BLOG June 2021

Henry E. Gidley established a boat building company in Penetanguishene, Ontario in the late 1800’s. He built a wide range of boats from canoes, rowboats, sailing skiffs, scows, and small powered fishing boats. Gidley Boats also offered a line of pleasure craft, including the “Kittyhawk”, built for Wilbur Wright (of the famous “Wright Brothers”) who...

The Midland Boat and Canoe Company was listed among the merchants in a 1906 business directory. It was operated by W.H. Hacker and located at the foot of King St. in Midland, Ontario. Their biggest business was renting houseboats which they towed to permanent settlers scattered along the wilderness shores of Georgian Bay as back...