Fairyport Hotel, Fairy Lake, Huntsville, Ontario.

Description

Media Type

Image

Item Type

Photographs

Description

Fairyport Hotel, Fairy Lake, Huntsville, Ontario.

Notes

In 1876 Frederick May and wife Elizabeth Carter, homesteaded with their children on the south shore of Fairy Lake on Lot 20, Concession 13 and 14 and Lot 21, Concession 13 and 14, Brunel Township. In 1890 they sold the property to John L. Baker, a son-in-law of the neighbouring Holinshead family. The Fairyport name was already in use and a summer tourist home established. When Baker's wife died in 1898, the property was sold to Sarah and John Lye who in 1908 sold to Helen Brooks Smith. A parcel of approximately five acres on the far west of the lake frontage was sold to Frank Stewart Mearns in 1904 and 1906 and became known as Methven. An article in the Huntsville Forester of July 26, 1906 notes that Mr. T.H. Hungerford was managing the summer resort which consisted of a three storey hotel and eleven other dwellings, five of which were two-storey cottages. The attractions included fine spring water, croquet, row boats and canoes, and a piano for entertainment. After 1908 there were a number of owners at Fairyport, some with their own cottages on the waterfront. Between 1913 and 1916, Edwin John "Jack" Ecclestone acquired all the original land grant except the Methven property. In 1917, he and his wife Emma Llwyd and their two children Elaine and Llwyd, became year-round residents at Fairyport. The original Hotel burned in 1929 but was replaced in the early 30's with an Inn comprising a lounge, dining room, where forty guests could be seated for a meal, and kitchen. The old farmhouse was expanded to accomodate guests. After Jack's death in 1932, Emma continued to manage Fairyport in the summer, and built a new cottage for herself. By 1939 there were eighteen buildings on the site plus garages, workshops and icehouses. A distinctive feature was the large Fairyport sign that could be seen at a great distance across the water.
Emma Ecclestone ensured a memorable vacation for her guests. There were masquerades, Sunday walks, land and water sport days, bonfires on the beach, musicals and sing-alongs as well as card games. Guests were invited to visit the neighbouring farmer Brown to enjoy the hayloft and the milking of the cows.
Ross and Ann Brooks were caretakers of the property for many years and Bessie Gurnon was the head cook for twenty five years. After Bessie's death in 1950, and Emma Ecclestone's retirement the resort was renamed Timber Bay. Meals were no longer served, the cabins were removed and trees began to reclaim the land. Llwyd Ecclestone had inherited the property from his father and in 1962 gave lakefront lots to his nephew, John Mackay and his neice, Joy McCaskill. Joy's son Kip and his family continue to live on part of this parcel. John Mackay and his three children now own Timber Bay which has become a private retreat rather than the bustling resort it once was.

Date of Original

1929

Date Of Event

1929

Dimensions