Downloadable PDF only
A book that addresses the beauty and historical significance of northern Georgian Bay. People who have experienced, or may plan to travel through the coastal islands and North Channel, visit eastern Manitoulin, the village of Killarney or explore Killarney Park will be interested in learning about the richness of its history. The many lovers of Georgian Bay will enjoy reading this story that in many ways reflects patterns evident in the opening up of Canada.
The author delves into the ancient and complex geology which results in the extraordinary beauty of the area; the politically charged archaeological excavations that demonstrate the area to have had civilization as old as any in North America; early native settlement and the treaties leading to today’s challenges over ownership of the islands on Georgian Bay; the rise and demise of commercial fishing and lumbering; the expansion of tourism and the parks movement in Ontario in relation to Killarney Provincial Park.
The colour images throughout the book portray both the beauty and the significant history of the region depicted through impressions of people who have known and loved it, over the last two centuries. Paintings of the area by early travelers such as Anna Jameson, Frances Hopkins, Paul Kane and William Armstrong are complemented by the more recent work of the Group of Seven and other contemporary artists. Early photographs include previously unpublished material from private archives.
Margaret’s knowledge of northern Georgian Bay and the Killarney area in particular is based on her training as a historian and underpinned by a family heritage of enjoying summers and loving the beauty of the Killarney area since the 1890s.
Georgian Bay Jewel was awarded the Ontario Historical society’s Fred Landon Award for the best regional book on Ontario.