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The Magnetawan Township Nostalgia Page

Magnetawan, Ontario, Canada

1885 -1886

Old Swing Bridge

Photograph provided by Wilma Coombs - Description by Ken Raaflaub

View from downstream, the swing bridge constructed circa 1885-86 permitted the steamboats to proceed from

the locks to Ahmic Harbour. The present bridge, built in 1924 ceased its swinging function in 1976

circa 1900

Old Lighthouse on Lake Cecebe

Photograph provided by Wilma Coombs - description by Ken Raaflaub

The Lighthouse was located a short distance above the locks to guide the steamers into the river channel.

After an absence of many years, a replica was built in the late 1990s and can be seen from Hwy 520 near the Distress River

circa 1906

Steamboat Armour

Photograph provided by Wilma Coombs - description by Ken Raaflaub

Pictured leaving Burk's Falls on its run to Magnetawan and Ahmic Harbour.

The Armour grossed 191 tons and was the largest of the steamers to ply the Magnetawan River.

circa 1910

Birds Eye View

Photograph provided by Wilma Coombs - description by Ken Raaflaub

Looking south, the locks are at the left, Marina and Anglican church center

United Church and Troyer's store farther right

1910

Magnetawan Post Office

Photograph provided by Wilma Coombs - description by Ken Raaflaub

Situated on the West side of North Sparks Street, this building housed the Post Office, telephone switchboard and

residence for the Mac Millan family for many decades until it was destroyed by fire in the early 1950s.

circa 1910

Snugg's Store

Photograph provided by Wilma Coombs - description by Ken Raaflaub

Harry Snugg's Store was located immediately at the South end of the swing bridge. The cement steps

which led to the front door are still between the sidewalk and the parking lot at the docks. It was torn down in the 1940s.

1918-1919

Spence Country School - Grades 1 through 6

Photograph with names provided by Ken Raaflaub

Circa 1921

First Class at No.6 Chapman School (Miller School)

Photograph and names provided by Wilma Coombs

Circa 1935

Magnetewan School Senior Room

Photograph and names provided by Reta Morris

1940

Magnetawan Marina

Photograph provided by Ken Raaflaub

The picture was most likely taken during the 1940s. The homes across the water on the right side of picture

belonged to Magnetawan families. The left home was owned by G.J. Grunig, long time School Principal and later

the village clerk. On the right was the Kennedy family home.

1943

Taylor's Inn and The J.W. Troyer Store

Photograph provided by Wilma Coombs - description by Ken Raaflaub

Pictured in March 1943, (individual unidentified). After many years in the Taylor / Fleming family and numerous

renovations, the "Magnetawan Inn Restaurant", under new management, is still satisfying appetites

and sweaters from the "Downtown General Store" have been photographed in many parts of the world

1943

M.S. Godfrey General Merchant

Photograph provided by Wilma Coombs - description by Ken Raaflaub

Located at the corner of Burrows and North Spark Streets, this store was

operated by the McNights, Godfreys and Shiers before it burned

1950

Spence Country School

Photograph provided by Ken Raaflaub

Typical rural schools served Grades 1 through 8. Occasionally as in the case of Magnetawan schools

they served Grades 1 to 10 as transportation to high schools was non-existant until after the 1940s.