LIFE AT MINERS’ BAY c. 1936, Part II

Bill Robinson admitted that his memory of his time at Miners’ Bay was incomplete, and he was “only able to remember important incidents”. While the memories are not specific, it would appear that his Father worked there for just two seasons. There is no hard evidence, but given other factors and evidence, it would appear that the family arrived in the fall of 1934, and left in the winter of 1936-1937.

He recalls going to the Miners’ Bay School, and likely attended for two winters. He correctly recalls that it was located “a mile away from the lodge”, where Lutterworth S.S. # 6 still stands. As there were “no more than a dozen farms and houses within walking distance … only 15 or 20 kids attended”. Apparently, except when the Gull Lake was frozen, the boys rowed part way. Bill had the opportunity to take over the job of starting the fire in the winter, and after getting permission from his parents, would arrive two hours early. While it paid little, he relished the responsibility and having been given a key and a position of trust.

Winter roads filled up with snow, and there were very few cars. “When one drove by, my brothers and I stopped… to watch”. Sometimes, “it took days to clear the roads of a heavy snowfall”. It appears that after the first winter, the Robinson family moved into “the main lodge, which was much better insulated”. This would have been the Winter House/Store building.

After describing a memorable Christmas, complete with a visit from Santa, Bill simply states “That winter Dad went to Toronto, and got a job as a car salesman… We left Miners Bay”. Bills memories give us an insight into life at Miners’ Bay over eight decades ago. The photo of the school, is from his collection.

Russ Wunker, February 2021