The pictures in this collection are comprised of images of The Georgian Bay Lumber Company, Moredolphton Club and Severn Lodge which all occupied the location at the north end of Gloucester Pool known as “Golden Beach” covering the years of c.1910-c.1965.

The Georgian Bay Lumber Company obtained cutting rights to the timber in the surrounding areas of Gloucester Pool, Six Mile Lake, Gibson Lake and the Upper Severn River in the mid 19th century and had a large sawmill at Port Severn. The golden Beach location was chosen for its’ strategic location to these four areas to locate a “winter logger’s camp”. The camp was active until the late 1800’s when the Port Severn Mill was struck by lightening and destroyed by fire. Shortly thereafter, a private fishing and recreational club from Pittsburgh, The Moredolphton Club purchased the site and operated for the next 30 years until moving to the Little Current area on Georgian Bay. In 1924-25, the property was purchased by two businessmen from Canton, Ohio and renamed Severn Lodge.

In the summer of 1928, a young Bill Breckbill, also from Canton came to work at he lodge for the season and fell in love with the area and Severn Lodge. In the fall of 1936, Bill and his father, John Breckbill purchased the lodge. Under the ownership of 4 generations of the Breckbill family, Severn Lodge expanded to become the largest resort on Gloucester Pool.

The photos in this collection are, for the majority, from the private albums of the Breckbill family or the guests of Severn Lodge, many returning for over 4 generations.

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