Making Muskoka: Tourism, Rural Identity, and Sustainability, 1870-1920

At the turn of the twentieth century, Muskoka underwent a profound transition from a remote and isolated region to a popular tourist destination and wealthy cottage community. Making Muskoka explores the evolution of the region from 1870 to 1920, examining the impact of settler colonialism on Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee communities, the development of tourism, and the challenges faced by settlers in controlling the tourism economy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2023
Publisher: University of British Columbia Press

Muskoka, once a haven for nature enthusiasts and affluent cottagers, experienced a significant transformation at the dawn of the 20th century. This captivating documentary, titled "Making Muskoka," delves into the region's evolution from 1870 to 1920. During this period, settler colonialism disrupted the Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee communities, yet the land proved unsuitable for farming. Consequently, within the first generation of resettlement, tourism emerged as an integral part of daily life.

Andrew Watson, in his insightful analysis, explores various themes, including rural identity, the conflicts between large- and household-scale logging operations, and the profound impact of consumer culture and the global shift toward fossil fuels on the settlers' ability to shape the tourism economy after 1900. "Making Muskoka" unveils the lived experiences of rural communities shaped by tourism, particularly in the context of limited sustainable opportunities on the Canadian Shield. It sheds light on the consequences for those who call these communities home year-round.

Weight: 430g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780774867849