Beaverton Harbour
Beaverton developed as a crossroads village at the mouth of the Beaver River on Lake Simcoe. From this community’s earliest days, there was steamboat service on the lake, beginning with the Sir John Colborne, which was launched in 1832 at the lower landing on the Holland River, on Yonge Street. Mid nineteenth century roads were typically little more than a pathway through the woods where the stumps were cut low enough that an ox cart could pass. Given the condition of the roads, Beaverton’s link to the wider world was via Lake Simcoe—by boat in summer or across the ice in winter. Across the waterbody, Beaverton was linked to York/Toronto (via Yonge Street), Barrie and the Atherley Narrows (Orillia).
The Port Hope, Lindsay and Beaverton Railway (later the Midland, then Grand Trunk, then Canadian National Railways) opened to Beaverton on January 1, 1871, then Orillia two years later. Once a railway was complete, much of the traffic to and from the community would ride the rails. In 1872, a train leaving Port Hope would arrive in Beaverton in 3:10. Once the Midland Railway absorbed the Toronto and Nipissing Railway in 1881, there was a direct rail connection to Toronto via Lorneville.
Even as Beaverton was being integrated into the North American railway network, the transportation links across the lake remained important. By the late 1870s, farm families were taking up land on Thorah Island. Until 1903, when Thomas Warren Sr. built the Belle of Thorah, the island and mainland were linked by steam ships in summer. For much of the twentieth century the Warren family would continue to operate the ferry service to the island.
Originally, the community’s wharf was located at the end of Albert Street, just south of the Beaver River and its present site. In 1889, 84 local freeholders petitioned council asking for a wharf and other harbour improvements. Beaverton harbour would be designated as a port in 1891, with two piers constructed into the lake at the mouth of the river. In 1912, the south pier was rebuilt with large rocks and cement.
Harbour at Beaverton, c 1940
Beaverton Harbour, postmark 1948
Once the piers were in place at the mouth of the Beaver River, boathouses were soon added on each side. Two storey boat houses were built on the south pier, that became a distinctive part of what made this vista memorable. The upper levels of these two storey boathouses served as residences. The Edwards’ boathouse accommodated their steamer, Lorna Doona, and was later owned by Colonel Fogg, then the Rogers family. A marina at the harbour would become the Beaverton Boatel in the 1960s.
While Beaverton harbour has accommodated countless boats over the years, it has also long served as a community gathering place. Dating back generations, many people came to the adjacent Barber’s Grove for a picnic, or to spend time enjoying the park and waterfront. Over the years, it hosted many Victora Days, Dominion Days (Canada Day), Sunday School Picnics and other community events. Just to the north of the wharf, the Veale family’s Victoria Hotel stood on the corner of Victoria and Wellington Streets—being one of the first buildings that maritime travellers would see when they arrived in town. In 1947, two cement swimming piers were installed at the harbour. Fred French would teach swimming lessons there for many years. The Red Cross sponsored these classes until 1981, when their administration passed to the Beaverton Lions Club. Whether via land or water, it remains a beautiful site to visit, swim, appreciate waterfowl, while enjoying the playground and park. It is a wonderful place to enjoy a sunset over Lake Simcoe.
Beaverton Harbour, showing marina and boatel, HR Oakman aerial photograph, c 1980
Beaverton Harbour aerial from the West
Sunset over Beaverton Harbour, May 10, 2024
