Jackson’s Point: Ontario’s First Cottage Country

 Jackson’s Point has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.

I grew up coming here for summer camps, and my parents had a trailer here. For the last 20 years, John and I have our own trailer here and our own sons grew up spending their summers here.

So when I think of Jackson’s Point, I don't just think of a summer destination, it’s our home away from home. We know it well..

What I didn't fully appreciate when I was younger was just how much history is tied to this little community on the south shores of Lake Simcoe.

Jackson’s Point is known as Ontario’s First Cottage Country, and its history as a destination goes back well over a century.

Long before us, people were coming here by steamer and railway to escape the city and enjoy time by the lake.

Today, I thought I'd take a closer look at the place that has been part of my life for so many years, and some of the stories that make Jackson’s Point so interesting.

From Steamers to Summer Resorts

Jackson’s Point was originally known as Bouchier’s Point (from 1819 until the 1830s). It was names after Royal Navy Captain William Bouchier, who received a 1,000 acre crown land grant. In 1828-1833 Bouchier’s father-in-law acquired the land and began to settle it - leading to renaming it to Jackson’s Point. 

The harbour has been an important part of the community from the very beginning.

In 1832, the first steamer on Lake Simcoe, the Simcoe, was launched here. As steamer travel developed, visitors could travel north by train and then take excursions on the luxury steamers that travelled around Lake Simcoe.

The arrival of the Lake Simcoe Junction Railway in 1877 made Jackson’s Point much easier to reach. The Toronto and York Radial Railway followed in the early 1900s, bringing electric railway service directly from Toronto.

With easier transportation came tourists. Jackson’s Point and nearby Sutton quickly developed into popular summer resorts, with boarding houses, hotels, restaurants, dance halls, a moving picture theatre and amusements for children.

For city dwellers looking for an escape, Jackson’s Point had just about everything they needed for a summer getaway.

When Lake Simcoe Supplied the Ice

The lake wasn't only important for tourism. For many years, Lake Simcoe was also an important source of natural ice.

Before refrigerators became commonplace, large blocks of ice were cut from the frozen lake during the winter, stored and shipped by rail. The ice from Lake Simcoe was considered first class and was shipped as far away as the United States.

It's hard to imagine today as we look out over the lake in summer. The same water where we swim, boat and enjoy the sunshine was once being harvested for ice and shipped hundreds of kilometres away.

The railway that helped bring tourists to Jackson’s Point also helped move this valuable product out of the area.

A Few Reminders of the Past

There are still plenty of reminders of Jackson’s Point's resort history if you know where to look.

One of my favourites is the little gazebo known as the Courting House, or Spring House. Built in the late 1800s, it became known as the Courting House because it was a popular meeting place for young couples. It is a simple structure, but knowing the story behind it makes it much more interesting.

Another reminder of those early tourism days is the Simcoe Hotel. It was once a hotel and trolley stop known as the Trolley Rest, where tourists and railway travellers arriving from Toronto could stay. The building later became a local landmark pub and is still standing today as The Simcoe Arms, with its distinctive clock tower.

These little pieces of history are easy to overlook when you're simply driving through town, but they tell us how different Jackson’s Point must have been when it was a busy summer resort.

The Briars

One of the best-known historic properties in Jackson’s Point is The Briars.

The original stone manor house was built in 1840 by Captain William Bourchier. The property later became associated with the Sibbald family and eventually developed into the country retreat and resort we know today.

The grounds are beautiful, with mature trees, gardens and views toward Lake Simcoe. There are also some interesting historic buildings on the property, including the unusual Peacock House, an octagonal brick building constructed in 1885.

The Briars has been welcoming people looking for an escape from the city for well over a century. In that respect, the purpose hasn't really changed. People still come here to slow down, enjoy the lake and take a break from everyday life.

St. George’s Church

The Sibbald family also played an important role in the history of the area around Jackson’s Point.

St. George’s Anglican Church was built in 1877 as a memorial to Susan Sibbald. The stone was brought by scow (a large flat bottom boat) across the lake, from a quarry near Barrie, to Jackson’s Point and then transported along the lakeshore to the building site.

The church cemetery is also the final resting place of several notable Canadians, including authors Stephen Leacock and Mazo de la Roche.

It's easy to pass an old stone church and simply appreciate it for its appearance, but knowing a little of its history gives you another reason to stop and take a closer look.

Eildon Hall and Sibbald Point

Just east of Jackson’s Point is Sibbald Point Provincial Park, another place where the area's history is still very much part of the landscape.

The Sibbald family established their estate here in the 1830s, with Eildon Hall at its centre. The house was named after the Sibbald family's estate in Scotland and remained in the family until 1951.

Today, Sibbald Point is better known as a popular provincial park where people come to camp, swim, hike and enjoy the beach. Eildon Hall provides a glimpse into the lives of the family who once owned this beautiful piece of Lake Simcoe shoreline.

Jackson’s Point Today

Much has changed since the days when visitors arrived by steamer and radial railway. The steamers and railway are long gone, and the ice harvesting industry is part of the past.

But the lake is still here, and so are the people who come to enjoy it.

Today, Jackson’s Point has a marina, restaurants, shops and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the waterfront. In the summer, there are boats in the harbour, people walking along the shore and families enjoying everything the lake has to offer.

And perhaps the biggest thing that hasn't changed is why people come here. They want to get away, spend time beside the lake and enjoy a slower pace.

A Place That Feels Like Home

For me, Jackson’s Point is more than a historic resort or a summer destination. It has been part of my life for most of my life and there is something special about returning to a place that has been part of your life for so many years.

People were coming here more than a century ago for many of the same reasons we do today. Maybe that's why Jackson’s Point has remained special for so long. So much has changed, but the reason people come here really hasn't.

And every summer, when we pull into Jackson’s Point, it still feels a little like coming home.