Praise for Muskoka’s Main Street
If your forefathers settled in Muskoka and/or East Parry Sound, you should read or, at least, refer to Muskoka’s Main Street. This book may answer some questions in your genealogical puzzle or possibly open new avenues of pursuit. Well researched and well written!
– Wayne Cooper, Chair, Muskoka Parry Sound Genealogy Group
The Muskoka Road was a cruel path. It led those hoping for a new life into a life of struggle, and often failure. If they knew what they would be in for, these God-fearers might never have come up that road. But we thank God they did. A fascinating and entertaining new book.
– John Ibbitson, Ottawa Bureau Chief, the Globe and Mail and author of the Governor General Award-winning Muskoka novel, The Landing
Having been a road builder all of my life, I am delighted with Lee Ann Smith’s account of the road building pioneers of Muskoka. I stand in awe of the early builders who first opened the colonization routes into the District. Without any sophisticated equipment or machinery at their disposal, these hardworking, resourceful men triumphed in ways we can scarcely imagine today.
– Bruce Evans, Ontario road builder and President of Fowler Construction, 1971- 2005
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
The Muskoka Colonization Road was part of a dramatic collision when government ambitions and settlers’ dreams hit the unyielding bedrock of the Precambrian Shield. By weaving the influence of the natural landscape on human endeavour into her account, Lee Ann Eckhardt Smith provides us with a richer understanding of an important chapter in Muskoka history.
– Gary Long, historical geographer and author of This River the Muskoka
Lee Ann Smith engagingly tells the road’s 150 year history through the eyes of people who designed, built and travelled this primitive roadway. The book is a timely and valuable addition to the record of Muskoka’s storied past.
– Richard Tatley, Muskoka historian and author of The Steamboat Era in the Muskokas, Volumes I and II
What wonderful research! Muskoka’s Main Street gives every detail of this wonderful story of how Muskoka was first settled by way of its artery road. Lee Ann Smith has researched deeply to give the reader each and every section of the story. The book is an excellent reference for our museum and will be treasured by all who care about our history.
– Mary Storey, Volunteer Archivist, Muskoka Boat and Heritage Centre