It’s Wayback Wednesday, sponsored by Jamie Lockwood, broker/owner of Sutton Group Muskoka Realty!
In this undated photo, guests at Limberlost bask in the winter sun behind ice-block wind breaks.
When Gordon Hill purchased land on Solitaire Lake, northeast of Huntsville, in 1920, he envisioned a rustic wilderness retreat to lure tourists. He named his resort Limberlost, after a series of books by Gene Stratton-Porter. The first winter it operated, Limberlost offered ski vacations.
Despite the Depression in subsequent years, Limberlost thrived. Hill had also purchased property at Interlaken where there were log buildings for overnight camping trips. On his 3,000-acre estate, Hill carved 150 miles of ski trails, and added a toboggan slide and ski jump. The Top of the World ski hill opened at Limberlost, at one of the highest points in Muskoka, in 1934. Remnants of the old ski tow can still be found on the property.
During the 1930s, Limberlost also hosted an “air meet” attracting planes from all over Ontario for a weekend of skiing, skalom races, and other outdoor diversions.
Today, Limberlost has a variety of hiking and cross-country ski trails open daily for public use, as well as rental cottages and campsites.
Photo and details courtesy of Huntsville: With Spirit and Resolve.
See more Wayback Wednesday photos here.
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Brian Tapley says
There was a short National Film Board movie that made some local screenings in the late 60’s or early 70’s I think and it was about Limberlost lodge.
Has anyone ever seen it? Does anyone know where it might be archived?
Curious.