Explanations of environmental history and the research methodology employed preface the depiction of the highway construction. Details include a description of the road camps during the depression years of 1931 to 1934, the building phase, the situation after the depression, the advent of tourism to the area with its subsequent effect on the environment, and the development resulting from the highway construction.]]> Departments: Canadian Studies and Environmental Studies]]> This paper presents an historical overview of the two railway lines operating in the Haliburton area in the late 1880s, the Victoria Railway running from Lindsay to Haliburton, and the Irondale, Bancroft & Ottawa line running from Howland Junction to Bancroft.  Beginning with a look at the history and impact of railways in Canada, the history of Haliburton County, and railway construction in general, the author moves to an in-depth account of each line.

Construction information is documented along with details of financing, problems faced, and portraits of each stop along the way.  Finally, the impact of each railway on the social and economic lives of the communities and later history is presented. The report concludes with recommendations for future use of the abandoned lines in ways which would continue to impact positively on both social and economic prosperity.

]]> Departments: Canadian Studies and Environmental Studies]]>
It was intended that the data in the study be used by the HCDC as well as governments to inform how they will develop the arts sector in the area in future. The benefits and limitations of such a study, term definitions, and methodology are outlined at the outset and followed by data tables, conclusions, and suggestions for future research. The author's vision of the study as fitting into the bioregional philosophy is presented.]]> Department: Canadian Studies and Environmental Studies]]> Geography
Recreation & Tourism]]> Host contact: Brohm, Amy]]> Department: Geography]]> The paper outlines the history of the Dorset Tower from its conception in 1922 through its 1997 season. Beginning with a look at the causes of forest fires and the means of fighting them in the late 19th century and the organization of Ontario into districts to handle these events, the paper moves to a history of the construction of the Dorset Tower network in particular. Personal memories of the Dorset Tower and some of the towermen are included. With the erection of a new tower in 1967, a new age of tourism was begun but when control of the tower was moved to the MNR office in Bracebridge, problems surfaced. Some of these contemporary issues such as vandalism and financing are discussed as well as the work of the community to address and handle them. With the transfer of land to the township in 1997 and plans for the future, a new era was begun for the Tower.     

]]> Departments: Canadian Studies and Environmental Studies]]> Geography 
Recreation & Tourism]]>
Primarily, the case of the JCL trail shows that the presence of a strong and committed community based organization is vital to the successful creation of recreational trails. Without the support of local organizations, the construction, maintenance and upgrading of recreational trails is both economically and logistically impossible. Secondly, we found that a Town Council who recognizes and values the importance of trail development will be competent and capable to develop successful partnerships with community-based organizations. Town Councils must play the role of mediator between the volunteer base and the public in order to facilitate this cooperation. Thirdly, a community who recognizes the socio-economic benefits of developing recreational trails, especially those in areas that depend upon tourism and seasonally oriented activities, are more likely to house volunteers who are willing to donate their time and resources to community oriented activities, such as trail development and maintenance. Fourthly, landowners whose property is adjacent to public trails need to begin developing more flexible and cooperative attitudes with their local Town Councils. Private property owners have to start granting access to parts of their property to local Town Councils in order to foster the development of recreational trails for the community’s benefit. If not, communities will continue to experience the enclosure of common spaces that has become increasingly common. ]]> Host contact: Brogden, Peter]]> Department: International Development Studies]]> Host contact: Bates, Elva]]> Department: Geography]]> Host contact: Penfold, Joanna]]> Department: Environmental and Resource Science/Studies]]>
The results illustrate current usage patterns by local residents, as well as problems with current infrastructure in the community and barriers to active transportation. Survey results indicate that although some people walk or bike, most drive as a main form of transportation in the community. Active transportation requires linkages and connections in order to function, and distance presents significant problems for active transportation in a rural community. People would like to use the trails more often, but the availability and quality of the trails as well as sidewalks is a limiting factor to active transportation in the village. The survey findings show significant problems with the maintenance of current trails and sidewalks. Bike paths, sidewalks in the village fringes as well as a pedestrian bridge were some of the main improvements identified for making the area more conducive to active transportation.]]> Host contact: Shikaze, Sue]]> Department: Geography]]> Prefacing a look at the Bobcaygeon Colonization Road and its impact on the opening up of the areas of Haliburton and Minden, the paper presents background on the settlement and colonization of the areas looking at the way both the native population and the settlers considered the land and its use.

Colonization roads were those built during the fifteen years preceding Confederation and intended to be links from the lakefront areas to the interior parts of the province. The paper outlines the progression of settlement as the Bobcaygeon Road was begun in 1855-56 and as it expanded, stressing the social and economic changes that went along with expansion. Finally, the paper looks at Haliburton today focusing on the importance of tourism and the need to protect the natural beauty of the area.

]]> Departments: Canadian Studies and Environmental Studies]]> The focus of this paper is the Algonquin Golden Lake First Nation land claim being negotiated with the Ontario and Canadian governments at the time of writing. It sets out to provide information about the land claim based on documents from Golden Lake and the two levels of government.  The first section outlines the historical basis for the claim and proposes why negotiations with Golden Lake are necessary.  In the second section, the claim itself is examined within the context of ongoing negotiations with the governments of Ontario and Canada. The terms of the claim, the chronology of negotiations, what has been agreed upon to date, and some problems with the process are addressed.  Finally, the place of third party interests in, and public opinion about, the process are discussed.

]]> Departments: Canadian Studies and Environmental Studies]]> Working from the premise that the culture of a community is made up of people interacting in and with their environment, this paper attempts to uncover the spirit of the Haliburton area through community stories, a combination of oral history and storytelling.  The concepts of oral history and storytelling and their validity in shedding light on events is explored leading up to the relating of stories collected by the author in interviews with five long-time residents of Haliburton County.  These stories are presented as both informative and entertaining as they reveal life in the past.

]]> Departments: Canadian Studies and Environmental Studies]]>
This project examines the history of outdoor recreation in Southern Ontario, the history of Finnish immigration to Toronto, Ontario, and the history of the Lodge building and the people who have been associated with it from 1927 to the present. Archival research and personal interviews were conducted in order to collect numerous fragments of the Lodge's colourful past. The development around the Sunny Rock property also spawned an entire community of Finnish immigrants who flocked to the area and attempted to recreate there what it reminded them of in their native Finland. Some aspects of the Finnish village are examined here.]]> Host contact: Moore, Sally]]> Department: Geography]]> Study conducted as a strategic planning tool to be used by the Township of Minden Hills for future waste management planning activities for the municipality (November 2004). Draft copy also included (October 2004).

]]> Comments on condition of the five dams in the Bicroft tailings basin and on tailings disposal locations close to the old mill; suggested remedial measures.

]]> Bill 20 and land-use planning reform

]]> Departments: Canadian Studies and Environmental Studies]]> Host contact: Tuyten, Nicole]]> Department: Geography]]> Host contact: Prince, Jim]]> Department: Environmental and Resource Science/Studies]]>