Name/Title
Nottawa Inn, Wasaga Beach, OntarioEntry/Object ID
2023.804.15Scope and Content
Postcard - Digital CopyContext
The Nottawa Inn was located on the beachfront east of the original Main Street, Wasaga Beach, toward the mouth of the Nottawasaga River.
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 postcard is glossy finish with a 0.25" white border. On the back of the postcard "MAPLE LEAF FILM SERVICE WASAGA BEACH" is stamped in blue ink. There is residual black paper on the back of the postcard indicating it may have been removed from a photo album.Acquisition
Accession
2023.804Source or Donor
Deanna AdamsonAcquisition Method
GiftDimensions
Height
2-3/4 inWidth
4-1/2 in
