Reflections of Bracebridge Heritage Mural

To commemorate Bracebridge’s 125th anniversary in the year 2000, the Town of Bracebridge proudly commissioned artist Mary Thrane to create a stunning mural that captures the essence of our community. This vibrant masterpiece illustrates the town’s remarkable growth and evolution while celebrating the beloved aspects that make Bracebridge truly unique.

The mural honors and highlights the contributions of community groups, iconic landmarks, local infrastructure, sports and recreation, innovation, and industry. It also pays tribute to the key businesses and individuals whose dedication has shaped our town’s identity. From our earliest days to the present, this artwork reflects the vibrancy and resilience of Bracebridge, showcasing a legacy of achievements and milestones.

Through dynamic imagery and heartfelt storytelling, the mural celebrates Bracebridge's unique spirit—a blend of heritage, community, and enduring connections. It serves as both a tribute to our rich past and a beacon of inspiration for our future, embodying the thriving spirit that continues to define our town.

About The Artist

Mary Thrane was a Bracebridge artist. She was commissioned as part of the 125th anniversary celebrations for Bracebridge to create this particular mural. Anglican Church Hall. The mural took more than a year to complete.

Historic Breakdown

The following historic breakdowns are shared courtesy of Kenneth Carman Veitch, whose research and knowledge have contributed greatly to the preservation of local history.

1. The Bracebridge Fall Fair is almost as old as the town itself, with its first event held in 1874. In fact, it predates Bracebridge’s official designation as a village in 1875, though the name “Bracebridge” had been used for the local post office in the pioneer community of North Falls since 1864. From its earliest days, the Fair provided a joyful gathering place for settlers to celebrate their accomplishments and featured parades of local schoolchildren. Over the years, it has grown and thrived, remaining a cherished community tradition.

2. The Bracebridge Fall Fair has been held in several locations over its long history. Early venues included the riverbank where Taylor Road meets Hiram Street, across from Bracebridge Public School, and the Muskoka Linen Mill / Muskoka Foundry / Simply Cottage property on Entrance Drive. In 1885, the event moved to Jubilee Park, where it remained until 1991, when it found a permanent home at the James D. Lang Activity Park.

3. The James D. Lang Activity Park was established as a permanent home for the Bracebridge Fall Fair, Muskoka Pioneer Power, and other entertainment events. Since opening in 1991, it has been a popular venue for numerous major events each year. The Park is named in honour of James D. Lang, who served as Bracebridge Mayor for 19 years after many years on council. His vision and leadership guided the Park’s development, ensuring a lasting community space despite initial opposition.

4. The bandshell in Memorial Park, built in the late 1920s, replaced an earlier structure and became the home of the Bracebridge Citizens Band. This renowned local orchestra entertained the public for many years through parades, events, and competitions, under the long-time leadership of Bandmaster John (Giovanna) Morra. This bandshell was then replaced in 2025 by what stands in the park today.

5. Bracebridge is a key stop along the Trans-Canada Trail and is home to the Muskoka Aquatic Club, which has operated from the Bracebridge Centennial Centre since 1975. The Centre, featuring a swimming pool and auditorium, was built to celebrate the town’s 100th anniversary of municipal incorporation.

6. Starting as a small gathering of local artisans, the Muskoka Arts & Crafts Summer Show has grown into one of Ontario’s premier cultural events. Since the early 1980s, it has been held at Annie Williams Recreational Park, attracting participants and thousands of visitors from across the province and beyond. Its roots trace back to Memorial Park in downtown Bracebridge.

7. From the 1890s onward, numerous luxury resorts were established along the shores of Lakes Muskoka, Rosseau, and Joseph. Some, such as Bangor Lodge in Bracebridge, introduced golf to the region, a sport that quickly gained popularity and continues to thrive today. While many original resorts have disappeared due to closure or fire, some golf courses remain as a lasting legacy of this era.

8. Sports have played an important role in Bracebridge’s history. Organized baseball dates back to 1886, and lacrosse became a dominant sport for several years, with Bracebridge teams winning numerous provincial and national championships. In the 1930s, the opening of a roofed skating arena on the Muskoka River led to hockey becoming the town’s primary sport. Bracebridge has produced several National Hockey League players, including “Ace” Bailey, Bill Carson, Frank Carson, and Roger Crozier, as well as semi-professional athletes like Clarence “Moose” Jamieson and others. Local teams, such as the Bracebridge Bears Intermediate Hockey Team and various minor hockey squads, have proudly earned provincial titles, continuing the town’s strong sporting tradition.

