Souvenir History of Bruce Beach/1894-1921

History of Bruce Beach

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. McNamara, 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 committee, 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 (Poem)

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 Alster 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.

Mr. Robert McCosh Sr., friend of the campers. who gave them the name of "White Indians"

Mr. Angus Munn, Mrs. McInnes, Mr. J.S. Anderson

1918

DURING the year 1918 Dr. Martin made extensive improvements in his cottage, which is now one of the largest on the Beach.

Owing to the growth of the colony towards the North, the place of the Sabbath services was moved, from the McCosh flats, beside the hill, to the Tout flats behind the Henderson cottage.

A feature of 1918 was the organization of a Ladies' Orchestra, with Miss Mildred Bradley as leader (mandolin), Mrs. Duncan Munn, and Miss Irene Harnwell (guitars), and Miss Eloise Baird, Miss Beatrice Huff, and Miss Beth McLennan (Ukuleles). Their first performance was given at the annual concert, the proceeds of which amounted to $62.00, which sum was given to the Red Cross Society of Ripley.

The only building erected this year was a boat bouse by Dr. J. F. McKenzie.

At the annual meeting of the Association expressions of regret "'ere given at the loss of our fellow camper" Rev. A. B. Dobson, and the following resolution was ordered to be spread upon the minutes.

"We the Members of the Bruce Beach Campers Association, in this annual meeting desire to express ~ our keen sense of loss, occasioned through the death last winter of one of our .oldest, and most highly respected members, the Rev. A. B. Dobson of Fordwich.

"It was largely due to Mr. Dobson's community spirit that this Association came into existence, and the very interesting history of our pleasant summer resort, incorporated in our records, was' written.

"By his genial disposition, his habitual unselfishness, and his sterling worth, he won his way to all our hearts, and we shall greatly miss him in our annual holiday gatherings.

"To Mrs. Dobson and the bereaved family our sincerest sympathy is extended, and I've earnestly pray that they may ever have the unfailing riches of a Heavenly Father's affection and care."

Officers: President-Rev. J. W. Baird, Vice-Pres. Mr. J. S. Robertson, Sec.-Treas.-Rev. W.A. Bradley.

1919

WITH the Great War ended, and the people released from the strain of those four terrible years, 1919 saw a greater number of visitors than on any previous year, though we missed some of our former young men: The words of Mrs. Heman's are appropriate here in her Graves of Household:

"One sleeps where Southern vines are dressed
Above the noble slain,
He wrapt his colors round his breast,
On a blood-red field of Spain,"

But in this instance it was where the poppies grow, on a blood-red field of France.

The only cottage built, was by F. H. McMullen of Ripley, on the site where Rev. J. M. Wesley had in 1915 put in a cellar, and which he disposed of in 1919, on his return from the war.

The executive of 1918 had discussed the question of procuring seating for our Sabbath services, and the matter was left in the hands of the President, Rev. J. W. Baird, who went about the matter vigorously when he arrived in 1919, with the result, that seating for 125 persons was procured, and set up in Tout's grove. A platform and folding pulpit were also procured. These conveniences, with the formation of a choir, greatly increased the attendance of the Sabbath services. The cost of these furnishing was met by the proceeds of the annual concert, and the offerings taken at the meetings.

The musical and literary numbers put on by the Ladies orchestra became a feature of the annual concert, and many verses of local application were much enjoyed by the audience. A few are here appended.

Bruce Beach shall shine tonight,
Bruce Beach shall shine.
Tbe beadligbts of tbe azttOJ
1"Ire all arranged ill line.
BJ'1Ice Beacb sball sbine to night,
Bruce Beach shall shine.
U'7hell the stln goes dOtl'n and the 1710017 comes up
Bruce Beach shall shine.
Bruce Beach shall shine tonight,
Bruce Beach shall shim.
Its beaut)' and its gaiety
III oZir affectio1lS ttl'ine·
Bruce Beach shall shille tonight,
Bruce Beach shall shine.
lJ7hen the sun goes down and tbe moon com~.i up
Bruce Beach shall shine.
Bruce Beach shall shine tonight,
Bruce Beach shall shine.
The Cam fm',f and their friends are here,
Alld the fun begins at nille,
Bruce Beach shall shine tonight,
Bruce Beach shall shine.
ncT hen the sun goes dowil and the mOOn comes up
Bruce Beach shall shine.

Another selection by the Orchestra composed by the Secretary of the Association, Rev. W. A. Bradley, in praise of the Beach was sung to the tune of "Solomon Levi".

If you want to spend a holiday,
And have a pleasant time,
Where the air is pure and bracing,
And the sunset are sublime.
There's a place by Old Lake Huron
That's a little hard to reach
But of all resorts of summer,
There are none that beat Bruce Beach.

Chorus:

Bruce Beach, Bruce Beach,
Tra la la la la lee,
Bruce Beach, Bruce Beach,
Gay and beautiful place to be.
The girls are fair, the boys are rare;
And as you may plainly see,
But come along and join our throng ..
For this is the place for me.

To be up to date with other institutions a Bruce Beach yell was composed by the President, Rev. W. J. Baird.

Bruce Beach, Bruce Beach.
Give a cheer for Bruce Beach.
Bruce Beach. Bruce Beach.
Pass the word along.
Bruce Beach, Bruce Beach.
Come next rear to Bruce Beach.
And bring a friend along.
B-r-u-c-e B-e-a-c-h.
BRUCE·BEACH ! ! !

This year also saw the formation of a Camera Club, with .Miss Mabel Dobson as President, and Rev. J. W. Baird. Sec.-Treas. The charter members were seventeen in number.

