History of Williams' Point
Some time in the late 1800's or early 1900's, a dam was built at Lindsay. Water was forced south and what was once a creek is now Lake Scugog. A small fleet operated on the lake; tugboats carried cargo and steamboats carried passengers. Since there was no railway between Port Perry and the North Country, business on the lake was good. The first Council for this area was formed in 1837. The first Reeve was James Caesar who headed this Council for 22 years. Thus the name of the village Caesarea.
Even then, there were land developers and in 1920 to 1921, a group headed by a Mr. Carnegie and Mr. Hortop bought 18 acres from a Mr. James Williams, of Caesarea, who was the father of Wilfred Williams, who became the father-in-law of Mr. Ralph Sadler, who, until a few years ago, farmed the land adjacent to our Golf Course and cottages. The many beautiful trees on the point, such as Birch, Oak, Beech, Cedars, Maples, Pines and Hemlocks were planted by Mr. Paul Williams in 1871.
These developers apparently divided up the lakeside lots and by 1923, all the building lots were sold.
Mr. Wilfred Williams, for some years, cut the ice, stored it in our ice house and delivered it to the cottagers. He also sold eggs and milk and took care of our garbage and “Honey Pails” (on different days).
In the early years (1920’s and up to the 1940’s), the Indians from the island would load up their canoes and come to the Point and sell their crafts to the cottagers.
It was not long before all the lots, except for the two park lands, were sold and cottages erected. Sometime in the 1920’s Mr. Torrance and his wife laid out the Shady Acres area which, along with Shady Bay, became part of Williams’ Point.
Even then, there were land developers and in 1920 to 1921, a group headed by a Mr. Carnegie and Mr. Hortop bought 18 acres from a Mr. James Williams, of Caesarea, who was the father of Wilfred Williams, who became the father-in-law of Mr. Ralph Sadler, who, until a few years ago, farmed the land adjacent to our Golf Course and cottages. The many beautiful trees on the point, such as Birch, Oak, Beech, Cedars, Maples, Pines and Hemlocks were planted by Mr. Paul Williams in 1871.
These developers apparently divided up the lakeside lots and by 1923, all the building lots were sold.
Mr. Wilfred Williams, for some years, cut the ice, stored it in our ice house and delivered it to the cottagers. He also sold eggs and milk and took care of our garbage and “Honey Pails” (on different days).
In the early years (1920’s and up to the 1940’s), the Indians from the island would load up their canoes and come to the Point and sell their crafts to the cottagers.
It was not long before all the lots, except for the two park lands, were sold and cottages erected. Sometime in the 1920’s Mr. Torrance and his wife laid out the Shady Acres area which, along with Shady Bay, became part of Williams’ Point.
In 1921, the W.P.C.A. was started. In 1925, the pavilion was built and the land purchased for the Golf Course. The course was designed by Bill Hendricks and committee members helped to make the greens and bunkers. The grass seed, which was collected by farmer friends from their barns, was supplied by Mr. Garfat. The first tournament was held that same year and a trophy made of wood and supplied by Mr. MacLean of General Motors was won by Ray Grinell, who beat Bill Hendricks by one stroke. Mrs. Denyes had a hole-in-one (the first of the course) that day and won a bathing suite which her father considered too daring for his daughter to wear. In the 1920’s, the golf course was so popular that the committee worked hard and raised about $700.00 to purchase more land from Mr. Williams and develop another 9 holes. A deal was arranged and everything ready to proceed with the treasurer skipped out with all the funds, resulting in no additional purchase.
In those early years, the booth was run by members of the executive and for a few years we even had our own Williams’ Point Post Office.
At one time, there were two ice houses filled each winter with ice from our lake. The larger one was just west of the present horseshoe pits and the second one somewhere in the Shady Acres – Shady Bay area.
For a number of years, Church services were held in the pavilion and a well attended Sunday School was located in the Fisher cottage, now Duligals’. During those early years, many services were provided to us by the local grocers and two butchers and the Port Perry Dairy. For a while, ladies from the local churches would call with homemade baking. We were well looked after. This was a big help to the cottagers since most of the women stayed all summer at the lake (without cars) with their families and the husbands came down on weekends and occasionally some make it once through the week.
In those early years, the booth was run by members of the executive and for a few years we even had our own Williams’ Point Post Office.
At one time, there were two ice houses filled each winter with ice from our lake. The larger one was just west of the present horseshoe pits and the second one somewhere in the Shady Acres – Shady Bay area.
For a number of years, Church services were held in the pavilion and a well attended Sunday School was located in the Fisher cottage, now Duligals’. During those early years, many services were provided to us by the local grocers and two butchers and the Port Perry Dairy. For a while, ladies from the local churches would call with homemade baking. We were well looked after. This was a big help to the cottagers since most of the women stayed all summer at the lake (without cars) with their families and the husbands came down on weekends and occasionally some make it once through the week.