9. The "Silver Bridge" was built in the 1930s as part of the Ferguson Highway, later known as Provincial Highway #11. Along with the nearby falls, it has long been an iconic symbol of Bracebridge and is one of the most photographed landmarks in Muskoka. In an effort to lift spirits during the difficult years of the late 1930s, coloured lights were added to the bridge. These lights have remained ever since, including a large illuminated “V” for victory during World War II.

10. a) Baseball – The first organized team sport in Bracebridge was baseball, with the inaugural game played in 1886 on a field that later became Jubilee Park. The park went on to serve as the home field for fastball and cricket teams for over a century. One of the earliest players was the son of George Dowler, owner of a local match factory. Bracebridge teams have captured numerous Ontario championships across various age groups and three Eastern Canadian Championships. Notably, pitchers Todd Martin and Mike Crawford, graduates of the Bracebridge Minor Ball program, went on to represent Canada internationally, including at the Pan American Games, and played professionally in North America, Europe, and Australia.

l0. b) Hockey – The Bracebridge Memorial Community Centre, opened on February 1, 1949, was built in memory of local residents who served in the armed forces. It was the town’s fifth covered skating facility and the first in Muskoka with artificial ice. Hockey legend Roger Crozier began his goaltending career here, later leading the St. Catharines Tee Pees to a Memorial Cup Championship. Crozier went on to play for the Detroit Red Wings, winning the Calder Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year, being named to the NHL All-Star Team, and earning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP in the 1966 Stanley Cup. He also played for the Buffalo Sabres and Washington Capitals.

11. Bracebridge has produced remarkable athletes across many sports. Liisa Savijarvi became Ontario Champion through OFSAA in 1978, represented Canada in the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics (placing 9th in the Grand Slalom), was crowned Canadian Champion in Giant Slalom in 1983, 1984, and 1985, and Downhill Champion in 1987. In 1986, she won a World Cup race in Furano, Japan, placed second in a World Cup race in Austria, and finished second overall in the World Cup Super G standings. Her sister Amy also achieved remarkable success, winning the Canadian Juvenile Championship in Giant Slalom in 1982, Ontario Giant Slalom Championship in 1984, multiple medals in the 1984 Fleishman’s Cup of the Canada Cup Series, and Ontario Downhill Champion in 1985. She was a member of the Ontario Ski Team and Canadian Development Team and earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Colorado.

12. Bracebridge’s pristine winter conditions also nurtured the growth of curling. Starting on natural ice hockey rinks along the Muskoka River, the sport soon moved to a dedicated facility on “Hunts Hill” on Taylor Road in 1898. It later relocated to the “Yearley Rink” on James Street (which burned in 1943), then to a site across from the Memorial Community Centre with artificial ice, and finally to its current location on Golf Course Road in 1974. Curling bonspiels were celebrated events, featuring parades and banquets for participants.

13. The Muskoka River has played a vital role in Bracebridge’s history. It served as a transportation route for loggers to access timber upstream and deliver logs downstream to mills. The river provided hydraulic power, a reliable water supply, and in later years became a key recreational and tourism feature, exemplified by the “Lady Muskoka” cruise ship.

I4. The Rotary Club of Bracebridge has long contributed to community development. One of its major initiatives was the creation of the Rotary Centre for Youth, a home base for youth programs and a hub for many community activities.

15. The Evans Group of Companies has been a cornerstone of the local economy since the early 1950s. Its diverse operations—including golf course construction, residential development, architectural design, and road building—have employed thousands across Muskoka and beyond, making it one of the area’s most significant business contributors.

16. The settlement of North Falls, designated as a post office named “Bracebridge” in 1864, quickly became Muskoka’s commercial centre. General stores such as the District Exchange and the Golden Beaver Store provided essential supplies to early settlers. As the population grew, Bracebridge attracted national and international retailers, solidifying its role as the district’s primary business hub.