Officers: President, Rev. J. W. Baird; Vice-Pres., Mr. J. S, Robertson; Sec.-Treas., Rev. W. A. Bradley.

1920

THE year 1920 was a year of interest and progress at the Beach. Applications for cottages to rent were numerous, and exceeded the ability of those concerned to supply the needed accommodation. More than hventy applicants were unable to procure cottages. Many cellars were put in, and lots staked out by prospective builders. Four cottages were erected by the following, Miss Ruth \'(! arren of 'iX' alkerton, Mr. 'iX!. E. McCorquodale of Detroit, Rev. J. R. Hosking~_ of. Huron township, and Rev. J. R. Kirkpatrick of Ripley, while substantial improvements were made in their cottages by Mr. Duncan Munn, Rev. D. A. McLean, and Rev.'s Bremner and McKerroll.

A Sunday School. meeting at 3.30 p.m. was organized, with Dr. J. F. McKenzie as Superintendent, which was well attended, and much appreciated by both children and parents.

Religious services were made interesting this year by the presence of two Foreign Missionaries, Rev. 1. \'X!. Pierce from Turkey, and .Miss M. Robertson from Egypt, who took the Sabbath services on three occasions.

The year 1920 was also signalized by the organization of a l\Ien's Glee Ciub by Rev. W. A. Bradley, \\'ho became its first leader. The Club was composed of the following me'l11bers, Rev, \\i', A. Bradley, Rev. F, J. Maxwell, Rev, H. ]. Harnwell, Rev. F, C Overend, Rev. J. U. Stewart, Re\". ]. \\1. Baird', Rev. \Yl. J. West, and Dr. J. F. McKenzie and Mr. E. F. Lambert.

Their selections rendered were from the University of Toronto Song Book and were much appreciated by the large audiences at the annual concerts.

Rev. A. B. Dobson

Steps were also taken at the annual meeting of the Association to provide greater facilities for sport, and each Division appointed a committee to look over the ground best suited for a Tennis court in their immediate vicinity. Thus a Tennis court was provided in each Division. One on the McCosh property in Division one.

One in Division two on the Tout flats. and one in Division three near the 8th concession.

The Association discussed the need of better provisioning of the Beach. No storekeepers in Kincardine or Ripley thought it worth while to cater for the patronage of the colony. but arrangements were at length made with Mr. J. \'\!. Crawford of Ripley to visit the Beach three times a week with groceries and provisions, and with Mr. Emmerton of Kincardine to visit the Beach twice a week with vegetables and fruits.

Rev. H. J. Harnwell, President 1920

As a result of the formation of the Camera Club, the Bruce Beach Snapshot Album was circulated among the members for inspection, It contained many of the photos that are in this book.

The only change in real estate in 1920 was the purchase of the Cooper cottage by Rev, J, u. Stewart, who returned to the Beach after an absence of four years, and the purchase of the McNab cottage by the Rev. F. C. Overend.

Officers: President, Rev. H. J. Harnwell; Vice-Pres., Mr. J. S. Robertson; Sec.-Treas., Rev. W. A. Bradley .

1921

THIS year saw an increased population at the Beach, and an activity in building scarcely excelled in any previous year.

Cottages were built by Miss Agnes Hamilton of Goderich, Mr. J. R. McLeod of Montreal, Mr. A. Love of Detroit, Mr. A. Jackson of Seaforth, Rev. C. A. Malcolm of Lawrence, .Mr. J. S. Robertson of Ripley, Miss Ruth Heather of Guelph, Rev. J. E. Hunter of Belmont, Dr. D. Iv1artyn of Detroit, and Mr. E. F. Lambert of Toronto, while a small summer house was built by Dr. McLennan of Windsor, and a study by Rev. W. A.Bradley of Teeswater.

Steps were taken by the Association at its annual meeting to secure a title to the ground on which our cottages are built and two committees were appointed, one consisting of Rev. W. A. Bradley, Mr. J. S. Robertson and Mr. Robt. McCosh, to interview the Huron Township Council, and another consisting of Rev. D. T. L. McKerroll, Ivlr. J. E. Robertson and Mr. J. S. Anderson to interview the Provincial Government, and report the following year. Tennis courts were laid out in each of the three divisions, and a very successful Tournament conducted. Rev. W. A. Bradley resigned as Secretary of the Association, which position he held for five years, but was continued as official historian of the Beach. Rev. J. E. Overend was appointed in his place.

The only transfer of property this year was the sale by Mr. John S. Robertson of his new cottage to Mr. T. L. Hamilton of Listowel.

The local song of the year, sung at the annual concert was a parody composed by Rev. W. A. Bradley, and sung to the Tune, "There's a tavern in our town".

We are the Glee Club at Bruce Beach, at Bruce Beach,
A place to summer that's a peach, that's a peach,
We greet our friends with laughter free,
And ever after think of thee.

Chorus:

Fair thee well for we must leave you.
Do not let the parting grieve you.
And remember that the best of friends must part, must part.
Adieu. Adieu. Kind friends Adieu. Adieu: Adieu.
We can no longer stay with you, stay with you.
So we'll hang our harps on a little cedar tree.
May the world go well with thee.
Our holidays are free from care, free from care.
Your pleasures and your joys we share, joys we share.
At golf and tennis, and the oar.
We spend our time upon the shore.
O come next summer to the Beach, to the Beach.
This invitation we give each, we give each.
Come and enjoy a while at ease,
With a cottage 'mong the trees.

Officers: President, Rev. W. J. West; Vice Pres., Dr. R. Martin; Sec.-Treas., Rev. W. A. Bradley.