Sturgeon Point: 125 Years of History
2024 marks the 125th year of the incorporation of Sturgeon Point as its own village within Victoria County. Though a small village, Sturgeon Point joined municipalities of Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Omemee, and Woodville giving them the right to elect their own council and pass by-laws and regulations specific to the tight-knit community.
Bill 63 - An Act to incorporate the Village of Sturgeon Point was passed in March 1899 after deputation and petitions were received by the Ontario Government. John D. Flavelle, Thomas Stewart, George H. Hopkins, and Charles D. Barr represented the community to government officials and Samuel Fox, MPP.
Highlights of Sturgeon Point’s Early History
THE REGATTAS
A regatta at Sturgeon Point sponsored by the Lindsay Canoe Club. [189-]. George W. Beall fonds. Kawartha Lakes Museum & Archives.
Regattas at Sturgeon Point featured numerous boat races, swimming, and friendly competitions, accompanied by good food and good company. On September 10, 1840, a small group of 28 people gathered at the Point to enjoy what eventually became an annual event. John Langton set up a marquee the day before in anticipation of the day's events. Unfortunately, rough waters and a lack of participation prevented several races from occurring, and the event was not as grand as initially expected.
In 1885, the Lindsay Canoe Club spearheaded a new regatta, giving shape to the annual event. Formed in July 1883, the club elected Adam Hudspeth as President and E. B. Edwards as Vice President. Within a few months, the club grew to 20 members and secured a boathouse along the Scugog River at the end of Ridout Street, Lindsay.
Lindsay Boat Company. 1918. Original location of the Lindsay Canoe Club on Ridout Street, Lindsay. George W. Beall fonds. Kawartha Lakes Museum & Archives.
The Lindsay Canoe Club sponsored its first regatta at Sturgeon Point on August 13, 1885, with many familiar and historical names of Sturgeon Point participating. Thomas Stewart, William Flavelle, R. H. Hopkins, Samuel Britton, William Dundas, and W. A. Goodwin all took part in the day's events, which included canoe racing and swimming. The event succeeded for those who attended, with local citizens receiving monetary prizes. Mr. Dunham of the Sturgeon Point Hotel gave $15, and J. D. Flavelle gifted $5. Over the following decades, other prizes included the Challenger Cup and Medal and a silk flag for winners of respective canoe and dinghy races.
Lindsay Canoe Club burgee. 1912. Owned by Thomas Stewart. Kawartha Lakes Museum & Archives.
The club continued to prosper throughout the 1880s and 1890s. By 1886, the club had over 112 members and two boathouses that could accommodate over 100 canoes. On any given event, they could turn out over 70 canoeists on the Scugog River for their events and towing.
THE STEAMSHIPS
Steamer Manita at the Upper Wharf, Sturgeon Point. [between 1903 and 1915]. George W. Beall fonds. Kawartha Lakes Museum & Archives. The rain shelter on the right was erected by the village council in 1903
A serene and picturesque community attracted people seeking a summer holiday or getaway. Each year in late June and early July, permanent residents of Lindsay moved to their cottages, drawing numerous visitors from across Ontario and the U.S. border states.
The steamships Esturion and George Crandell’s Eva annually transported people to the Point and operated daily trips. As there was no direct road from Lindsay to the resort grounds, water travel was essential. Edith Stewart, who relaxed in her hammock that overlooked Sturgeon Lake, would have witnessed passengers disembarking at the Upper Wharf near her family's cottage, enjoying the lively atmosphere noted by W. A. Goodwin as the "racket at the Point."
The Village of Sturgeon Point erected the rain shelter, a local landmark at the Upper Wharf, in 1903 to facilitate boarding steamships and provide shelter while awaiting their arrival. This structure aided steamships like Kathleen, Kenosha, and Manita in transporting over 1,000 people to attend the meticulously planned Flavelle Milling Company picnic, an annual event from the 1880s to 1910 overseen by J. D. Flavelle, the owner.
Though the rain shelter's use declined with the steamships, it remained a poignant reminder of the historical era of travel on the Trent-Severn and the community it supported.
![Edith Stewart with friends at the rain shelter, Sturgeon Point. [after 1908].](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/629e1252b24a823a2d3d61c1/1718734049652-0FP1KDYJ049S3LBXOJ9S/2023146.jpg)
![Lower Wharf, Sturgeon Point. [189-].](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/629e1252b24a823a2d3d61c1/1718733848041-36AQKRGUW26C60VZR8B8/2023976.jpg)
!["Palace Scow" at the Lower Wharf, Sturgeon Point. [between 1890 and 1895].](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/629e1252b24a823a2d3d61c1/1718733925974-MDE45LFEWT15QC3LVO2X/2023983.jpg)
THE BOATHOUSES
Group of women on boathouse at Sturgeon Point. [191-]. Lilian Stewart is five from the right. Stewart family fonds. Kawartha Lakes Museum & Archives.
Boathouses and launching areas dotted the shores of Sturgeon Point, serving as more than mere gateways to water fun — they formed the heart of community life and leisure by the lake. Whether sunbathing on a dock, strolling along the shore, or embarking on a sail, the water offered endless opportunities.
Aird Flavelle and his friends slept at the Point in boathouses or cottages on Front Street, using them as bases for their duck hunts. Their adventures often led them north to Bythe or south to McLaren’s Creek. Despite not always returning with ducks, each September and October found teenage Aird and his friends spending days on Sturgeon Lake, eagerly anticipating their next hunt long after cottagers packed up for the season.
Hopkin’s boathouse with their dinghy. [after 1908]. Stewart family fonds. Kawartha Lakes Museum & Archives.
Fishing enthusiasts reeled in bass and muskellunge, with a dedicated New York angler landing fifty quality bass in a single day, weighing between one-and-a-half to four pounds — a remarkable achievement even in fertile fishing grounds. Muskellunge, often weighing up to twenty-five pounds, were also frequently caught. Nearby, duck and partridge hunting was conveniently accessible, while the area abounded with deer and bear.
Lilian Stewart standing on the sandbar. [191-]. Stewart family fonds. Kawartha Lakes Museum & Archives.
Competitive and leisure water sports such as tilting, tug-of-war, and canoe races were popular activities. However, the water wasn't just for sports; it was also a place for sunbathing on docks or leisurely cruising in launches and canoes with friends. Particularly among teenagers and young adults, it served as a tranquil setting for socializing without interruptions.
Sturgeon Point's allure, as highlighted in an 1895 issue of Canada’s Summer Resort Guide, lay not only in its water activities but also in its scenic beauty, sunbathing spots, and picturesque walks and drives.
Written by Zac Miller, Archivist