KAWARTHA LAKES-While many of the communities in the area formed as milling or commercial centres related to agriculture and forestry, Rosedale grew around the intersection of the Cameron Road (similar to modern Highway 35) and the Trent-Severn Waterway. It always has been the Gateway to Balsam Lake—a community where people travel to enjoy waterfront life. By the late nineteenth century, some families were beginning to have the time and resources to enjoy summer on the Kawartha Lakes. Rosedale was one of many communities where cottages began to spring up. One, located near the bridge, belonged to Fenelon Falls land surveyor James Dickson, an outdoor enthusiast whose ideas helped shape Algonquin Park. For generations, much of Rosedale’s economy has related to cottaging, tourism and lodges.
By the mid twentieth century, Rosedale was home to many lodges, as cottages were being built on Cameron and Balsam Lakes—all around the village. In that era, many visitors would drive up from the city to stay at a lodge for a few days or perhaps a week. Many families did not have a cottage of their own. Rosedale’s main street was home to gas stations, shops and restaurants—including those operated by the Beall Family (Club Balsam, later Balsam Resort), Hazel Miller and Bob Conkwright. The village’s bridge had a swing at the north end, to facilitate boats passing through—leading to many delays for motorists and boaters.
In 1962, the swing bridge over Rosedale’s river was replaced by a higher, fixed, concrete span, rerouting traffic slightly to the east. What was once village’s main street became a by-way—Bridge Street and the western end of Trent Canal Road. Rosedale was already a challenging place to operate a business. It was close to both Fenelon Falls and Coboconk, much of its population was seasonal, and would pass through larger centres on the way. Once these gas stations and stores found themselves off the beaten path, it was much more challenging to remain in business, and Rosedale’s old main street withered away in the decades that followed, as did many of the tourist lodges. Ever more seasonal visitors came to have their own cottages, rather than staying at a lodge.
Much as things have changed, Rosedale is still a community that centres on waterfront life. In recent decades, many old cottages have been improved and converted into year-round residences, alongside many former lodges and businesses. Where the swing bridge once stood, there is now a dock, while this stretch of the old main street has become a parking area for the boat launch. Rosedale still is the location where a main ground transportation artery meets the Trent-Severn Waterway, a starting point for many waterfront memories and a great place to watch sunsets over Balsam Lake.
This story is part of our partnership with Maryboro Lodge, The Fenelon Falls Museum and was written by Glenn Walker.
If you want to make a donation to the museum, you can e-transfer to: [email protected] or mail a cheque to :
Maryboro Lodge Museum
Box 179
50 Oak Street
Fenelon Falls, ON
K0M 1N0
