Local Reads: The History of Clyffe House

There are countless stories of the early days in Muskoka and particularly Huntsville.

I recently wrote about a book penned by Ray Love about the early history of recreation and sport and how it has evolved over the last century.

How the area was settled and how it became what it is today is a fascinating tale of hard work, frustration, courage, dedication, mishap, success stories, and heartwarming memories.

David Scott, a retired high school teacher, has recently published a book about Clyffe House resort in Port Sydney. It’s a deeply personal story and one that helps to explain what it was like back in the late 1800s and the early 1900s .

You see, Dave is the fourth generation of his family to own and operate Clyffe House. His great grandparents, James and Fanny Jenner, built the resort after clearing the land. They raised seven children and lay the foundation for one of the unique stories of early-day tourism in the area.

The Jenners arrived in Muskoka in 1869 coming on the maiden voyage of the steamship S.S. Prussion to Quebec City. They travelled by train to Toronto and then Barrie. From there they boarded a steamer which took them to Washago on Lake Couchiching, then by stagecoach to Gravenhurst. From there it was another steamship ride to Bracebridge, then another stagecoach to Utterson and then Port Sydney.

Scott relates a lot of the challenges and the detail of how the now rustic resort got its grand beginnings.

“They were given 200 acres of free farmland,” explained Scott, “which you and I know as the farm grants. Muskoka is not farm land, however, but they cleared the property and put in crops. They had to grow so many turnips because turnips were a big thing back in those days.

“When the railway came to Huntsville in 1886 it opened an opportunity to take in hunters who stayed in the farmhouse. They added to the farmhouse and by 1930 it also included staff quarters. They could accommodate 80 people by then and they could also sell their own produce to the guests.”

Scott says he has childhood memories of having to pick enough beans and lettuce in the gardens on the property to supply the needs of the guests.

“The truck would also come Thursdays with lamb and sides of beef,” Scott added, “and my job was to cut it into chops and hang the beef.”

They ran the dining room for 75 years but it became unprofitable and Scott said he closed it in 1975.

Clyffe House is the oldest resort in Muskkoka still operated by the same family. It is said in the introduction of the book that its continued existence today is a testament to the fortitude of those who envisioned the opportunity, created a holiday atmosphere that helped to put Muskoka on the map, and over many decades evolved with the changing nature of hospitality and tourism in the region.

“Our focus has always been, including today, on families and children,” said Scott, when asked why they were able to attract people year after year to Clyffe House. “We have families who have come back year after year. Our longest returning guest family is now 98 years. We’ve been full July and August for 30 years. We’re full most weekends from May long weekend to Thanksgiving.”

If there is one thing the author of The History of Clyffe House likes to do it’s to remember stories he was told along with his memories as a kid when his mother and sister Cay and Doris were running the business.

“I have pictures of people playing tennis in our tennis court where the men were wearing white flannels,” he recounted smiling. “I also have a picture of a couple canoeing. She is wearing a full dress. If that canoe had ever tipped over, and of course they had no life jackets then, it would have been a problem.

The book is a fascinating accounting of the history of Clyffe House and several of the notable families who have come year after year, generation after generation. Some of the names are in the rich and famous category.

“It’s hard understand why the upper middle class in Toronto would come to a place like Clyffe House,” said Scott, “without running water in the bedroom.”

As for the future, Scott says that’s interesting. Clyffe House has gone through the train, then car and airplane eras, and now it’s the internet and each time it means added competition.

“The internet has seen an increase in international visitors and so that’s a whole new opportunity. It is also a challenge in that more and more cottage owners are able to rent their properties to guests as well,” said Scott.

“The most important aspect of my book is that it is a record of the history of the oldest resort in Muskoka still operated by the same family. No other Muskoka resort has the repeat business factor that Clyffe House has created. The book throws a light on what is important about tourism in Muskoka since 1900. No other resort—not even Bigwin Inn—has five generations of customer loyalty that we have. No one.”

The History of Clyffe House is available $20 at Red Door and Dean’s Hardware in Port Sydney or by contacting Clyffe House (details here). You can also get an ebook version here.

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