Episode 21: More Stories of Algonquin Park Full Time Residents

ALGONQUIN DEFINING MOMENTS

Episode 21: More Stories of Algonquin Park Full Time Residents

In this episode I continue my sharing of stories that I have collected about the lives of Algonquin Park full time residents. First are stories about the The Dufonds and Dennison’s who farmed in the area before it became a provincial park. Then are some amusing anecdotes from Robert Taylor about his grandfather William McCourt who was the station agent for Rock Lake Station from 1897 until well into the 1940s. The adventures of Billie Baulke who lived as a care taker first for the Fleck’s of J. R. Booth’s railways fame and later was the anchor for Rock and Whtiefish Lake leaseholder residents are recounted Lastly are a few stories about Stuart Eady and his wife Beulah who resided on Rock Lake in the 40s and 50s. Eady was a park ranger and Beulah a key community member.

Key sources for this episode come from Audrey Saunders The Algonquin Story, my own research for my book Rock Lake Station, S. Bernard Shaw’s Lake Opeongo and Rory MacKay’s Algonquin Park - A Place Like No Other. Except for Shaw’s Lake Opeongo, all of these titles are available from the Friends of Algonquin Park in-person and online bookstores. www.algonquinpark.on.ca.

The musical contribution of Tom Thomson and the Seasons of Algonquin is from the Wakami Wailers 2017 album Un, Deux, Trois ...Four. The Wakami Wailers are a frequent visitor and entertainment at the annual Logger’s Day celebrations. To hear more of their songs from the Canadian landscapes check out www.wakamiwailers.com.