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Mrs. Fogler sold Seven Mile Island for about $50,000 to a company called Harrison Holdings, which was owned by Patrick Harrison and his wife Lucette. Mr. Harrison was a mining engineer at the time, and initially he and his wife used the property as a summer retreat. Eventually, the Harrisons moved in and took up permanent residence at Seven Mile Island, spending an esti- mated $1 million on improvements to the prop- erty, including construction of two guest houses for his daughters. Mr. Harrison continued to live on the prop- erty for a number of years following the death his first wife, but in 1981 at the age of 80 years, he decided to sell the estate. It took almost ‘When the Elys purchased the Wilson Estate in 1943, the property was over- two years to sell the property, but ownership grown and in a state of disrepair. The main residence, above, was converted changed in July 1983, with a registered Ontario into apartments for friends and family to stay during the summer. This building corporation purchasing the property for a has since been demolished and removed. Toronto group known as the Ching Chung Taoist Society of Canada. Jewellers, Brock’s Department Store and the two local grocery The new owners began work converting the stores, Dowson’s Red & White and McKee’s Superior store. main house into a hotel, a second residence into Freda Ely spent most summers at Seven Mile Island with a restaurant and divided the remaining houses her two young children and her parents, who lived in a small into rental units. In 1984 Seven Mile Island was cottage on the property overlooking the lake. Mr. Ely lived at opened to the public and many people from the their Old Forest Hill Rd. home during the week, while he was Scugog area enjoyed lunches and dinners in the tending to business, but arrived at Seven Mile Island almost restaurant as well as leisurely strolls throughout every weekend to relax and to enjoy his leisure time raising and this unique property. breeding Palomino ponies. In 1987, the property was leased by local real They converted the large residence into apartments in which estate agent Mark Smith and his business part- family and friends could stay for the summer months and enjoy ner Greg Fish. They formed a syndicate of 12 horseback riding, swimming, sailing, pool-side parties and lei- investors who intended to develop the property. surely strolls around the beautiful grounds. This idea never came to fruition. There were about 16 children of various family members Next it was leased to a group who opened living at Seven Mile Island throughout the summer, so a day Harmony Island Estate, a school for troubled boys. camp was started, with a camp director and counsellors hired The school opened in October 1992 but this ven- to run the children’s programs. "Camp Ely" was operated near the reflecting pool and also in the upper storey of the boat house. The Elys provided playground equipment, swings and a sandbox, and the councillors taught the children crafts, played water games in shallow water of the reflecting pool, learned how to ride ponies and enjoyed hayrides. The children also had a roped-off area in the lake, near the boathouse, where they swam and played in the shallow water along the shoreline. Among the noted families who brought their children to the island camp was comedian Frank Shuster. Rumors that the property was being used as a refugee camp, for children rescued from Europe during the war, are unfounded, but the fact there was a summer camp for children on the estate, may have led to this rumour. Although Harry Ely died in 1950, it wasn’t until June 1958, that Mrs. Ely disposed of their summer home. She said the ‘Island’ was truly a wonderful Please turn to page 38 . . * A two storey boathouse overlooking the lake was located at the south end place filled with many unforgettable memories, and of the property. The second floor was surrounded by windows and contained regretted having to give it up. a large room with a dance floor, which was used for family gatherings. FOCUS - AUGUST 2010 39