James Wallis Commissions Maryboro Lodge, 1837
Cameron and Sturgeon Lakes were unusual in having a conspicuously large number of aspiring young gentlemen (but few young ladies!), typically younger sons, who were too poor to live as elites back in Britain. They hoped that by emigrating to Canada they could elevate themselves to a status that they could not have afforded back home.
James Wallis, was one of these younger sons, whose family owned Drishane Castle and the Maryborough Estate in County Cork, Ireland. Being land speculators, Wallis and his business partner Robert Jameson owned Fenelon Falls, so Wallis could build anywhere that he chose. Having constructed their mills at the Falls, he settled on the ancient oak grove at the mouth of the Fenelon River on Cameron Lake. Unlike most of the surroundings forests, the oak grove was so severely eroded that only sparse, dwarf bur oaks grew. To gentleman, like Wallis, it was natural parkland. The oak grove extended along the waterway towards the falls (now Oak and Water Streets). Wallis reserved this area as his private parkland. Today, visitors to the museum may notice that foyer seems to be on the wrong side of the building—that’s because when it was built it was facing the downtown—with the lake behind. Of course, the French doors opened towards the river, which was great for hosting backwoods soirees.
Though it was no English country estate, Maryboro Lodge was conspicuous for its time and place. At a time when most local residents lived a shanty, it was the white, two storey building, standing on the shore the lake. Replicating fashions back home, Wallis had the exterior of the building plastered. But the climate of Canada was much harsher than Great Britain, so it was difficult to keep the building plastered. Architecturally, the building is unusual, being stacked deal construction. Deals were 3" x 9" timbers, often cut 12 feet long, which was a common dimension of lumber to export to Britain at the time. As he owned a sawmill, Wallis had ready access to sawn lumber, and stacked them with the narrow side down.
The name "Maryboro Lodge," reflected the fact that it was not a ‘House’ as the landed classes would occupy back in Britain, it was a lodge in the woods. It was also not a particularly practical house. As originally constructed, it had two dancing parlours, a dining room and bedrooms, but no kitchen. However, for a bachelor hosting soirees in the woods, it was exactly what he needed!
Wallis’ speculative venture failed and when his holdings were liquidated, the community’s growth accelerated. Having been built in such a prominent location, Maryboro Lodge and the ancient oak grove always had a special place in the community. Churches would host picnics in the grove, and for many years the river was a popular swimming place. Today, as kids jump off the railway bridge, it’s something Fenelon Falls youth have done for generations.
From 1913 until the late 1950s, the Abbott sisters operated Maryboro Lodge as a tourist lodge, giving the name a different connotation. Picking up a tradition that dated back to Mr. Wallis, they loved to host afternoon tea—despite the fact the building did not have electricity or running water. After they moved to Waterman’s Nursing home in Lindsay, their nephew ensured that the building remained a public space, becoming Fenelon Falls’ museum. As it was generations ago, afternoon tea remains a popular tradition at Maryboro Lodge.
