Souvenir History of Bruce Beach/1894-1921

As far as is known The Bruce Beach Summer Resort had its origin in 1894. On the 24th day of May of that year, a picnic party from Ripley met in Mr. William Tout's grove, which among others comprised the McInnes, Munn, McCrimmon and Jackson families. During the course of the day someone remarked that such an event might be frequently held. Where¬ upon Mr. Angus Munn suggested a place nearer to the lake, and led the party along the shore to the spot where Rev. Mr. Maxwell's cottage now stands. During the course of the same day, as the site seemed favorable one, Messrs. Gongia McInnes, and A. Jackson agreed to pitch a tent there later in the summer, which they accordingly did, and spent the holiday season there, calling the place "Sylvan Beach Home", which name they had printed on a large streamer.

1894

During that same year also the first cottage was erected by Messrs. Kennedy and Jackson, on the -site of the present Anderson cottage. The building was ~I small double one, with adjacent kitchens, on either side, and part of it is embodied in Mrs. Anderson's present cottage. During the time of their annual holiday upon the Beach, these campers were visited almost every day by Mr. Robert McCosh Sr., whose farm fronted on the lake, and who jokingly called them "The White Indians". Mr. McCosh was a man with a fine sense of humour, and his daily visit was eagerly looked for by his camping friends.

1896

In 1896 Mr. McInnes built the cottage still occupied by the family, but which has since been remodeled, and is now one of the most attractive on the shore. Mr. Munn also erected his cottage later in the same year. For some years these three were the only cottages in the co1011\'. It was then known as "Ripley Beach".

1900

In 1900 Mr. James S. Anderson purchased the Kennedy-Jackson cottage, which has since been greatly enlarged and beautified. From the beginning of the encampment the founders insisted on a reverent regard for the Sabbath, and for religious worship. Accordingly religious services were held each Lord's Day evening in a tent furnished by Mr. James Anderson, and later in the open air on McCosh's flats, near the hill leading to the road. The colony was thus auspiciously begun.

1902

In 1902 Mr. Chapman built a cottage now known as the Harris Cottage. The Harris family having acquired it a few years later.

1903

Up to this date the population had been composed entirely of the lay element, but in the year 1903 the clerical element appeared in the person of Rev. Robert Martin of Erskine Church Hamilton, later• Dr. Martin of Knox Church, Stratford, and First United Church, St. Thomas. Dr. Martin's arrival signalized. a clerical movement toward the Beach, which has resulted in the addition to the population of many others of that profession.

1904

Mr. Martin was followed in 1904 by Rev. Mr. McNab of Walton, later of Underwood, and for three years these two brethren were the only ecclesiastics on the shore. By this time the location began to be known as "Bruce Beach" -which name was given to it by Mrs. James S. Anderson.

1907

In 1907 the fraternity that usually knows a good thing, when it is visible, was enlarged by the appearance of Revs. I:v1cNamara, of Drayton, Perrie of Wingham, Burnett of Molesworth, McLeod of Ripley, and Dobson of Fordwich, each of whom erected cottages. After five years Mr. McNamara disposed of his cottage to Mr. Maxwell, while Mr. McLeod almost immediately after the first season, also disposed of his, and left for Scot¬land. Iv1r. Burnett summered at the Beach for some years, but after his removal to Dorchester, Ontario, he was called to his eternal rest, and Mrs. Burnett sold the cottage to Rev.. William Cooper of Mount Forest in 1914, in which year Mr. Cooper became a resident of the Beach. But we must not neglect to mention here,• that the Royal game of Golf, which had been introduced by Dr. Martin, and an organization affected in 1907, was empha¬sised. The mime given to the Association was The Bruce Beach Golf Club, and it has done much to enliven and invigorate the social life of the' Beach.

1908

The season of 1908 saw a considerable addition to the place, as during that year the Revs. W. J. West, D. T. L. McKerroll and W. A. Bremner .and Messrs. Archer and Hamilton erected cottages. It was during this year also that the Bruce Beach Campers Association, which has done so much for the general good of the community, was organized.

1909

During the year 1909 there were no building operations, but in 1910 Mr. Barker of Lansing, Michigan, Mr. Treleavan of Ripley, Mr. John S. Robertson of Ripley and Mr. Pollock of Ripley joined the company and erected cottages. Mrs. Barker in 1915 disposed of her cottage to Rev. A. J Mann of Brussels, who then joined the ranks.

