Bigwin, before the renovations

[mikejb]

I just wanted to share this painting I have hanging in my office. It was done by a friend of mine prior to Bigwin Island being redone.

The painting is called the Phantom Dance Hall as a result of the history of the resort.

Enjoy

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v327/Skiterra/IMG_1296.jpg

[Grass Roots Tour]

Thats neat. The new clubhouse isnt near the water like this but the colour scheme is very similar.

Theres an old abandoned resort on the island that you can see during your tour of their facility and I was wondering if anyone could shed some light on what happened.

[RobertThompson]

Sometime in the 1970s, with demand falling, the resort and golf course (done by Stanley Thompson, but short) was closed. The golf course grew over and the resort fell into complete disrepair.

[mikejb]

A breif history of Bigwin is available here.
http://www.bigwinisland.com/history.html

The painting is of the old dance hall which was located to the east of the clubhouse as it exists today. I believe it was in such a state of disrepair that they had to tear it down. I have always wondered why they changed the colour scheme from white to the beige that the club house is now. You can see the old builds and colour of the resort with the area where the condo's will be built.

My grandmother has fond memories as a teenager of trips to Bigwin to party in the dance hall during the 30's after WW1. It was the place to be, and be seen during the summers of Muskoka. I beleive you would even have to take the train from Gravenhurst or Bracebridge over to Baysville, then hope the steamer to the Island.

There are comflicting reports of ownership during the time when the resort closed as a result of guard dogs existing on site and the small landing strip found near the 7th hole I beleive. Some rumours including Russian mob owning it and using it to run drugs into the province from all over.

[riso]

Just to add on - played the course this Sunday, it is definitely one of the best Ontario golf experiences I had. Five stars!

[Golftool]

A breif history of Bigwin is available here.
http://www.bigwinisland.com/history.html

The painting is of the old dance hall which was located to the east of the clubhouse as it exists today. I believe it was in such a state of disrepair that they had to tear it down. I have always wondered why they changed the colour scheme from white to the beige that the club house is now. You can see the old builds and colour of the resort with the area where the condo's will be built.

My grandmother has fond memories as a teenager of trips to Bigwin to party in the dance hall during the 30's after WW1. It was the place to be, and be seen during the summers of Muskoka. I beleive you would even have to take the train from Gravenhurst or Bracebridge over to Baysville, then hope the steamer to the Island.

There are comflicting reports of ownership during the time when the resort closed as a result of guard dogs existing on site and the small landing strip found near the 7th hole I beleive. Some rumours including Russian mob owning it and using it to run drugs into the province from all over.

Mike - my grandparents have told many stories of this place along with Dunns pavilion (Kee to Bala). All the big bands of the day used to come up there - Glen Miller - Count Basey ect. and play.

Muskoka became the playground for the rich Steel magnets from Pittsburg during the summers - they wanted a place with fresh air - because pittsburg was dirty and smoggy from the factories and built many of the resorts and +$mil cottages in the muskoka/ lake of bays area.

[mikejb]

Here is a poor site, but it is full of information. http://bigwinmemories.grampasworkshop.net/index.html

If you flip through any of the wonderful books on Muskoka at Indigo you wil get a great idea of the history of Muskoka and the good old days. It is still the playground of the steel magnets. I have quite a few friends up there who's family were founding members of Muskoka Lakes G&CC or Beaumaris.

It is amazing to know who you are standing beside at the IGA during the summer, or who the group in front of you is on the tee.

If you want to know more about the history of the area sites like this will definitly be of assitance - http://www.visitmuskoka.com/history.htm

[Golftool]

It is amazing to know who you are standing beside at the IGA during the summer, or who the group in front of you is on the tee.


I was eating at the Waters Edge (Lake Joe) with my parents, wife and in-laws - when Goldie Hawn & Kurt Russell & their son walked in and sat next to us!

Also grabbed an ice cream in Port Stanfield and in walks Martin Short and his family!

Used to party at Edenvale (Port Carling) every weekend and there was always a few NHLr's there - Paul Coffey, Shane Corson & Eric (my head hurts) Lindros and others.

Just about any given weekend up there you will recognize someone.

[mikejb]

Goldie and Kurt looked at our place to buy when they were looking. I was on the dock with the both of them for 40 mins quite the experience.

Paul Coffee actual came over to our place a few times when he was in his bachelor days, and Corson used to be across the bay from a friend of mine. I also remember seeing parts of the Flyers on the tee deck @ Port Carling many times. Coffee plays there almost every morning at like 7 and is gone by 9.

Those are the celebrites that are up there, I am more interested in the guys I see on the Ovinbryd roster.....

[backnine39]

Muskoka became the playground for the rich Steel magnets

I thought magnets just attract steel, they are attracted to Muskoka as well? :D

[landlord]

I thought magnets just attract steel, they are attracted to Muskoka as well? :D You beat me to it. :)

Steel magnets are a dime a dozen. It's hard to find a good spelling magnate though.

And don't get me going on ski mogles. :rofl: