Muskoka’s Main Street:
150 Years of Courage and Adventure Along the Muskoka Colonization Road

The Muskoka Road: this twisting, hilly, bone-jarring route through the “wild lands” of Muskoka and Parry Sound laid the foundations for today’s Highway 11. Built with courage and great optimism, the road led to land that broke the hearts and backs of many stalwart pioneers, even as it launched new townships and became one of the most successful of Ontario’s colonization roads. Muskoka’s Main Street describes the road’s 150-year history through the eyes of people who designed, built and travelled it, and who settled along its winding course to carve communities from raw bush.

Muskoka’s Main Street is a great story, told by a gifted writer who clearly loves telling it. The book is destined to be a “must-have” on the shelves of avid Muskoka readers.

— Susan Pryke, former Mayor of the Township of Muskoka Lakes and author of Huntsville: With Spirit and Resolve

Buy the Book

Purchase a copy of Muskoka’s Main Street here.

Read an Excerpt

Read an excerpt from Muskoka’s Main Street here.

Interactive Maps

Watch this dynamic evolutionary map as it traces the development of the road over time from its origins at Washago, to its tip in Nipissing Township. Or, explore the road as it exists today – virtually or in person – using this interactive Google map.

Muskoka and Parry Sound Districts

Learn more about spectacular Parry Sound, and why National Geographic Traveller Magazine names Muskoka as one of its “Best of the World” destinations.

Read the Reviews

Read what reviewers are saying about Muskoka’s Main Street here.

I’d love for you to share your thoughts about the book on Goodreads – you’ll need to sign in to your Goodreads account or sign up.

Personal Appearances

Find the details about readings, events and book launches here.

Book Club Visits

I’d love to spend an evening with your book club chatting about Muskoka’s Main Street. It’s fun, friendly, and free! Details are here. In the meantime, a reading guide for Muskoka’s Main Street, as well as an author Q&A, are available.