Postcard Memories is a weekly series of historic postcard views and photos submitted by Marcel Rousseau.
Some were previously published by the Orillia Museum of Art and History and in the book Postcard Memories Orillia.
Information on Fern Resort’s web page tells us that in 1867, a log cabin built on fern-covered rocks, inhabited by a hermit, was known as Fern Cottage by the area residents.
After the hermit’s death, the McBain family built their home on the same site. Starting in 1895 the McBain family cleared two campsites to lease to summer vacationers and the next year, Mrs. McBain moved her 11 children into the large attic and rented out their three bedrooms at $6 per person per week including food.
The family continued to cater to summer tourists and in 1906 built a three-storey building with 21 rooms to rent, requiring a staff of nine.
In 1915 the McBain family moved to town and leased the resort to the Kenny family. Three years later it was taken over by Mr. and Mrs. Pettapiece and their three children and by 1920 Fern Cottage had been transformed into one of the most popular holiday resorts in Ontario.
The descendants of the Pettapeice family still continue to operate the resort today.
This undated postcard published around 1920 by the R.O. Smith store in Orillia shows several ladies and children enjoying the waterfront. The boat is named “Helena.” The lady on the dock with the white blouse resembles Mrs. Pettapeice who would be there to overlook the safety of her guests.
