Gull Lake Cottagers' Association

Miners' Bay was one of the first areas on Gull Lake to develop as a cottaging and tourist destination. In the year of Canada's Confederation, Thomas Leary extended the Cameron Road from Moore Falls towards Minden, erecting two log bridges adjacent to his tavern. Previously, travellers proceeded to Minden by canoe, skiff, or steamboat. The road reached Miners' Bay in 1867.

Now part of Minden Hills, Miners' Bay and Gull Lake are located in the Township of Lutterworth, named for the market village that was home to John Wycliffe — often called the "Morningstar" of the Protestant Reformation in England.

By the early 1870s, David Galloway had moved north from Norland, established a sawmill, and begun a fledgling business despite the challenges of the land. By 1900, visitors from Toronto and other southern areas began travelling north in greater numbers — via the Cameron Road and the recently opened railways extending to Coboconk and Kinmount.

Founded in 1920, the Miners' Bay Property Owners Association is one of the oldest lake associations in Ontario. Founding members appear to have included Alex Horn, John Percy, Art Hatch, and A.E. Humphrey. Horn had begun vacationing at Miners' Bay in 1909; the Percy family arrived in 1912.

The initial purpose was to respond to a rash of burglaries and provide oversight to local cottages. A "Warden" was hired to keep watch year-round. Three generations of the Gillespie family served in this role, sending weekly postcard reports for over six decades.

Shortly after 1920, a second association developed at the northern end of Gull Lake — the Kawartha Gull Lake Cottagers Association. Its signature event was the Annual Regatta, held at the University of Toronto Camp near the head of the lake.

In 1938, W.H. Wunker and family moved from Ohio, took over the Bay View Hotel, and renamed the business Miners' Bay Lodge. The Association partnered with the new owners, who arranged and delivered grocery orders directly to individual cottage docks.

The period of greatest vigour for the Miners' Bay group was during the years that P.D. Knowles served as Secretary-Treasurer. This proprietor of "Knowles Island" worked tirelessly to promote the area and had the best interests of Gull Lake at heart.

The Mail Campaign

In 1937, the Post Office Department was considering rural mail delivery around parts of Gull Lake. On December 21st, Mr. Knowles submitted a list of home addresses for twenty-one members. Service was established the following season, though the Miners' Bay Post Office — with Miss Mary Grozelle as Postmistress — remained open until 1960.

Bringing Hydro to the Lake

In October 1938, Mr. Knowles contacted the Hydro-Electric Commission of Ontario to explore extending power lines to the area. The Chief Municipal Engineer noted that previous efforts had seen little success. Discussions continued into 1939, with construction costs at $1,300 per mile.

Service became viable after WWII when renewed efforts succeeded. Hydro was installed along the east side of Gull Lake. Underwater cable brought service to Knowles' Island and "Huckleberry" Island in the 1960s.

Social Life & Community

The Association calendar was full of events. The 1939 summer program included:

• Boys' blind obstacle competition
• Girls' handicap apple contest
• Ladies' balloon race
• Clothespin race (ladies & men)
• Men's long throw
• Single canoe race (handicap)
• Swimming races
• Motorboat contest
• Log rolling
• Skill-based competitions

With the coming of WWII, social events took on a more serious tone. In 1940, $27.25 was raised for the Canadian Red Cross and $25.00 for the War Victims Fund. Members contributed heavily to the new Red Cross Out Post Hospital in Minden — the Percy family providing equipment and beds, the Horn woolen mill donating blankets.

Advocacy & Conservation

The Association's advocacy reached far and wide, addressing topics such as:

• Lake water level petitions
• Highway signage improvements
• Repairs to the Moore Falls dock
• Clearing deadheads from waterways
• Protecting boaters at Moore Falls dam
• Re-stocking fish in Gull Lake
• Calcium on dusty road stretches
• Alternate routes to Haliburton County

In 1938, the Association also successfully dispelled rumours that the Miners' Bay Church might be sold and converted into a gas station. With the Wunker family's arrival, the future of the church was assured for the next eight decades.

By the late 1960s, some Gull Lake cottagers began questioning the need for two separate organizations. Informal discussions followed in 1970 and 1971. Stu Parks was President of the Miners' Bay group; Morley Sparling of Long Island was President of the Kawartha Gull Lake Cottagers Association.

• November 1971
  Over 70 cottagers attend the K.G.L.A. annual meeting at The Noshery Penthouse in Toronto. Environmental and development concerns are discussed; slides shown of the Regatta and Gull Lake area.
• July 23, 1971
  At the Miners' Bay Annual Meeting at the church, amalgamation is discussed and a transitional slate elected. Den Newnham becomes President; Russ Wunker, 1st Vice President.
• July 1972
  Amalgamation further discussed at the Annual Meeting. The executive is tasked with moving talks forward with government officials and Pollution Probe regarding ice fishing and fish populations.
• September 16, 1972
  A meeting and wiener roast at Miners' Bay Lodge announces that "details have been worked out for the proposed combining of the two Cottagers' Associations."
• September 28, 1972
  The Minden Progress reports: "Miners' Bay Cottagers' Association Folds." Thus ended the 52-year run of the southern group — and a new era began.
• October 18, 1972
  Ratification meeting at the Toronto Cricket Club. A new organization representing all of Gull Lake is created. Fees: $5.00 for individuals, $25.00 for camps and lodges.

The 1974 Annual Meeting was held on November 14th at the Golden Doors Restaurant in Yorkdale Plaza. Forty-five members attended, paying $6.50 for the roast beef dinner, with a cash bar and door prizes. As most executive members were from the Toronto area, many early executive meetings were held in the city at members' homes.

The stated objectives of the new organization, still enduring after half a century, were:

1. Prevent Pollution
2. Improved Fishing
3. Clean Water
4. Promote an atmosphere of friendliness and respect for the rights of others
5. To maintain one of the finest resort areas of Canada

The order of importance may have evolved over a century, but these goals say it all. There is a worthy and lofty heritage spanning more than one hundred years. As we celebrate the centenary, may we all renew our efforts to reflect the objectives outlined half a century ago.