In 1833, shortly after the settlement of the region began, Thomas Need arrived at Bobcaygeon, the narrows between Sturgen and Pigeon lakes. When the government began construction of a small lock and canal, Need surveyed a village plot, which was named Rokeby by Lieutenant Governor Sir John Colborne but was still commonly called Bobcaygeon. Need later opened a store and erected a saw mill and grist mill, and became the first post master.

The lock situated in the centre of town was built while Mr. Need was Commisioner of the district.  Bobcaygeon owes much of its development to the lock that connects the town to the Trent-Severn waterway system. Originally the Trent Canal system was intended as a defense route, but it soon became the major route of transportation. In 1844 Thomas Need sold his interests to Mossom Boyd, who later started a lumbering business.

In 1857, the community had 150 inhabitants. With the construction of the Bobcaygeon Colonization Road, and the development of a large lumbering business of Mossom Boyd and his son, the town of Bobcaygeon began to flourish. By 1876, the population of Bobcaygeon had swelled to 1,000, causing the County of Victoria to recognize it as a village.

Origin of the Name "Bobcaygeon"

The name "Bobcaygeon" is said to have been derived from the Indian word "Bobcaygewanunk" meaning "shallow rapids". A visit to Bobcaygeon is particularly enhanced by its beautiful, natural setting. It is built on three islands, joined by a series of seven bridges (one being a swing bridge), with Lock 32 of the Trent Severn Waterway System located in the centre of the Village.

Early Commerce & Development

With Bobcaygeon strategically located at the crossing of the Great Bobcaygeon Road and the Trent-Severn Waterway, business flourished. Lumbering and farming were initially the basic industries in this area. Some farmers have gained international recognition in cattle breeding. Mr. Mossom Boyd bred the famous Double Standard Polled Hereford and tried his hand at the Cattalo or Beefalo, a mix of Buffalo and Cattle which was to be able to withstand the rigorous Canadian winters. He and the other settlers also experimented with breeding horses with varying degrees of success.

A dairy and cheese industry evolved from the ever-increasing number and size of farms. The Bobcaygeon Creamery, at its peak, produced about 250,000 lbs of butter annually. There were other smaller creameries and several cheese factories, making Canadian cheddar. Diminishing herds and the cost of implementing the pasteurization process forced most of these to close their doors. Only the famous Kawartha Dairy remains in operation today.

As lumbering faded, the tourist industry took its place. The abundance of lakes with their many fish attracted anglers from far and wide. This led to boat building, marinas, stately hotels, service of commerce and tourist ships, and attracted the railroad, turning Bobcaygeon into a bustling hub. Newspapers came, mining developed, resorts were built, cottagers settled and other amenities followed: schools, churches, health and medical practices, a fire department, hydro, municipal water and sewers. Today, the Village features golf courses, marinas, clothing / fashion / footwear, liquor & beer stores, photo finishing, crafts / gifts / jewelry, contruction contractors, building supplies, varied accommodations, restaurants, veterinary services, professional and financial offices, pharmacies, and many more services. Bobcaygeon has 7 bridges, one of them a swing bridge - more bridges per capita than Paris, known as the City of lights and bridges!

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Author: Melissa Panter