorama of windswept pines, majestic towering cliffs, smooth pre Cambrian granite and clear blue water all creating a unique living landscape and a one of a kind vacation experience.
A Brief History
Throughout the Georgian Bay burgeoning timber and fishing industries replaced the fur trade of an earlier century, and, in the mid 1800's, the advent of railroad lines and steamboat connections opened up access to port towns such as Collingwood, Midland and Parry Sound encouraging trade and development and eventually, the arrival of vacationers.
The area became renowned for its rugged beauty and spectacular sport fishing. Groups of US industrialists established sport fishing camps, some of which, including Iron City and Yankanuck continue to thrive today.
Elegant resort hotels sprang up, attracting visitors from the eastern US and Canada and intrepid types began to establish cottages throughout the 30,000 islands. In the early 1890's cottage communities began to evolve in areas such as Pointe au Baril, Sans Souci, Cognashene and Bayfield, where, in some cases, six generations have summered on their island homes.
Pointe Au Baril
Pointe au Baril is one of the oldest established cottage communities in Georgian Bay, originally settled by prominent families from the US mid-west. The long standing Islanders Association (PaBIA) represents the interests of the cottagers in such areas as governance, safety, environment and community social events. The PaBIA was able to acquire the Ojibway Club, a grand hotel constructed in 1906, which it operates as a not for profit community club which functions as the social centre of the cottage community offering tennis, fine dining, a childrens' day camp, special interest clubs and various annual events throughout the summer months.
The Barrel Project - Bringing back the barrel to Pointe au Baril
Sans Souci
The Massasauga 'natural environment' Provincial Park comprises a large portion of the Sans Souci area. Hundreds of coastal islands and several inland lakes make up the 50 square mile park which is accessible only by watercraft.
Islanders in this tight knit cottage community are well represented by the Sans Souci & Copperhead Association (established 1903) and the Manitou Cottagers association.
The SS&CA Community Centre on Frying Pan Island offers summer long day camp for children plus special interest programs and social events for cottagers including the Annual Sans Souci Regatta.
The Sans Souci Tennis Club has 4 courts and offers social events, Pro week, and tournaments.
A friendly rivalry has developed between the Pointe au Baril and Sans Souci Tennis clubs which is played out in an annual summer tournament, each club alternating as host.