Partner City
Parry Sound
Pearl of Georgian Bay
Located at the mouth of the Seguin River and with a protected harbour,means, Parry Sound has been a gathering place for First Nations peoples for centuries prior to the arrival of Europeans. From the 1850s the growth of logging, and then mining, spurred development of the town as a hub to access northern Ontario's hinterland. After World War II Parry Sound became the heart of cottage country in Ontario, and thousands of tourists visit the town every year.
Historic Walking Tours

Life in Early Parry Sound
The Town's Story

Parry Sound's Industrial Past
Logging, Mining, and Shipping

The Steamship Era
Tourism in Parry Sound

View from the Hill
Tower Hill
Then and Now Photos


Mike Morden Collection & On This Spot Enterprises
Harbour View - 1936
A view of Parry Sound's Harbour including the Town Dock, taken from the tower at Tower Hill.


West Parry Sound District Museum 1998.032.002 & On This Spot Enterprises
Trestle Over Houses - 1908
Two boys stand on the street of this recently constructed neighbourhood, with the railway trestle looming in the background.


West Parry Sound District Museum 1998.032.003 & On This Spot Enterprises
Bridge from the East - 1910s
A photo of the railway trestle as seen from the east side of the river. The river is filled with logs waiting to be milled at the sawmill.


Mike Morden Collection & On This Spot Enterprises
Belvedere Hill View - ca. 1890s
A group of people enjoy the view of Georgian Bay from Belvedere Hill.


West Parry Sound District Museum 1998.033.001 & On This Spot Enterprises
Beatty's Corner - 1869
Beatty's grocery store in Parry Sound's early days. This store was the heart of the community, and the man who built it, William Beatty, who lent his name to the intersection of James and Seguin.


West Parry Sound District Museum 2001.016.1142 & On This Spot Enterprises
The Post Office - 1897
A group of people standing in front of Parry Sound's post office shortly after it was completed.


West Parry Sound District Museum 2001.016.1170 & On This Spot Enterprises
View Down James St. - 1899
A view down quiet James Street, showing the Oddfellows Hall at right, and the Beatty Store at left.


West Parry Sound District Museum 2001.016.1336 & On This Spot Enterprises
Steaming into Dock - 1907
Several men stand and watch a steamer pulling into the Town Dock.


West Parry Sound District Museum 2001.016.1498 & On This Spot Enterprises
James Street - 1910s
Buildings on James Street, showing the Oddfellows Hall at right and the Beatty Store at the far left. You can see several early cars parked along the block.


West Parry Sound District Museum 2001.016.1558 & On This Spot Enterprises
Fire Engine - 1900s
A horse-drawn fire engine departs the fire station, with a boy along for the ride.


West Parry Sound District Museum 2001.016.1590 & On This Spot Enterprises
The Hawkins Bros - ca. 1910s
Three men and their buggy pose in front of the Hawkins Bros store, which sold flour and animal feed.


West Parry Sound District Museum 2001.016.1956 & On This Spot Enterprises
Boys by the River - 1910
Three boys play on a piece of railway equipment in the shadow of the train trestle. Notice how Tower Hill has been denuded of trees.
These photos and tours are possible through the generous support of our partners.