BARB'S GENEALOGY TIDBITS- BALL POINT- THE HUNTING LODGE STORY

Ball Point on Lake Scugog is often referred as the little cape on the lake. Located in Mariposa Township, Victoria County now City of Kawartha Lakes, just north of Lake Ontario, it was settled in the early 1800s.  Home to ancestors Robert John Parkin and his wife Hannah Keeler along with their children since the 1840s, it had many uses over the years. As was customary, land was passed on to sons. My great-grandfather Charles William Parkin(s) inherited 1/3 of the cape.

The part on the Point that was owned by Charles, Barbara's paternal great-grandfather was very functional. Along with housing members in the house on the property at the tip, other people had uses for it.
Ball Point was used by duck hunters and fishermen in the summer/fall seasons in the early 1900s. Rooms were rented to them.

Although the pamphlet says Lodge, it was really the main house and some rooms that were used.
This pamphlet from that time remains in the family.
According to Parkin Alton- grandson of Charles- with Barbara Di Mambro, it was more of an idea of renting rooms to them. The property was also rented to the YMCA fro camping in the summer.
Although research has been done, no documentation has been found to date to verify that story.
Leona Parkin-Alton- Parkin's mother and Barbara's paternal grandmother- was well liked by the guests when she was a young girl. They would send her postcards thus she acquired quite a collection putting them in a special book.

A group of hunters after one session. Unidentified men in the picture. Not family.
Family members also enjoyed the wonderful fishing of the lake.

Here is Charles William with his-son-in-law Cortland Alton. It looks like a big Musky for which Lake Scugog is famous.

Parkin as a toddler with his Dad Cortland. Circa 1918.

Family and their catches.

Parkin with a 12 lb musky landed at Ball Point the summer of 1933.

Parkin and brother Jerry with a Pintail the Fall of 1933.

Parkin with a carp he shot the summer of 1933.
So Ball Point was strategically located to take advantage of the fishing and hunting in the area.
There were two duck boats at the Point.

The above picture is Parkin's first wife- May Ellis-Alton- during the 1940s. She poised for the picture in one of the duck boats- October 10, 1940. She was not a duck hunter.

Now the house and property are enjoyed by family for cottage vacations. No more renting of rooms.

REFERENCES

Parkin/Alton/Ellis Family Photos.
Conversations with Parkin Alton on the history of Ball Point.
Research by Barbara Di Mambro.

Copyright 2019
Barbara Di Mambro
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