About this time the Camper's Association instituted Field Day, and Regatta Day sports.

1916

The year 1916 witnessed the completion of a fine cottage by Rev. W. A. Bradley of Teeswater, as well as that of Rev. D. A. McLean of Ripley, and Mr. S. W. Huff of Detroit, and the disposal by Rev. Mr. Stewart of his cottage to the Misses Morgan of Ripley.

And what shall I say more? The time would fail to tell of the origin of the bonfires, picnics, excursions, and other interesting items in connection with the history of our beloved Beach.

Compiled to this point by a commitee, appointed by the Association consisting of Rev. A. B. Dobson, Prof. R. Davidson and A Munn.

At the annual meeting of the Association in 1916 Rev. W. A. Bradley was elected Secretary-Treasurer of the Association, and also appointed official Historian of the Beach. He noticed that certain Beachers bore a Beach nickname, as he was promptly given the sobriquet of Erin Go Bragh. He wrote the following poem on…

THE MEN OF BRUCE BEACH

Draw near ye gods, lend me your ears, attend,

While I my hearty greetings do extend,

To all the men of head, and heart, and speech,

Who grace the sacred precincts of Bruce Beach.

Thy trysting spot, where champions of the Truth,

Forget their cares, and here renew their Youth,

This noble race of men of high emprise,

Familiar cognomens will recognize,

Among the clan illustrious on the strand,

In foremost rank did Dougal Angus stand,

In statue large, and just as large his heart,

A leader strong with whom we could not part;

Our Billy Kaiser's not like Deutschland Bill,

Who put Old Europe in a mess, but got .his fill;

But in our sports with Ritchie, Cooper, Baird,

And Malcolm Murdock, of whom all have heard,

He takes his place with Max O'Riley bold,

Lends Irish wit more valuable than gold,

Our Robert Dim, and Als’ter Bann, divines,

Each in the pulpit, and on golf links, shines,

Combine their wisdom, and their counsel sound,

To make the Beach a sacred, hallowed ground,

Harnwell, serene, ranks high in the profession,

McKenzie's ruling elder of the session,

But what shall I say more for time at best,

Would fail to tell of Davidson, and West,

Perrie, McLean, McNabb, all sons of Knox,

Deserving a monument like Brock's,

But here would I foreglance, the future brave,

And lay my grateful tribute on the grave,

Of one whose gentle mien and courtly grace,

And influence strong that time cannot efface,

True, noble, kind was Dobson in his life,

The burden laid he rests beyond the strife.

Erin Go Bragh

Glossary

Dougal Angus	...	Rev. D. T L. McKerroll
Billy Kaiser	...	Rev. W. A. Bremner
Max O'Reiley	...	Rev. J. A. Maxwell
Malcolm Murdock	...	Rev. M. McArthur
Robert Dim	...	Dr. Robt. Martin
Alister Bann	...	Rev. A. J. Mann
Erin Go Bragh	...	Rev. W. A. Bradley

1917

During the year 1917 our boundaries were extended beyond the eighth concession, and cottages were erected by Roderick Martyn of Ripley, Samuel Pollock of Ripley, and Thomas Clark of Detroit. During the same year Dr. Axford of Alvinston and Rev. W. H. Burgess of Chatham also erected cottages, while Rev. A. J. Mann, who had been a resident of the Beach for three years, disposed of his cottage to the Rev. F. Q. Nichol, of Amherstburg, the latter getting possession about the middle of August of that year.

Mr. Nichol's sojourn at the Beach was of short duration. In January 1918 he died in a Detroit hospital, as the result of an operation, and Mrs. Nichol sold the cottage to the Henderson sisters of Lucknow.

At the annual meeting of the Association the question of having the cottages numbered was discussed, and Mr J. S. Anderson was asked to procure numbers, and have them forwarded to the Secretary. Subsequently the secretary Rev. W. A. Bradley, and Mr. John S. Robertson, tramped the length of the occupied territory, one October day, and placed aluminum numbers on all the cottages.

Officers: Pres. Rev. M. McArthur, Vice-Pres. J. S. Anderson, Sec.-Treas. Rev. W. A. Bradley.