History
Local Builder
The Midland Boat and Canoe Company was listed among the merchants in a 1906 business directory. It was operated by W.H. Hacker and located at the foot of King St. in Midland, Ontario. Their biggest business was renting houseboats which they towed to permanent settlers scattered along the wilderness shores of Georgian Bay as back...
History
Vintage Motors
Boating technology has obviously come a long way since this outboard motor was the cutting edge of design in 1931. This is a Johnson 8 horsepower motor that would have been used to get people to their cottages on the remote islands of Georgian Bay. The Georgian Bay Heritage League has brought this gem back...
History
Marine Heritage
In the early 1900’s, the wooden boat played a much more central role in daily life on Georgian Bay. Today, boats have a mostly recreational place in our culture, whereas back then it was even a major local employer. The names Grew, Gidley, Norse and Midland Boat Works, all historical boat building companies, come to...
History
Grew Boats
Henry E. Gidley established a boat building company in Penetanguishene, Ontario in the late 1800’s. He built a wide range of boats from canoes, rowboats, sailing skiffs, scows, and small powered fishing boats. Gidley Boats also offered a line of pleasure craft, including the “Kittyhawk”, built for Wilbur Wright (of the famous “Wright Brothers”) who...
History
The Midland Boat and Canoe Company
The Midland Boat and Canoe Company was listed among the merchants in a 1906 business directory. It was operated by W.H. Hacker and located at the foot of King St. in Midland, Ontario. Their biggest business was renting houseboats which they towed to permanent settlers scattered along the wilderness shores of Georgian Bay as back...