TIMELINE
Early History
WOODLAND 100 - Through the Years
Events
Businesses
Beach businesses were created
From the 1920s to the 1980s, Woodland Beach had many successful businesses. The business area was fondly referred to as the “Main Drag”, as that’s where people came for sundries, fuel, both for cars and coal oils stoves, ice cream cones and entertainment. Ritchie’s General Store opened in the 1920s, providing not only fuel but a taxi service.
That store became Whitfield’s Beach Store in 1953 and is now the location of the Tiny Family Market (and LCBO/Beer Store). Whitfield’s was the destination of many families’ walks to get their huge ice cream cones!
Arwood Langman began the riding academy in the late 1920s, initially with the horses just tied to trees. Dawson Ansley helped Arwood built the stable. The Academy changed hands through the years with Milt Trace owning it from 1939-1945, Bill Webb from 1946 through the 1950s and then William Archer. In 1958 Mr. Archer was notified by Tiny Township that his permit, and that of all stable owners, would not be renewed. That ended the long happy summer tradition of horse rides around the beach area.
Next door to Whitfield’s, the Woodland Food Market was built and owned by Oscar Ough (who was also a summer Police Constable in the 1950s) and then changed hands to Jack Smith. Next door to the Food Market was Tee-Off Miniature Golf, built and operated by the Ivan Thomson and Oscar Ough.
Moving along, the Woodland Wonderbar owned by Bob and Rene Beamish who in addition to a soda bar and booths, had a machine to make corn dogs—so good. Mrs. Beamish also sold her homemade pastries. In the mid-1950s the Wonderbar property was sold to the Lantz family. Unfortunately Mr. Lantz passed away the same year but his wife, Frances and son David carried forward with their plans and rebuilt a modern restaurant named the Woodland Terrace. After some years, the seasonal restaurant was sold to Pres and Penny Wood and they opened it year-round, appreciated by the increasing number of permanent residents and winter visitors. The restaurant was sold in 1978 and the following year it burned down. The property was purchased by Bayshore Seniors’ Club.
Beside the Wonderbar Restaurant was the bowling alley and snack bar attached to Sunset Pavillion owned by Ben Whelan. In the 1950s the Tocher family purchased the property and renamed it the “Ship-A-Hoy”. This was the hub for talent nights, bingo and dances for young and old. Mrs. Tocher would entertain with her magic tricks and husband Jack was known for his bingo call “66-clickety-click” and he would willingly play the spoons. The Bayshore Seniors Club is now the owner of this property.
Around the corner from The Ship-A Hoy was Frank’s Grill — the tempting aroma of Frank’s homemade hamburgers with fried onions! This was always a popular spot when Konstantin F. Geleff opened his snack bar in 1948.
On the corner of Lawson Rd. and TBRS, in 2000 Don and Jean Hacock purchased the property and opened the Beach Frog grill and ice cream shop. While the property has changed hands several times since 2015, now the Woodland Beach Market, continues to provide a spot to stop and enjoy fries and/or ice cream.
Toward the water, at the bend, in the 1920s there was another general store initially owned by the Hunters, sold to the Kents and then sold to the Quinns. Mr. Quinn operated the store and associated cabins until approximately 1966, after which he rented the cabins until the store was purchased in 1986 by the Forsythes. The property is now a private residences.
Along Woodland Drive to the south were two more general stores, Culvers and further along, Ralph’s General Store. Both these stores provided much needed supplies, whether food or hardware. Ralph’s also had coal oil and gas pumps. Culver’s also rented cabins and Ralph Ough built a multi-dwelling rental cottage across from the store. Around 1956-58, Ralph built a ‘Coke Bar’ adjacent to the store, a 50’s style soda fountain initially run by his mother Connie. During this era many of the seasonal residents were without transportation and most often, the husband was working in the city and the wife and children staying at the cottage therefore making these local businesses very much appreciated.
As the years have passed and most of the businesses have closed, Woodland Beach is grateful to have the Tiny Family Market that now includes an LCBO/Beer Store franchise. The owners, John and Bonnie Cho and daughter, May, now have a thriving and welcomed business along the Main Drag!
Accommodations
In the early years, Woodland Beach had three popular lodges, Sunset Lodge, Belvedere Lodge and Grandview Lodge. In addition, there were several rental cottage businesses including Bluebird Cottages, Gar-Gay Cottages and beginning in the 1960s the Avoca/Antrim Court Tiny Shores Motel. Each of the general stores also had rental accommodations including Quinn’s, Culvers and Ralph’s.
Sunset Lodge was built in 1932, after Ben Whelan purchased lots from Jonathan Tripp. The lodge was located at the corner of Woodland Drive and Park Road. Cabins were built behind the lodge to accommodate guests and staff. In the late 1940s Ted and Kit McIntyre purchased the lodge, which was known for its high level of service. Families returned annually to enjoy their vacation time at Woodland. Kit McIntyre had a pet monkey which was a novelty for guests. In 1968 the Umlahs purchased the lodge for their summer home and since then it has been a private residence.
Belvedere Lodge was another very popular lodge owned by the Fishers. In 1936 the Fishers had a guest house with six bedrooms built, together with five small cabins and two privies. There was no electricity however Eleanor Fisher cooked and baked her wonderful food daily on a wood stove. Twenty-five to thirty people would stay at the Lodge and at times up to fifty people for dinners. Guests paid $25.00 weekly for accommodation and food—hard to imagine now! Their daughter Connie and husband Tom Kent bought Hunters General Store in the 1940s and in 1959 took over operating Belvedere Lodge. Later Connie continued to rent the main lodge building and lived in the adjacent home until her passing in 2008 at the age of 103. The property is now a private residence.
Grandview Lodge was built on property owned by Jesse Webster. In the 1940s the Gibson’s operated Grandview Lodge and its fifteen cabins. While it is not known when they sold the property, in 2007 the Trundou family purchased the property after having spent their vacation there and falling in love with the beach. Woodland Cedars Family Cottage Resort is located at 1985 TBRS.
Bluebird Cottages began in 1938 when Harold and Winn Nash bought property from William Tripp. There were fifteen one, two, four and five bedroom cottages added over the years. In addition, the Nash’s operated a taxi service transporting folks to and from Wasaga Beach, the Elmvale train station or bus depot. In 1955 the business was sold and is now a private residence.
Gar-Gay Cottages began in 1950, when Ivan and Hazel Thomson and their twins Garry and Gayle purchased Park Road property behind their cottage on TBRS. Initially two small cabins were built and used by family and shortly after more guest cabins were added, totalling seven in all. Grandpa Willie, a sign painter, painted the cottage signs as well as all the path signs along Woodland Beach. Guests returned annually for many years. Five cabins remain in the family, called B&G Cottages on Park Road.
Avoca/Antrim Court Tiny Shores Motel was built in the 1960s by Herman Jaeger at 1054 Lawson Road. Initially there were six housekeeping units. In the 1980s the property was sold to the Forsythe’s and renamed Antrim Court Motel. One of the units was incorporated into their house, leaving five units. Rooms ranged from $45.00 to $75.00. The Forsythe’s sold in 2002 to Sheila Nelson who owned it until 2015.
As mentioned earlier, Quinn’s, Culver’s and Ralph’s stores offered rental accommodation as well. In more recent years, there has been very few rental properties at Woodland Beach. Many earlier renters ended up purchasing and building their own cottages/homes as, like so many of us, the love of Woodland Beach stays with us.