Bobcaygeon and the Kawartha Settlers Village – The Hub of the Kawartha Lakes and the Beefalo
The small Kawartha town of Bobcaygeon is but a mere nightly minutes from Toronto, in a rural lake filled regions. Pretty but unassuming it is not the kind of place that you would expect to be immortalized in a song… but it is! In their now iconic (by Canadian standards!) 1999 hit Bobcaygeon is the home of a police officer who find solace in its tranquility, recharging after a stressful time at work.
The Tragically Hip – Bobcaygeon
So I’m at your house this mornin’
Just a little after nine
‘Cause it was in Bobcaygeon where I saw the constellations
Reveal themselves one star at a time
This article should be read in conjunction with my post on the city of Lindsay.
Table of Contents
Geography
To the south of the Trent-Severn you will find the downtown and to the north the settlers museum.
For more information on the geography of the Kawartha Lakes, check out my post on the city of Lindsay.
A Brief History
For more information on the History of the Kawartha Lakes check out my post on the city of Lindsay.
Bobcageon
As previously town itself is rather unassuming, but a little more pretty then the average town in central Ontario. Incorporated as a village in 1876, it is built along the Trent-Severn Waterway Canal, its first lock dating from 1833.
Speaking of witch, you should hang around its waterfront. A boaters paradise, it looks its best in the summertime.
The downtown itself is quaint with a few stone buildings but there is really not much too it. Its main attraction is the settlers village. The towns growth was spurred by local businessman Mossom Boyd, and his lumber business (the third largest logging operation in Upper Canada at the time). He alse experimented with beefalo, which will be covered later. This local history of the town itself can be absorbed at the Boyd Museum, now also the home of the Boyd Arch and the Settlers Village to the north. Railway service into town operated until 1957.
Kawartha Settlers Village (Home to the Beefalo)
Located on the north side of the town, within its borders is the Kawartha Settlers Village, lying in the shadow of the local watertower. This is by far the best attraction in town and to my surprise it was dog friendly!!! So that was a bonus, as I rarely get to take my pooch into museums.
Once a family farm, the museum takes you through an authentic log village, of over 20 structures filled with artifacts ranging from 1830 – 1935, with several notable buildings such as a carriage house, a school, etc…
The first building is the Boyd Carriage House itself where you will find several authentic pieces.
The next building of note is the barn house. This building is home to an interesting display on the Beefalo experiment of Mr. Boyd. Although this experiment had been tried before in the USA, this was the first large scale Canadian breeding/research program and ran past his 1914 dearth into the 1960’s. The cross was desired to give cattle herds resistance to the harsh Canadian climate.
From here you wil have the change to peruse the inside of the typical settler home, with its interior decor and furnishings, the Duggan House.
You will also find a favourite of kids, the single cell village jail. It is located by the fire hall.
There is also a cute little church on site, the modest structure is worth a look!
As well as a schoolhouse.
Lastly, you should make your way to the fire hall, with its distinctive white tower and the adjoining general store.
Conclusion
Like for the police officer from the Tragically Hip song, this village is one that should bring you a level of respite from the big city life!
