1946-1949

J.C. Moore (47-70) located the property on Thanksgiving Day and a $25 down payment was made to the North Shore Realty Co. The final price paid for 4,150 acres was $3.75 per acre.
On November 5th, Fred Hurst, Camping Chairman and Fred Buesnel (59-62), Field Commissioner visited the site.
On November 10th, the entire District of Toronto (as it wan then known) Camping Committee visited site. "Those present were F. C. Hurst (Chairman), G. L. Wallace, A. E. Boyle, W. J. R. Rogers, T. B. Kemp, A. K. McKim, R. Smith, J. King, Wm. Smith, H. B. [Bert] Greenaway, H. E. D. Mitchell, A. S. Buesnel, G. G. Purkis, J.C. Moore....The visitors were met by Mr Fred. Harris and Mr. Webster of the Mill Valley Lumber Company and taken to the camp dining hall for lunch. following lunch the Committee was conducted by Mr. Webster on a tour of the east section of the property visiting two small lakes lying east of the camp buildings (probably Poobah Pond and Lost Lake) and then to the shores of Lake Ken-na-big returning to the camp via the Kennaway Road and viewing Holland Lake to the North. The Committee returned to the Benson House (now the York Tavern) in Lindsay.... All present reported that they were favourably impressed with the property. It was moved, seconded and unanimously carried that "we recommend to the Executive Council the purchase of the property as offered in the letter from Mr. J. E. Harris of North Shore Realty Company dated October 24th, 1946 as follows - lots 16 to 25 in Concessions 7 and 8 Dudley Township at $10,000, lots 11 to 20 in Concessions 8 and 9 at $4,000 and that the Chairman be authorized to communicate with Mr. Harris to find the cost of obtaining lots 8,9 and 10 in Concession 8 to give us a frontage on Drag Lake and to take whatever action necessary to secure an option on the property until the Executive Council have an opportunity to consider the purchase." [Minutes-Nov 10/46]
December 18th - "Mr. Hurst reported on the action that had been taken to secure an option on the property of the North Shore Realty Co. and of the approval and enthusiasm of the Executive Council, Executive Committee and Advisory Board. There are several points to be cleared up with the owners with reference to lot lines, roadways, timber rights, the portion of the property reserved by Mr. Fee and other details but definite progress is being made." [Minutes-Dec 18/46]
Mr. John Harris, President of North Shore Realty, and Mill Valley Lumber Co. donated 150 acres on Drag Lake to give us access to East Bay.
The north shore of Kennabi Lake, south of the Kennaway Road was still owned by Mr. Ernie Fee of Lindsay who donated the land in return for $3,000, which was the cost of the road and cabin (south part of Kennabi Lodge) which he had built.

1947

April 8th - From a Camp Committee Meeting held at the Granite Club:

