Boating on the Avon

Lake Victoria
The old boathouse
Steamboat Race
Regattas

Dragon Boats
Razzamajazz
Light Up The Night Kayaking
Boathouse boats

Lake Victoria

Victoria Lake was once owned by a syndicate of capitalists. They bought it in 1886 for $4000 and used it for private boating and swimming before the Parks Board purchased it for $10,000 in 1904. Whether public or private, Victoria Lake has hosted regattas, boat clubs, diving and swimming contests and offered a hangout for students playing hooky. In early days, its banks at one time were bounded by gorgeous evergreens, cedars, hemlock and elm. Brook trout and other fish were abundant in its crystal spring fed waters. That changed. As mentioned, the syndicate 1n 1886 purchased the lake from the owner, Mr. Mowat. The Victoria Lake Syndicate was composed of local capitalists headed by Malcolm Macfarlane, John Corrie, ( built Huron Bridge ), A. J. Bailey, Judge J. P. Woods and G. G. McPherson. This group was responsible for the newly structured dam after the old dam was washed out in the flood of 1883, and then was known as 'The Dam Syndicate'.

Circa 1912. Looking from the north shore to the boathouse on the south shore just above the dam. Source: Stratford-Perth Archives.

In 1904 the Parks Board after many negotiations purchased Victoria Lake, including all the land covered by water which also included all the ice and water privileges for $10,000.

The river was always a busy place. Boys would play hooky from school and catch crabs under the overflow of the dam as no one could see them there. There were boats on the river from the time the dam was first built by the Canada Company in 1832-1833 to creat "the millpond". The first organized club, The Stratford Boat Club, started in 1845 with just one boat. Members could use this boat obeying strict regulations for its use.

In 1864 a second group, The Avon Boat Club, was organized. This group kept the river clear of any obstructions. They built landings on both sides of the river and there was a charge of 5 cents one way. They organized regattas every year, both on Victoria Day and Dominion Day (July 1), which usually consisted of small oar propelled boats having been built by their owners. The Mayflower, the Jessica, the Merrimac, Swan of Avon, the Maple Leaf and Happy Jack to name a few. Source: Nancy Musselman; Adelaide Leitch, Floodtides of Fortune.

The Old Boathouse

2023 The present boathouse. Photo: Fred Gonder

Boat House Photo: Carole Hubard

Bath House on the right. Looking across the lake at the Baothouse. Photo: Vince Gratton

Stratford's original boathouse that burned in 1903 was replaced by the parks board in 1912 on the south side of the river just above the dam. A new bath house was also added on the north side of the Avon River, again just above the dam. In part, they were designed to help deflate the Canadian Pacific Railway's intent to run tracks along the shore of the Avon.

The history of the fight to save the land along the river can be seen here (see Veterans Drive) and in this flashback, The Park System: How Dr. Eidt Saved the Day.

In the summer of 1965, Ed Herr and Bruce Holmes leased the city's boat house . Jack Wilson had run the operation for a decade. They were not originally going for that kind of venture but they were interested in securing more on-water training for their sea cadets. Ed and Jack signed a five-year lease calling them to pay the parks board $825 a year. They also got $500 from the parks board for purchase of three paddle boats and 14 canoes. Thus, H and H boats became Stratford's newest business. At their own expense they painted and renovated the boathouse. Their commitment began from this point. (See plaque below). Source: text and pictures Dean Robinson's book 42 Wellington, The music and the memories 1929-1969.

Bruce Homes and Sybil Turford 1946

The Steam Boats and the Steam Boat Race

Steamboats came to the Avon River in about 1877, during a Victoria Day regatta. Initially, there were to be two entries: a 17-foot paddlewheeler, Firefly, owned by William Jeffrey, and a 12-footer, Dreadnaught, owned by D. Nichol. But it was an unexpected third entry, by a young man from Baden named Adam Beck. He and his boat, Water Lily, won the Victoria Day race, as well as a rematch in the following July. The young Mr. Beck later became Sir Adam Beck. (see Sr. Adam Beck Road). Picture and text: Thanks to Nancy Musselman

In 1887, a new steamer, City of Stratford, was used to transport passengers to different landings along the river. It was found the smokestack was too tall to pass under Waterloo Bridge. Council decided to pay $220 to raise the bridge as the steamer was an asset to the City.

Regattas

Boat regattas were another popular event held in the early 1900s. The first regatta was sponsored by the Fraternal Association and expanded from 1909 athletic day which did not include water activities. This classic picture shows a boat regatta in progress.

A regatta featured aquatic contests such as swimming races, boat races and greased pole contests and a duck hunt. These competitions followed by an illuminated parade of decorated boats usually canoes or rowboats, lit by Chinese lanterns. There were at least 8 regattas between 1910 and 1927. See more: Regattas by Carolynn Bart-Riedstra Stratford Perth Archives

Stratford-Perth Archives

Dragon Boats

The Stratford Dragon Boat Club was founded on April 8, 1997 by local paddlers with the help of the Rotary Club of Stratford . A dragon boat was purchased to start the club. On a cold windy April day in 1997, Rotary President Steve Monteith christened the "Rotary I" boat and the club was born. The inaugural year saw the Stratford Women's Dragon Boat Team make a strong impact on the Ontario Dragon Boat racing circuit. Teams of the Stratford Dragon Boat Club have attended Canadian club crew qualifying races, North American Club Crew Championships and World Club Crew Championships.

Photos: Fred Gonder

The Razzamajazz

In the beginning in 1990:

Shades of Mississippi riverboat jazz will echo up and down Stratford’s Avon River this summer. While there won’t be a large stern-wheeler sailing the Avon, the Stratford tourism department is set to acquire a 24-foot barge that will ply the river at least two nights a week, offering live jazz from a floating stage. Officials were hopeful that the barge would be seaworthy in time for the Festival opening June 1.

The project was organized by the tourism department and funded by the Stratford Hotel-Motel Association. The barge cost $1,000 with the other $2,000 needed for safety equipment such as lifejackets, advertising and promotion. Northwestern secondary school students volunteered to install a new floor, railings and carpeting on the barge. The board of parks management approved the jazz barge and special approval was given because a city bylaw prohibited operation of motorized craft on the Avon, except for the H.M.S. Pinafore (now the Juliet III) tour boat and a few electrically-powered paddle boats. The main act was "39 Casino Band", who volunteered their time. Source: Stratford-Perth Archives See more about its history. The HMS Razzamajazz

Light Up The Night, Kayaking Photos: Fred Gonder

Christmas Photos: Fred Gonder

Canada Day Photos: Fred Gonder

Boathouse Boats

Photo: Fred Gonder