The first special weekend was held on August 1st, 1923 and was called “Field Day”. There were races, ball games and a corn roast and raffle for dressed dolls made by the ladies. These days continued in much the same manner until the 1950’s when they became annual events held on Labour Day Weekend, and became “Fun Days’. These were exciting weekends with something for everyone, regardless of age. We had golf tournaments, races, dances and stage shows with live music, lucky draws, corn roasts, dress up balls and great costume parade with unbelievable floats led by the Bowmanville Training School Boys’ Band as well as majorettes. There was even a bugle call bright and early in the morning, encouraging everyone to get up and out for another busy day!
A large stage was built on the north side of the pavilion (#1 tee) and talented cottagers and friends provided great entertainment: solos, stand up comedy, clowns and Williams’ Point Dancing Girls! Our dress up balls were always a highlight with fantastic costumes and super music.
Over the years some events have ceased, but other new events have been added such as: Pancake Breakfast, Horseshoe Tournament, Penny Auction, Children’s Crafts, 50/50 Draw, Silent Auction, Bingo Games, Golf Tournament, Races and Saturday Night Dance.
Mention of the big dance brings back memories of all the fine musicians we have fortunately had as cottager over the years, and who have so willingly contributed to our dances and other forms of entertainment.
As far as we know, this all started in the 1920’s and 1930’s. For summer dances, orchestras from Oshawa and district were hired to supply the music. It is said that the men attended these dances in white flannels – real ‘dressed up’ occasions. For several years there was a Juke Box in the pavilion for the young people’s pleasure.
Over the years the hard working executives’ have promoted many different weekend activities. Pot luck suppers of the past were last year enhanced with the addition of a pig roast to the delight of our members. Other activities have included boat races, dog shows, a cottage fair, yard sales, bake sales and even a Gab and Craft which was a different craft lesson each week and ending the season with a pot luck luncheon.
A large stage was built on the north side of the pavilion (#1 tee) and talented cottagers and friends provided great entertainment: solos, stand up comedy, clowns and Williams’ Point Dancing Girls! Our dress up balls were always a highlight with fantastic costumes and super music.
Over the years some events have ceased, but other new events have been added such as: Pancake Breakfast, Horseshoe Tournament, Penny Auction, Children’s Crafts, 50/50 Draw, Silent Auction, Bingo Games, Golf Tournament, Races and Saturday Night Dance.
Mention of the big dance brings back memories of all the fine musicians we have fortunately had as cottager over the years, and who have so willingly contributed to our dances and other forms of entertainment.
As far as we know, this all started in the 1920’s and 1930’s. For summer dances, orchestras from Oshawa and district were hired to supply the music. It is said that the men attended these dances in white flannels – real ‘dressed up’ occasions. For several years there was a Juke Box in the pavilion for the young people’s pleasure.
Over the years the hard working executives’ have promoted many different weekend activities. Pot luck suppers of the past were last year enhanced with the addition of a pig roast to the delight of our members. Other activities have included boat races, dog shows, a cottage fair, yard sales, bake sales and even a Gab and Craft which was a different craft lesson each week and ending the season with a pot luck luncheon.
Since the day it was built, the pavilion and golf course have been the focal point or meeting place of William’s Point. Hundreds of young people have congregated at the ‘booth’, sitting on the steps or benches, even at times doing a little craving of initials. As mentioned earlier, golf tournaments started back in the early 1920’s and are still going strong. We now have the Frank Denyes Golf Tournament and a Kids Tournament as well as a Fishing Derby for the kids.
We can even boast of having some well known personalities in our midst. Those that come to mind are cottage owner Eric Silk who became Crown Attorney, David Crombie, former Mayor of Toronto and who with friends, camped just to the north and east of the golf course. Mr. Jack Tate, who in the early years was a well known runner for Canada’s Olympic Teams and following in his footsteps, his grandson, Mr. Paul Williams and his wife – more recently, both have been runners on Canada’s Olympic Track Teams.
Through the efforts of the W.P.C.A. and the membership fees paid, we have been able to maintain the booth, golf course and park. Expenses have greatly increased so it’s important that we keep paying our membership dues in order to maintain all the events and great things Williams’ Point has to offer.
We hope these stories will bring to mind some personal memories and show you how things have developed over the years. Williams’ Point is still and always has been a great place to be and we owe a great deal to our original founders for getting it all started as they did and for our current executive who keep it going and expand on it every year.
We can even boast of having some well known personalities in our midst. Those that come to mind are cottage owner Eric Silk who became Crown Attorney, David Crombie, former Mayor of Toronto and who with friends, camped just to the north and east of the golf course. Mr. Jack Tate, who in the early years was a well known runner for Canada’s Olympic Teams and following in his footsteps, his grandson, Mr. Paul Williams and his wife – more recently, both have been runners on Canada’s Olympic Track Teams.
Through the efforts of the W.P.C.A. and the membership fees paid, we have been able to maintain the booth, golf course and park. Expenses have greatly increased so it’s important that we keep paying our membership dues in order to maintain all the events and great things Williams’ Point has to offer.
We hope these stories will bring to mind some personal memories and show you how things have developed over the years. Williams’ Point is still and always has been a great place to be and we owe a great deal to our original founders for getting it all started as they did and for our current executive who keep it going and expand on it every year.