A Second Golf Course at Sturgeon Point?

Gavin Lucas' Historical Sketch of the Village of Sturgeon Point 1640-1940 has the most fascinating nuggets of information about the Village.  In putting together the Heritage Boards for the Golf Course for Doors Open, I came across one of those nuggets on page 18:

Some members incuding Messrs. Barr, Grace and Wood feeling doubtful of the possibilities of such a stoney course developed another Golf Links called "Merryland" on the open fields north of Irene Avenue and also built an excellent tennis court on this land at the head of First Street.  This area was abandoned after a few years as the other course was gradually improved.

 

Merryland?  This was a brand new one for me.  In all the discussions I've had with Village residents, this one never came up. In speaking with the Barr, Phipps, Graham and Roberts families, I learned that the golf course was on the Graham Farm between the Leaf Dump and the original road* into the Village.   All agreed that there were 3 or 4 holes and that they went up and down the hill.  Babe has some memories of the course but the others all say that it was no longer in use by the mid-1920s.  Butchie said that use of the tennis court continued after the the golf course fell out of favour.

Have you any information or pictures about Merryland or about the Sturgeon Point Golf Course?  We would love to learn more about the early history of our golf courses.

Golf at Sturgeon Point
courtsesy of the Hopkins family

 

 

 * Note: The original road into Sturgeon Point ran from the corner of the Graham & Rutherford farms, through the woods, past the Shea's log house, across Irene Avenue - which originally only ran from the Upper Wharf to 1st Street - through the woods, past the Crightons, across the back of the Swan, between the buldings of The Sturgeon Point Hotel, coming out between the Lower Warf and the Sandbar. This road appears on the 1871 and 1877 maps.  The current road is dotted in on the 1884 subdivision map done to show the Village lots.  A good portion of the road can still be walked but please remember that it is private property and permission to walk it is required.

 

 

 

 

Doors Open

Last weekend, Sturgeon Point participated in the Doors Open event.  A province-wide day of getting to view heritage properties, this year Fenelon Falls and Sturgeon Point show-cased the history of the City of Kawartha Lakes.

There were three venues at Sturgeon Point - the Church, the Upper Wharf and the Golf Course.  The History Project participated by providing Heritage Display boards showing the history of the venues.  The Heritage Display done for the Golf Corse is still on display in the Cub House.  We found some very early pictures, so please take some time to drop by an see them.

Dr. Jacob Neelands & Catherine Langton Neelands leaving the Dedication Service
Sturgeon Point Union Church, 11 July 1915

 

There were between 50 and 60 people who came out to see the venues and learn more about our community.  The weather was great and the visitors were full of interesting questions.  There were even a few former Sturgeon Pointers and it was great to meet them.

 

Doors Open Coorinator Mike Sloboda said that there was also a good turn out in Fenelon. Mike said: "There were great numbers in Fenelon, and Oak St. got a lot of traffic, and many who I talked to, really loved Sturgeon Point. I'm not surprised at that."

 

A Match At Sturgeon Point

At Sturgeon Point, on the Kawartha Lakes, on Monday last, a [golf] match was played between Lindsay and Bobcaygeon.  There were seven players aside and the game resulted in favour of Bobcaygeon.  Sturgeon Point will next year have first class-links, and doubtless a great many golfers will be attracted to that already popular-summer resort.                                                     The Toronto Daily Star, p6 - Saturday, October 27, 1900

Thanks should be extended to out-going SPA President, Victor Isbrucker and in-coming Spa President, Lisa Vehrs, to Heritage Victoria member & Doors Open Coordinators, Michael Sloboda and Paul Zaborowski, and to CoKL Economic Development guru Lance Sherk for their efforts in bringing this event together.  The Doors Open volunteers - Andy Mutch and Mary, at the Golf Course, a number of the Church Trustees together with Nelia Stewart, at the Church, and Liane Kennedy and Lisa Vehrs at the Upper Warf.

 

Fun on the Lintonia

 

Thanks to everyone who participated in the event and our thanks those who came to visit!  We hope to see you again.

Bugle Call: Barbara Thake

It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Barb Thake.  She was a wonderful woman.  She and Rich were generous supporters of The History Project.  I had a number of opportunities to meet with Barb in the summer of 2011 to talk about the Fee family and their involvement in the history of Sturgeon Point.  In turn, I was able to share some information with her.  The Fee and Thake family albums have been an amazing addition to the record of our community.  But this has been only one of the very many contributions she has made to our community.  She will be deeply missed.  My condolences to Richard, Kristin, Jonathan, Ashley and their families.

Barb at the Point- 1949

Barb, Rich, Eva and a friend

Barb, 1962

Barb in the centre, 1990s

 

BARBARA THAKE Once in a rare while, God sends an angel to remind us of the deep-down meaning of unconditional love. The Thake family was very, very lucky, because one of the angels He sent us was an angel called Barbara. To her children Kristin, Jonathan and Ashley, Barbara was "Mum". To her grandchildren Cameron, Duncan, Claire, she was "Nana". To her husband Richard, she was his "Angel" all her life. And to everyone else who knew her, she was good old, silly old, huggable, loveable "Auntie Barb". And on Thursday evening, with her work here finished, our Angel returned to God's arms. Goodbye, Auntie Barb. We love you more than words can ever say - because you taught us that love is so much more than words. It's hugs and laughter. Cupcakes and little wax candles and gold stars on Allowance Charts. Love is goodnight kisses, hosting noon-hour lunches and family dinners - when you would sit there enjoying every moment of our enjoyment just being in the same room together. And although our world has been greatly diminished by your passing, we can't help feeling the next one has been greatly improved. If you believe as I, Then you know that God did not Send us here to die. For my bones and ashes, do not lament- I need them not when they are spent. Because, you see, I did not die. I am not dead. I am simply someplace else instead. So, take my memory and hold it dear And that is what will keep me near... Until that day when you and I Once again as one Will fly across the universe Together And there, abide forever.

 

Memorial visitation will be held at the HIGHLAND FUNERAL HOME - SCARBOROUGH CHAPEL, 3280 Sheppard Ave. E. (west of Warden Ave.), 416-773-0933, on Wednesday, September 5, 2012 from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Children's Wish Foundation.

Published in the Toronto Star on September 1, 2012

Bugle Call: Beryl Graham

While many may have seen the small obituary, many others may  have missed the news of Beryl Graham's passing in July.  She was a great lady and will be greatly missed.

Beryl Stewart Graham with her neice, Martha Chalmers

The daughter of Rev Rupert Stewart and his wife Lena Johnston, Beryl and her siblings, Clair Stewart, Jean Stewart Chalmers and Bonnie Stewart Parker grew up at the Point on 1st Street.

She married Gordon Graham and they bought Miss Flavelle's cottage at the bottom of 1st Street, which Beryl's brother Claire Stewart turned into the wonderful home that is there today.

Beryl & Gordon Graham's home

Gordon & Beryl Graham with friends on their front porch, 1971

 

GRAHAM, Sarah Beryl (nee Stewart)

A long time resident of The Village of Sturgeon Point, passed away peacefully on Sunday July 22, 2012. Predeceased by her husband Gordon, brother Clair Stewart, and sisters Jean Chalmers, and Bonnie Parker. Her wonderful sense of humour will be greatly missed by her many loving nieces and nephews, and friends. Beryl was the daughter of the Reverend DC Rupert Stewart and Lena (Johnston) both predeceased. Martha and Christie wish to thank the dedicated staff at Fenelon Court for their compassionate care for Beryl in her final years. A private family service was held on July 25, 2012, at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Fenelon Falls.