Name/Title
The Capstan Inn, Wasaga Beach, Ontario, 1933Entry/Object ID
2020.802.72Scope and Content
PhotographContext
In the picture, the Capstan Inn is shown with a sign in front of the building. Several trees and sand are in front of the inn pictured on the beachfront. The Capstan Inn was the first beachfront hotel built and was located across from the Dardanella. The Capstan Inn was built in 1911 by the McLean Family. 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. In 2000, the collection was donated to the Archives by Judy Garvey.Acquisition
Accession
2020.802Source or Donor
Judy GarveyAcquisition Method
GiftDimensions
Height
2-3/4 inWidth
4-1/2 in