Souvenir History of Bruce Beach/1925-1926

1925

THIS year found the population still increasing, and cottages occupied early in the season.

The development in cottage growth was now shifted to the North End, as vacant lots in the South end could not be obtained.

For a number of years, when the season came to a close, the organ and hymn books were carried to Dr. Sedgewick's cottage and the benches to Mr. W: J. West's garage, where they remained throughout the w1Oter. The need of a .permanent place for storing them was felt and after some deliberation it was decided to build a permanent Cl1Urch House, where all church accessories could be stored. Lumber was ordered, and the male persuasion invited to Come \\'itb their saws and hammers, and ,lssist in the erection. The building was finished in the course of a week.

It no\y became apparent that something \vould have to be done to procure a permanent playground as the Golf Course was materially shortened by Mr. Frank Tout ploughing up his field at the south end.

On the 17th day of August of this year Mr. D. E. Kennedy and Dr. Gerald \Xfi]son purchased the McCosh property between the forced road and the lake front for the sum of 53000.00 for golf purposes.

Rev. F. C Overend resigned the secretaryship, and Rev. H. J. Harnwell, was appointed in his place. As the duties of the Sec.-Treas., were becoming more onerous it was moved by Rev. \V. A. Bradley and seconded by Rev. \'\f. A. Bremner that a remuneration of $50.00 : per annum be granted the Sec.-Treasurer.

Many of the wells on the shore went dry this year owing to the recession of the waters of the Lake. This was in a '-larfTe measure due to the diversion of waters at <::> . Chicago.

Officers: President, ML J. E. Robertson; Vice Pres., Dr. G. Wlilson; Sec.-Treas., Rev. H. J. Harnwell.

1926

A YEAR of interest and pleasure at the Beach. Population still increasing.

The annual Sports and Concert were unusually good.

At the meeting of the Association the Committee appointed to look after the Campers' interests with the Government reported, through Mr.·. McKerroH, who advised that no action be taken by the members of the Association as the next move must come from the government.

Upon invitation the Reeve and members of the Huron To,\"nship Council were present. The Reeve stated that the government had offered the Municipality the property for the sum of $10,000. He s~ated that he had promptly told the government that the property was not worth 10,000 cents, and "nothing doing".

A meeting of the Cottagers behind the McCosh property was held in M1'. D. E. Kennedy's cottage on August 10th for the purpose of taking over the option of Me Kennedy and Dr. \'Qilson.

A company was formed 'with Mr. Angus Mlll.1I1 as Honorary President, Mr. James S. Anderson, President, Dr. Ger~]d A. \\,lilson, Vice President, Mr. D. E. Kennedy, Sec.-Treas., with Mr. Duncan Munn and Dr. J. 1\.'1. Young, director~ ..

The property was taken over and $2,800 subscribed at the meeting. The price to be paid by the company for the property was $3000.

It was decided to apply for a charter, and it was suggested that the charter bear the name McCosh.

The thanks uf the meeting were tendered to l\'Iessrs. Kennedy and \\rilson fnl' giving to the Cottagers the opportunity to become possessors of the property. Mr. McArthur sold his cottage to Dr. J. M. Young of \'(findsor. 1\'fr. C. L Ernst erected a cottage. }..fr. Thomas Kennedy of Toronto purchased the cottage of Rev. Dr. lfartin. we regret Dr. Ma.rrin·s going, but welcome the coming purchaser. who has shown his interest by assisting in every way possible to further the interests of the Beach.

The song of local coloring this year was arranged from "Pinafore" by Dr. Sedgewick and sung by the Men's Glee Club. "We still remain Bruce Beachers."

Officers: Same as previous year.