17. In the early 1950s, local entrepreneurs recognized the need for a major tourist attraction in Bracebridge. Situated on the 45th parallel, they envisioned a “Santa’s Village,” which officially opened in 1954. Features like “Santa’s Summer Ho-Ho-Home,” “Halfway Between the Equator and the North Pole,” Santa’s boat the “Chris Kringle,” and the “Candy Cane Express” quickly gained fame. By 1956, 107,000 visitors came to see Santa and his elves. Today, Santa’s Village remains a beloved Muskoka attraction, fulfilling the vision of its founders.

18. Top Centre:

Glen S. Coates – Businessman and Mayor of Bracebridge from 1956 to 1958.
E.W. (Ted) Reid – Businessman, Councillor, and Mayor of Bracebridge from 1959 to 1962.

19. Back Row (Left to Right):

William Cosby Mahaffy – Arrived in Bracebridge in 1877, established a law firm, and was appointed the first District Judge of Muskoka and Parry Sound in 1888.
Wilbert Richards – Businessman, Councillor, and Mayor of Bracebridge from 1932 to 1936; Municipal Clerk from 1936 to 1966; founding President of the Bracebridge Rotary Club; instrumental in forming the Muskoka Tourist Association and Muskoka Children’s Aid Society.
William Albert (Bus) Brazier – A popular figure at social events and parades as “Chief Musqua Ukee”; one of seven brothers who served in World War II, all returning safely.

20. Middle Row (Left to Right):

Redmond Thomas– Newspaperman and author of Reminiscences, a valuable history of Bracebridge; son of G.H.O. Thomas, Magistrate of Muskoka.
Rene M. Caisse – Known as “Nurse Caisse,” discoverer of Essiac, a native herbal tea used to alleviate suffering for cancer patients.
Scott N. Northmore– Long-time Deputy Sheriff for Muskoka and Mayor of Bracebridge from 1998 to 2006.
Frank S. Miller– Businessman, Member of Provincial Parliament for Muskoka-Parry Sound, Premier of Ontario, and Chairman of the District Municipality of Muskoka.
George A. Parlett – Businessman, Councillor, Mayor of Bracebridge from 1963 to 1975, and Chairman of the District Municipality of Muskoka.

21. Front Row (Left to Right):

Robert J. Boyer – Businessman, Member of Provincial Parliament, publisher of the Bracebridge Herald-Gazette, and historian and author of numerous books on Muskoka and Bracebridge.
A. Russ Black – Solicitor and Mayor of Bracebridge from 1995 to 1997.
James D. Lang – Businessman, Councillor, and Mayor of Bracebridge from 1975 to 1994.

22. Lower Centre of Group:

Kenneth C. Veitch– Municipal Clerk-Administrator for Bracebridge from 1967 to 1996 and respected local historian.

23. Murray Clarke – Chief Administrative Officer for Bracebridge from 1997 to 2007.

24. Limited space in the historic downtown shopping areas of small communities led to the development of “mall-style” retail facilities. Starting in the 1990s, the Bracebridge Shopping Centre and other large retail and accommodation developments expanded to the town’s perimeter.

25. Bracebridge is home to several notable towers, including the red brick hose tower from the original Town Hall (built in 1881) beside the Municipal Building (1958), the clock tower of the federal post office (1914), the bell tower of St. Thomas Anglican Church, and decorative cupolas on various retail buildings.

26. In 2000, Bracebridge celebrated its 125th anniversary as a municipality. Festivities included a book on the town’s history (1915–1999), stage performances, homecoming events, the restoration of the Memorial Park fountain, the creation of this mural, and a competition for the town’s official “Town Crier,” won by Bruce Kruger.

27. Bracebridge has benefited from numerous organizations providing community support and financial aid through volunteer work. Many held founding and regular meetings at “The Inn at the Falls” (formerly the Holiday House), a stone structure built by John Adair that became the home of William Cosby Mahaffy, the first District Judge of Muskoka and Parry Sound, in 1878.

28.Two local businesses exemplify Bracebridge’s tradition of long-standing family ownership. Northern (Buildal) Planing Mills, founded by George Tennant in 1925, celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2000. MacNaughtan’s (Home) Hardware, founded by Peter MacNaughtan in 1946, marked its 54th anniversary in 2000. Both have weathered economic changes while contributing as employers and supporters of the community.

29. Library service in Bracebridge began in 1874 as the Mechanics Institute. In 1908, the Carnegie Foundation funded a dedicated building, which became the Bracebridge Public Library. Subsequent enhancements, including the Patricia M. Boyer Children’s Library and the Robert J. Boyer Reading Room, continue to provide valuable services to the community.

