Name/Title
"Wasaga" Where have all the cars gone of long, long ago? by John McLean, The Toronto Sun, August 3, 1973Entry/Object ID
2020.67.1Scope and Content
Newspaper ClippingContext
The newspaper article is written by John McLean, staff writer for the Toronto Sun, August 3, 1973, grandson of Sarah Ann McLean.
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 article describes life at Wasaga Beach during John's grandmother's era and includes stories and recollections from John. In the photograph, vintage cars are seen parked and driving on the beach. The photograph is titled, "This is what Wasaga Beach looked like on the August Bank Holiday weekend of exactly 40 years ago - in 1933."Acquisition
Accession
2020.67Source or Donor
UnknownAcquisition Method
Gift