1

By 1874 the campground committee decided that Grimsby would be the permanent site of this annual event but better accommodation was needed. In September of 1874 steps were taken to organize a company, to be called the Ontario Methodist Camp Ground Company and the park to be called the Ontario Methodist Camp Ground. The executive of the new company included Noah Phelps - president, John Bowslaugh - treasurer and B.C. Fairfield - secretary. The company purchased twelve and one half acres of property from John Beamer Bowslaugh and the land was divided into lots. The one-week camp was extended and the season ran from June until the end of September.

A STRICT CODE OF CONDUCT was drawn up:
-No liquor in keeping with the temperance origins.
-No "unseemly" language would be tolerated.
- A 10:30 p.m. nightly curfew except Saturday. Everyone was expected to extinguish lights and maintain quiet after curfew.
- Every resident was expected to attend religious services on Sunday.
- No sports, boat or train service on Sundays.
- No laundry was to be hung out on Sundays.

2

1876 Map of Grimsby Park.
1876
Grimsby Park

3

1876 map of Grimsby Park. This early map shows the first street names as well as the division of lots and significant community areas including the Auditorium.

4

Children on pathway in front of cottages in 1899.
1889
Grimsby Park, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

5

In 1875 the Ontario Methodist Camp Ground Company received its charter. One of the significant changes campers noticed were cottages in place of the tents. They were built by Edward W. Bowslaugh, owner of the Grimsby Planing Mill and brother of John B. Bowslaugh. The cottages were built in the board and batten tradition with the boards running vertically. The doors, windows, eaves and balconies were trimmed with "gingerbread" or fretwork, made using a fret saw. The decorative cottages were built on the original tent lots and as a result they were long and narrow (approximately 20 feet deep). They were so close that neighbours could shake hands while standing on their porches. This proved to be disastrous when fires occurred.

6

Cottage at Grimsby Park
1890
Grimsby Park, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

7

The Maples, home of the Hurlburt family of Toronto.
1907
Grimsby Park, Grimsby, Ontario, Canada

8

Residents of Grimsby Park were proud of their cottages and they kept them neatly painted. Flower gardens enhanced many of the summer homes. Cottages did not have street numbers, but were known by names chosen by the family. A few examples of names used were Fernside, McKinley Lodge, Two Orphans and The Maples.

9

Receipt, Payment
18 September 1877

10

Certificate, Share
28 July 1890

11

A limited number of shares were sold in the Ontario Methodist Church Camp Ground Property.

12

Lease dated August 25, 1884 from the Ontario Methodist Camp Ground Company.
25 August 1884

13

In September 1876, the Board of Directors approved a motion to change the title from a deed to a lease.

This is the cover to the Statutory Lease of Lot No. 2 on Victoria Terrace from The Ontario Methodist Camp Ground Company to Rev. Dr. Sutherland of Toronto. The lease commenced August 25, 1884 for 999 years.

14

Inside of lease to Rev. Dr. Sutherland in 1884.
25 August 1884