At the heart of cottage country, Bobcaygeon is one of the most well-known towns in Ontario, Canada. Whether you’ve spent time on a dock in the Kawarthas, made a pit stop at the Tim Hortons or grew up listening to the The Tragically Hip, many of us Canadians have a connection to this quaint town that lies 2 hours northeast of Toronto.
While today Bobcaygeon and the Kawartha Lakes region are known primarily as a summer vacation destination, over 150 years ago the area was also a popular place of settlement for Canada’s pioneers. The Kawartha Settlers’ Village, located just a few minutes from central Bobcaygeon, takes visitors back to a time before cottage country and gives an insight into the lives of the pioneers of the Kawarthas.
The Kawartha Settlers’ Village was established in 1990 with the objective to preserve the history of the region and provide an insight into the life of pioneers to future generations. The village consists of over 20 historic buildings from across the Kawartha Lakes region that have actually been picked up and physically moved to this location. The buildings consist of a general store, schoolhouse, firehall, church, a number of preserved family homes and more. Visitors are welcome to wander around the town at their own pace and explore both inside and outside of these fascinating buildings.
The family houses give an authentic insight into the pioneer families who settled in the Kawarthas in the 19th and early 20th centuries. An example of this is the Junkin House, a log home built in 1864 by Thomas and Ester Junkin. The couple were Irish immigrants whose family members had begun to settle in the region as early as the 1830s. The house was lived in by the Junkin family up until the 1960s and in 1993 the house was moved to the Kawartha Settlers Village from its original location on a farm between Bobcayegon and Fenelon Falls. The Junkin Family Society still looks after the home today.
Another interesting building is the Duggan House, home of farmers John and Ellen Duggan. They purchased the house in 1851 and continued to live in it until the 1860s, when they built a larger home for their family which consisted of 13 children. The house was eventually donated to the Kawartha Settlers’ Village and is well maintained by friends of the Duggan House.
One of my favourite buildings at the Kawartha Settlers’ Village is the General Store. The store was originally named Jimmie Hill’s Harness Shop and was located on King Street in Bobcaygeon. An interesting fact I learned was that general stores in pioneer communities were the social centre of community life. They consisted of important services such as a post office and barber shop, but were also a general gathering place where people could come to play games, chat or catch up on the week’s news.
One of the things that really struck me during my visit was the determination and tenacity that would have been required to survive as a pioneer in the Kawartha Lakes region. I couldn’t imagine what it was like to make the long journey across the sea by boat, travel north and then make your way in the cold, Canadian wilderness. The Kawartha Settlers’ Village has a recreation of a pioneer shanty built using similar tools and materials that would have been used by the pioneers. A shanty, also often referred to as a ‘first house’, is a tiny cabin that would have been constructed by the pioneers to live in while they were building their main house, otherwise known as their ‘second house’. Many pioneers would have spent their first Canadian winter in such a shanty. It is pretty remarkable considering they did not consist of much!
For those interested in the history of transportation, the Boyd Carriage House contains a collection of sleds, carriages and other modes of transportation common in the 19th century. The Boyd family was a prominent family in the region due to the fact that Mossom Boyd, a young Irish immigrant, went on to develop a successful lumber business. This particular carriage house was built in 1840 and is the only surviving building from the Boyd estate and was used to house his carriages and cars.
There are a number of other interesting buildings to visit in the village, each with their own unique story. Visitors can take a walk through the Blacksmith’s Shop, admire the trucks in the Fire Station and experience what it was like to be a pioneer student in the School House. One of my other favourite parts of the village is the Dairy Exhibition which features many historical artifacts from Bobcaygeon’s Kawartha Dairy. Anyone who has tasted Kawartha Dairy ice cream knows what an iconic fixture it is in the town, and the exhibition showcases the history of the renowned dairy company.
The Kawartha Settlers’ Village makes for a great day out in Bobcaygeon. Suitable for all ages, it’s a great way to explore the pioneer past of one of Ontario’s most well known towns.
Key Information for Visiting the Kawartha Settlers’ Village
How do I get to the Kawartha Settlers’ Village?
The village is located in the town of Bobcaygeon, approximately 2 hours northeast of Toronto. The easiest way to get to Bobcaygeon is to travel by car. For anyone familiar with the town, it is approximately a 20-minute walk, or a 4 minute drive from the Tim Hortons on Highway 36.
When is the village open?
The Kawartha Settlers’ Village is open for general admission from May 1st – September 30th each year from 10am to 4pm. They also run special events that visitors can also attend.
How much does it cost to visit?
An adult ticket to the Kawartha Settlers’ Village costs approximately $8 with a children’s ticket (ages 6-12) costing about $3. There is also a family ticket available for approximately $20. To find out more ticket information you can visit the Kawartha Settlers’ Village website.
How long do you need to visit the Kawartha Settlers’ Village?
With over 20 incredible historic buildings to visit, I would leave yourself at least 1-2 hours to explore everything. You could easily spend longer as well, if you’re planning to thoroughly tour every building!
Is it suitable for children?
Yes! The Kawartha Settlers’ Village is suitable for all ages.
What other historic things are there to do in the area?
After visiting the dairy exhibition, you can visit the real Kawartha Dairy which is only minutes away from the village! You can also visit the Boyd Heritage Museum, which provides a further insight into Bobcaygeon’s famous family.
This article’s information was last updated in July 2022.