30. From its earliest days, Bracebridge has been the commercial heart of Muskoka, home to a wide range of financial institutions. The first bank in the region, “Hunt’s Bank,” was established by local entrepreneur Alfred Hunt, reflecting the town’s early role as a hub of business and commerce.

31. In 1872, Henry J. Bird established a business that became central to Bracebridge’s economy for nearly a century. The Bird Woollen Mill employed thousands over the years, expanding into multiple buildings, including a warehouse constructed in 1918 for wool storage. Interestingly, this warehouse was first used to host a community dance celebrating the signing of the Armistice ending World War I. In 1991, the municipality purchased the building, which now serves as the Bracebridge Chamber of Commerce Visitor Centre and houses other local businesses.

Overlooking the mill, Henry J. Bird built his residence, “Woodchester,” named after his birthplace in England. This octagonal home included many innovative features for its time, such as a dumbwaiter, rainwater collection system, air ventilation shafts, and speaking tubes. Restored by the Bracebridge Rotary Club in 1978, it was later donated to the municipality for community use.

32. In 1894, W.S. Shaw, co-owner of the Anglo-Canadian Leather Company, constructed a hydraulically operated electrical generating station to power his tannery. Recognizing the potential of this new technology, Bracebridge Municipal Council purchased the plant in 1896, making the town the first municipality in Ontario—and possibly Canada—to own an electrical facility. Demand quickly outgrew the original plant, leading to the construction of a larger generating station at the bottom of Bracebridge Falls in 1903. Shaw’s building was then converted into a municipal water pumping station.

33. Bracebridge’s downtown area features many unique landmarks, including the ornate fifteen-foot fountain in Memorial Park. Funded by Bracebridge Public School students in 1900 to honor two young men who died in the Boer War, the fountain eventually fell into disrepair. Thanks to the efforts of Art and Brenda Cox—whose grandfather, G.H.O. Thomas, helped the students with their fundraising—the fountain was saved. It was later fully restored as part of Bracebridge’s 125th-anniversary celebrations and returned to its original location.

34. Another distinctive feature is the covered bridge in the “Covered Bridge” residential subdivision. Built in 1990, it is one of the few covered bridges in Ontario and likely the only curved covered bridge in Canada, designed to accommodate both a subdivision entrance road and the trout stream it crosses. While modern in origin, it adds charm and character to the community.

35. During the incentive-rich era of the 1960s and 1970s, several multinational manufacturing companies established operations in Bracebridge. While some moved on when their incentive agreements expired, many buildings were quickly repurposed by new owners, ensuring the continuation of successful local businesses and maintaining the town’s role as a regional economic centre.

36. Bracebridge became a preferred location for specialty destination retailers and manufacturing businesses. Bus tour companies from across the region included the town in their itineraries, and these specialty outlets quickly became favorite stops for visitors.

37.

Rich Hill Candles Inc. – Known for its colourful displays and delightful aromas, a popular stop for visitors.
Maple Orchard Farms – Offered a variety of Canadian maple syrup products with creative packaging. The company ships internationally and has even produced promotional items for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

38.

The Factory Store – Another popular specialty retail destination.
KKJ Graphics – Served the local business community with professional printing and graphic services.

39.

Muskoka Transport – Grew from a small haulage company with a single truck into a large, coast-to-coast operation, supporting Muskoka’s manufacturing sector.
Hammond Transportation – Established by the respected Hammond family of Bracebridge, initially providing school bus services, later expanding into a successful tour coach division.

40. In 1996, two young entrepreneurs launched Lakes of Muskoka Cottage Brewery, a craft brewery that quickly gained popularity and national recognition for its award-winning products.

41. Donald G. Coates, with support from local investors, started Muskoka Containerized Services with a single packer truck to collect and dispose of residential waste in Bracebridge. The company rapidly expanded to serve all of Muskoka and later introduced a state-of-the-art composting facility, pioneering modern waste management solutions in Ontario.

42. To support residents and cottagers on Lakes Muskoka, Rosseau, and Joseph, a barging business was developed. This service facilitated the construction and maintenance of seasonal properties, reflecting Bracebridge’s dedication to meeting the needs of both its residents and visitors.