Capstan Inn, Wasaga Beach, Ontario, 1934

Archive

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Town of Wasaga Beach

Name/Title

Capstan Inn, Wasaga Beach, Ontario, 1934

Entry/Object ID

2020.802.89

Scope and Content

Photograph

Context

In the picture, a close-up view of the Capstan Inn is shown with several trees and cars parked in front of the Inn. The Capstan Inn was the first beachfront hotel built in 1911 by the McLean family and was located across from the Dardanella. The original Capstan Inn was destroyed by fire in 1915 and was rebuilt as depicted in this picture. The McLean family managed, built, owned, and operated hotel establishments in Wasaga Beach circa 1910 to 1960. After managing the Ivandale Hotel on the Nottawasaga River at Wasaga Beach, John and Sarah Ann McLean purchased land on the beach in 1911and built the first beachfront hotel at Wasaga Beach, the Capstan Inn. The hotel was destroyed by fire in March, 1915 and was quickly rebuilt and reopened on July 1st, 1915. In 1919, John and Sarah bought an adjacent lot and their oldest sons, James Alexander "Sandy" and Wilson Hugh McLean built the Dardanella Dancehall. Also in 1919, Dan McLean, their third son and his wife Lora built the Wasaga Inn and operated it until 1945. Sarah Ann & John ran the Capstan Inn until her death in 1931 when Wilson Hugh McLean and sisters, Pearl and Iva operated the hotel. In 1945, the sisters sold their shares in the hotel to Wilson who operated the Capstan until his retirement in 1958. Wilson "Red" McLean, Sandy's son and John and Sarah's grandson, and his wife Lorraine built the Breakers in 1931 and bought the Nottawa Inn in 1944. Wilson sold the Nottawa Inn in 1960. The Nottawa Inn was eventually torn down when Provincial Park, Beach Area 1 was created. The photos contained in the Garvey collection were photographed and developed by Frank Garvey, Maple Leaf Film Service. Frank arrived in Wasaga Beach in 1929 and opened his photography business operating from two tents on the beachfront. In 2000, the collection was donated to the Archives by Judy Garvey.

Acquisition

Accession

2020.802

Source or Donor

Judy Garvey

Acquisition Method

Gift

Dimensions

Height

2-3/4 in

Width

3-3/4 in