Camp Mazinaw Boys Camp - Mazinaw Lake
Canoe Regatta - unknown date
Camp Mazinaw opened in the 1940s and was located immediately south of the current Bon Echo Provincial Park on the old Highway #41. Initially it was a 6 week camp for 60 boys and was in operation for about 50 years.
The founder was PK Hambly who purchased 3 separate properties and opened the camp in 1940 during the war. Times were tough so cutting lumber supplemented the camp income. The original Hambly cottage is now part of Paul and Martha McLean's home.
The highly respected camp made a significant impact on many of the boys lives. Several notable men have fond memories of their summers at Camp Mazinaw. One of the most recognized campers would be Steve Paikin (The Agenda with Steve Paikin) Jim Smart- former owner of Smart's Marina was a cabin mate with Steve.
The boys instruction was of paramount importance. In 1946 Fred Hagan was appointed Arts & Craft Instructor at Camp Mazinaw and later taught at the Ontario College of Art in the 1950s and 60s. With his knowledge of art and crafts he built much of the furniture in Lodge. In 1951 Fred Hagan painted several painting of the Mazinaw the same year as Casson. It is unknown if they painted together.
Three men ran the camp until the 1970s (Hambly, Reginaud Blackstock 'Blackie' and Harry Hull). Blackie was famous for his canoeing expertise. He instructed at Pinecrest YMCA Camp prior to coming to Camp Mazinaw. He also was a teacher at Pickering College.
In the 1950s there were some financial problems and some lots were sold. The men were better teachers than businessmen and financing was sometimes difficult.
Brian Blackstock and Paul McLean eventually took over running the camp. Hambly died in 1976 and McLean purchased Hambly's shares in the camp. Blackie died in 1978 and Brian Blackstock inherited Blackie's shares. Harry Hull was a silent partner- he enjoyed being at Camp Mazinaw. In 1987 Paul and Martha McLean ran the camp and purchased the remaining shares from Harry Hull. By 1990 most of the Lodge was torn down.
Much of the above information was obtained from an interviews with Paul and Martha McLean in July 2008 and Jim Smart in August 2008.
Part of the Bon Echo Provincial Park Album
Note: Commercial use of this image is prohibited without CDHS permission. All CDHS Flickr content is available for personal use providing our Rights Statement is followed:
Camp Mazinaw Boys Camp - Mazinaw Lake
Canoe Regatta - unknown date
Camp Mazinaw opened in the 1940s and was located immediately south of the current Bon Echo Provincial Park on the old Highway #41. Initially it was a 6 week camp for 60 boys and was in operation for about 50 years.
The founder was PK Hambly who purchased 3 separate properties and opened the camp in 1940 during the war. Times were tough so cutting lumber supplemented the camp income. The original Hambly cottage is now part of Paul and Martha McLean's home.
The highly respected camp made a significant impact on many of the boys lives. Several notable men have fond memories of their summers at Camp Mazinaw. One of the most recognized campers would be Steve Paikin (The Agenda with Steve Paikin) Jim Smart- former owner of Smart's Marina was a cabin mate with Steve.
The boys instruction was of paramount importance. In 1946 Fred Hagan was appointed Arts & Craft Instructor at Camp Mazinaw and later taught at the Ontario College of Art in the 1950s and 60s. With his knowledge of art and crafts he built much of the furniture in Lodge. In 1951 Fred Hagan painted several painting of the Mazinaw the same year as Casson. It is unknown if they painted together.
Three men ran the camp until the 1970s (Hambly, Reginaud Blackstock 'Blackie' and Harry Hull). Blackie was famous for his canoeing expertise. He instructed at Pinecrest YMCA Camp prior to coming to Camp Mazinaw. He also was a teacher at Pickering College.
In the 1950s there were some financial problems and some lots were sold. The men were better teachers than businessmen and financing was sometimes difficult.
Brian Blackstock and Paul McLean eventually took over running the camp. Hambly died in 1976 and McLean purchased Hambly's shares in the camp. Blackie died in 1978 and Brian Blackstock inherited Blackie's shares. Harry Hull was a silent partner- he enjoyed being at Camp Mazinaw. In 1987 Paul and Martha McLean ran the camp and purchased the remaining shares from Harry Hull. By 1990 most of the Lodge was torn down.
Much of the above information was obtained from an interviews with Paul and Martha McLean in July 2008 and Jim Smart in August 2008.
Part of the Bon Echo Provincial Park Album
Note: Commercial use of this image is prohibited without CDHS permission. All CDHS Flickr content is available for personal use providing our Rights Statement is followed: