Scenery of Muskoka
Happy New Year and welcome to 2026!
This month, we are featuring a selection of photographs that highlight Muskoka’s landscape. Muskoka has been photographed since the late nineteenth century, and these images represent only a fraction of our collection that document its long visual history.
Curator: August Stein
Ferndale Bay, 1896
This photograph, taken in 1896 at Ferndale Bay, offers a striking glimpse into Muskoka’s winter past. The fog rising off the water on the left speaks to the extreme cold typical of the era. On the right, nestled among the trees, stands a newly constructed barn that is already facing one of its first major tests: the heavy weight of Muskoka’s winter snow.
This image captures not just a season, but a moment in the region’s early settlement history.
978.21.5
Ferndale House, 1896
From this photograph, we look across to the far side of Ferndale Bay, where Ferndale House stands. Taken in the spring of 1896, it offers a striking contrast from the previous photo.
While the earlier view highlighted steep hills and dramatic cliffs, this scene reveals gentler slopes and rocky outcrops that ease down toward the water. These landforms were shaped thousands of years ago by glaciation and glacial runoff, with their slow retreat leaving a lasting imprint on the Muskoka landscape we recognize today.
978.21.2
Bala Falls
This photograph captures Bala Falls, a quintessential Muskoka lakes view; a waterfall cut into the ancient rock of the Canadian Shield, surrounded by rugged outcrops and spanned by a bridge above. The Bala Falls mark the point where the western edge of Lake Muskoka flows into the Moon River.
Unlike the structures you might see there today, the bridge pictured here is built almost entirely of wooden beams. Bridges like this were common during the early settlement in the Muskoka region.
2019.2.5
“Beauty of Bala”
This aerial photograph of Bala captures how lakes and islands shape the distinctive Muskokan landscape.
Captioned “Surrounding Scenic Beauty of BALA,” it was taken for use on a postcard. Muskoka’s natural scenery was not only admired, but actively promoted as part of early twentieth century tourism. Images like this played a key role in marketing the region as a picturesque escape, helping to establish Muskoka’s reputation as a premier vacation destination.
2019.11.5
Near Bracebridge
This postcard’s aerial view overlooking an area near Bracebridge, captures the distinctive geography that defines the Muskoka region. Historically, postcards showcasing Muskoka’s natural beauty were widely produced and circulated, showcasing its iconic landscapes. It was this scenery of lakes, forests, and rugged terrain that made Muskoka an ideal destination for tourists and cottagers alike.
Although the imagery and landscape has changed over time, postcards continue to serve a promotional purpose for local businesses, including resorts and restaurants.
2019.14.9
