History and Heritage
Gravenhurst History
Gravenhurst is located at the south end of Lake Muskoka, 170 km north of Toronto. The Town of Gravenhurst is one of six municipalities that make up the District of Muskoka.
Indigenous Peoples
This region is part of the traditional territories of the Anishinaabeg, the Huron-Wendat, the Haudenosaunee, and the Métis. For over 13,000 years, Indigenous peoples lived and stewarded the land that encompasses modern-day Muskoka.
The name Muskoka is likely a corruption of Misquuckkey (or Mesqua Ukie), the name of an Ojibwe chief (also known as William Yellowhead) who was a signatory to Treaty 16 in November 1815. This treaty concerns a parcel of land south of Muskoka, near Lake Simcoe. The Ojibwe settlement of Obajewanung (“gathering place”), at present-day Port Carling, predated the arrival of Europeans to the Muskoka area. As European settlement expanded in the mid-1800s, many Ojibwe families were displaced to Parry Island but continued to return seasonally. In the 1830s, Potawatomi people settled in the region, and in 1881, Mohawk families relocated from Kanehsatà, Quebec, establishing the Wahta Mohawk community west of Bala. (The Canadian Encyclopedia)
“The colonizing fur trade upset that natural balance and forced Indigenous nations to actively compete in harvesting a livelihood from the land. The beaver that was once plentiful, almost disappeared; the fish have become endangered because of pollution. Tourism and industry have resulted in the loss of many trees. Despite these changes, Indigenous peoples have endured.” Misko-Aki: Confluence of Cultures
Photo: Fishing from a Canoe ( Rama First Nation Historical Archives; Included in Misko-Aki: Confluence of Cultures at the Muskoka Discovery Centre)
European Arrival & Settlement
Large numbers of European settlers began to arrive in the 19th century and moved north as part of the expansion of the lumber industry. The Muskoka Colonization Road (built from 1858-1875) helped support settlement in the area initially connecting Lake Couchiching to Bracebridge. Today, Highway 11 follows a similar route (while bypassing the larger towns). However, it was the passage of the Free Grants and Homestead Act of 1868 that led to widespread settlement in Muskoka. Settlers were given free land if they agreed to clear it, cultivate 15 acres, and build a house. This task turned out to be incredibly difficult because of the dense forest, rocks and poor soil for farming.
James “Mickey” McCabe and his wife Letitia (affectionately known as Mother McCabe) arrived from Ireland in 1859. They are credited with being the first residents of Gravenhurst. Before being officially incorporated as the Town of Gravenhurst, the community was known as McCabe’s Landing. In 1860, James & Letitia built a log shanty near today’s Anglican Cemetery. Two years later they constructed a more substantial home between Nelson & Main Streets which they named the Freemason’s Arms.
“The old log shanty looked dull outside, but within all was cleanliness and order; [Mother McCabe’s] clean white curtains kept out the mosquitoes in summer and cold in winter, while her feather beds afforded sweet rest to many a weary land-seeker. How welcome was the sight of the dim low light through the bush, to the weary traveller, can only be fully appreciated by the early pedestrians when no horses or vehicles were on the road; there are hundreds in the settlement who remember them, and some of them have cause to bless Mother McCabe for her generosity.” Thomas McMurray, The Free Grant Lands of Canada, 1871.
Photo: Freemason's Arms
The Steamship Era & The Muskoka Wharf
In 1866 Alexander Peter Cockburn launched the steamer Wenonah on Muskoka Bay at the Muskoka Wharf. His fleet expanded to eight ships by 1903 and gave rise to the Muskoka Lakes Navigation & Hotel Company, which served the lakes for almost a century. At its peak, the company and its subsequent iterations operated a large fleet that connected the railway at Gravenhurst to the three big Muskoka Lakes: Lake Muskoka, Lake Rosseau & Lake Joseph.
Cockburn’s legacy continues: Gravenhurst is the home port to the oldest operating Steamship in North America, the RMS Segwun. She is still recognized by Canada Post as a Royal Mail Ship (RMS) which means you can mail letters and postcards from the ship! Visit the Muskoka Steamships to enjoy a cruise on the Segwun and her newer sister ship, the Wenonah II. The most recent addition to the Muskoka Steamships experience is the electrified Wanda III. It was commissioned by Margaret Eaton, the wife of Timothy Eaton, founder of Eaton’s department stores. What started as a private, luxury steam yacht is now a symbol of sustainable tourism. Visit the Wanda and learn about steamships and more at the Muskoka Discovery Centre.
Photo: SS Wenonah, the first steamship built by A.P. Cockburn in 1866
A Transportation Hub
The arrival of the Grand Trunk Railway in 1875 fundamentally transformed Gravenhurst into a bustling hub of commerce and tourism. For decades, the Wharf functioned as a critical intermodal terminal where the tracks ran directly alongside the water’s edge, allowing for the seamless transfer of passengers and mail from southern Ontario onto the waiting fleet of luxury steamships. Trains were the lifeblood of the region, bringing in thousands of summer residents and supplies, while transporting processed lumber from local sawmills back to the city.
Photo: Trains at the Muskoka Wharf
"Sawdust City” and the Lumber Mills
Gravenhurst became the ideal location of massive milling operations producing construction lumber, boat-building material, and shingles. The Muskoka Wharf provided the perfect intersection allowing logs to be floated in from the backcountry and processed into products to be shipped out by rail. Mills dominated the shoreline, filling the air with the scent of fresh pine and the rhythmic sounds of circular saws. At the height of the lumber boom, these mills employed hundreds of labourers and produced millions of board feet of lumber each year to build the growing cities of Southern Ontario and beyond.
Photo: Employees at the Mickle Shingle Mill 1898
The Wahta Mohawks
Arriving to the area in 1881, Wahta Mohawk people participated in the logging industry, both within the territory and in the Muskoka region. Many Mohawk men used their canoe skills in the local tourist trade, guiding both sports fishermen and vacationers.
“In 1969, the Wahta Mohawks created the Iroquois Cranberry Growers business, which operated successfully for many years. The natural wet bogs of the region were ideal for growing cranberries, which were then turned into juice, jellies, and various foods. The berries are picked in the fall and float on the water until they are gathered. To the Mohawk, cranberries were also a medicine plant. It became the largest cranberry operation in Ontario with 68 acres of floating gardens. By the mid-1990s, too much competition drove down prices and the cranberry operation was closed in 2017.” Misko-Aki: Confluence of Cultures
Photo: Mohawk Encampment included in Misko-Aki: Confluence of Cultures at the Muskoka Discovery Centre courtesy of Karihwakeron Tim Thompson
Gravenhurst – The Gateway to Muskoka
From “Sawdust City” to McCabe’s landing, it wasn’t until the community was incorporated in 1887 that we received our current moniker. The origin of the name Gravenhurst is believed to be inspired by the title of the book Gravenhurst: Or Thoughts on Good & Evil. As Muskoka developed into a popular cottage and tourist resort area, Gravenhurst also earned its nickname, the Gateway to Muskoka. To honour this, the community built a welcoming arch on the main road into town. Over the years, this arch changed shape, size, and composition; however, it still stands today welcoming one and all to our community.
Photo: Gateway Arch
Norman Bethune
Gravenhurst is the birthplace of Dr. Norman Bethune, one of Canada's most influential medical pioneers and humanitarians. Bethune helped create the Mobile Army Surgical Hospital and critical blood transfusion technology. His dedication to providing medical assistance during the Spanish Civil War and the Second Sino-Japanese War earned him international recognition, particularly in China, where he is revered as a national hero. Today, the Bethune Memorial House welcomes thousands of visitors each year, serving as a lasting tribute to his legacy and an important destination for visitors from around the world.
Change and Resilience
Gravenhurst's history is one of resilience. After devastating fires reshaped the community in its early years, residents rebuilt with determination. Many heritage homes and businesses can be seen along the historic downtown core and throughout the community. That same spirit continues today as we adapt to climate change and focus on the stewardship of Muskoka's forests, lakes, and natural landscapes.
“Indigenous or non-Indigenous, we all have to acknowledge the fact that everything is alive, the air that we breathe, the rocks, the trees. Everything happens in concert.” Vince Chechock, Wasauksing First Nation from Misko-Aki: Confluence of Cultures
Heritage Walking Tour
We encourage you to explore more of our past through our heritage walking tour to learn more about the people and how our community was shaped. Step back in time and explore Gravenhurst’s heritage sites with our self-guided walking tour. Enjoy a stroll through our lovely downtown at your own pace, year-round!
Honouring Heritage Properties in Gravenhurst
Do you own a heritage property? Are you aware of a heritage property in Gravenhurst that you think should receive recognition?
There are several ways to honour heritage properties in Gravenhurst.
- Listing on Register
- Designation
- Plaques
- Interpretive Panels
- Built Heritage Awards
Learn more and submit details about your property using the Honour Your Heritage Property Form.
You can also learn more about our Built Heritage Awards and submit a nomination.
Heritage Plaques & Interpretive Panels
Archy Sloan
An important figure in Gravenhurst’s history, Sloan was Chief of Police, Fire Official, Mayor, and accomplished entrepeneur. His duties also included Tax Assessor, By-law Enforcement Officer, Town bell ringer, road grader, Health Inspector, Truant Officer, Court Clerk, Bailiff, and pound keeper.
Located at the Gravenhurst Fire Department headquarters at 190 Harvie Street
The Steamboat Era & Cockburn Square
This square is named in honour of A.P. Cockburn: businessman, politician, author and tireless champion of Gravenhurst and the entire Muskoka region. Cockburn served as Muskoka’s first MPP and MP and actively supported settlement, agriculture, railways, lumbering and the tourist trade.
Located in Cockburn Square at the Muskoka Wharf
Severn Bridge & The Fall Fair
Three panels provide insight into the origins of the community, the history of the Fall Fair, and the 150th anniversary celebration of the Severn Bridge Fall Fair which took place in 2025.
Located at the Severn Bridge Fairgrounds at 1153 Southwood Rd, Severn Bridge
Swedetown
The settlers who built their first homes on Philip (now Phillip) Street East were largely Scandinavians. Perhaps their various accents all sounded similar, for the area was soon known to Gravenhurst residents as Swedetown.
Located at Phillip St E & Fourth St (at the eastern entrance to Gull Lake Rotary Park)
Camp 20 & Ungerman Gateway Park
Visit Ungerman Gateway Park to view 10 interpretive panels which document the fascinating history of the site, from the Tuberculosis Sanatoria to a Prisoner of War (POW) Camp, a luxury resort, and now a park.
Located in Ungerman Gateway Park at 9 Gateway Drive
Gravenhurst Municipal Heritage Committee
Learn about the Municipal Heritage Committee (MHC) and what they do!