"Mr. Hurst reported that the deal for the campsite was practically complete and he can foresee no possible hitch that would upset our plans for acquiring it. As soon as the deal is completed in the next few days, we will be assured of camping privileges for this year subject to the rights of the Mill Valley Lumber Co. (See Parcel #1 on map above)
It is not possible immediately, to set down a long term policy for operation of the camp as much investigation must be made and material and data examined that we be sure we are on the right track on a plan for development and use of the new site over a long period. It was decided that in keeping with our agreement with Mill Valley Lumber Co., experimental camping on a troop basis will be permitted. On account of the nature of the country and limited facilities at present available camping will privileges will be granted only to groups of qualified campers with adequate leadership of special qualifications. Application will be filled out on the regular camp permit form and mailed to Headquarters for approval in the usual manner.
Mr. Hurst stated that he had discussed the question of general camp supervision with Mr. Greenaway and felt that a staff man should be appointed. Mr. Hurst suggested that Jimmy Moore be appointed Camp Director and that he be authorized to supervise development work on the camp and have supervision of all groups using the camp. (Carried) Supervision will be required during July and August and living quarters will be provided for Mr. and Mrs. Moore in the cabin bought from Mr. Fee if Mr. Moore feels that it would be suitable. Mr.. Moore stated that he had looked over the building and although some essential equipment will be required, it will serve the purpose this year as we will all be pioneering at the camp this year.
The problem of marking out boundaries of the property was discussed and various suggestions made as follows: fencing the 10 or 12 miles was out of the question; white rings might be painted around the trees in a line surrounding the property; a single wire strand; a path or road well marked with signs might be constructed over a period of time. Until such time as a satisfactory method is found, careful supervision must be given to groups. The secretary suggested that each group coming into camp should be advised of temporary boundary limitations, precautions to be taken against becoming lost and procedure incase they should become separated or astray. Groups using the camp this year should be confined to the area bounded by the lumber camp, Minnie and Hollen Lake, Kennabig Lake, Lost Lake and the small lake south of the lumber camp. Keith McKim said that he believed that generator type telephones would soon be available at a reasonable cost and could be operated on a single wire system and well marked and numbered stations set up at strategic points on the property. Anyone not sure of his location could ring in and report the station number or follow the wire back to camp.
Mr Hurst outlined the Ontario Government plan for subsidizing transportation costs for campers by paying 50% of the cost up to a maximum of $1.00. Mr Hurst proposed that we seek permission of the Government to make the property a game preserve and to prohibit firearms, hunting and trapping that the boys may forever enjoy the wildlife and the committee concurred. As there were now several new members of the committee and the rest had not had an opportunity of seeing the property under anything but the most adverse conditions, it was suggested that a visit be paid to the property on Sunday May 4th. A communication from Mr. Robert Hartog requesting permission for a joint camp of the 113th and 22nd groups at Haliburton...The secretary was asked to have a regular camp application filled out by the group." [Minutes-Apr 8/47]

June 3 -

A new camp road is built from the mill site to the camp.
Staff consisted of five members during this first year of operation.
Two army trucks bought from War Assets at $325 each in the fall. They had been used as battery trucks at an airport during the war.
First two Queen boats obtained from the Navy League.
First "Lake Troops" to camp at HSR were the 22nd, 81st and 101st Toronto Troops.
First campsites were Twister and Big Bear.

1948

Approved budget for 1948 was $3,750 for operating, $1,500 for the purchase of lumber, and $3,000 for the erection of and equipping a camp hospital. [Minutes-Feb 25/48]
Walt Barnes (48) and Ken Woods (48) are paid $30 & $25 per week respectively as "Camp Wardens". [Minutes-Mar 16/48]
Mill Valley Lumber Co. lumbering rights expire.
Cabins moved from Mill Valley Lumber Co. (located at the Mill Site) included Kennaway Cabin (which had been a bunk house),and Cooky Cabin (which had been a meat storage hut).
Hurst and Guest Cabins were all built out of lumber from one of the mill bunk houses.
The Ranger's (JC's) Cabin (which was originally a granary) was built. The first part of the cabin, the sitting room, was built by Al and Don Moore for their use from wood from the mill site.
First Maintenance Workshop was built to be used as storage and as an ice-house.
Central wing added to Kennabi Lodge as a bedroom for J.C. and Mrs. Moore.
The exterior of Pow-wow Lodge was built. It was first designed as a hospital but it was felt that it was too big and so became a staff dorm.

1949

North wing and fireplace added to Kennabi Lodge, again as a bedroom for the Moores.
With funding from the Rotary Club of Toronto, a kitchen with a veranda (on which the first composite troop ate it's meals, was built by Mr. Gordon Keeber. This would form the first part of the Rotary Hub.
Lakeview and Driftwood Cabins built.
A hospital (later called Bayview Lodge) was built with funds donated by the Scottish Rite Masons of Toronto and the late J.P. Bickell Foundation. Hospital equipment was donated by the J. F. Hartz Co.
Guest and Hurst Cabins were built with lumber from one of Mill Valley bunkhouses.
Camp staff included Muriel Moore ($50), Don Moore, Allan Moore (47-54) and Ross Mitchell (48-54) ($25 each).
A Haliburton local, Bill Wilson (50-54?) became the first Camp Ranger (at $160 per month) until 1955 or 1956. He had a horse stable north of the camp road west of the guest sites where he kept his horse named Pal which he used to get back and forth to town. [Minutes-Nov 10/49]
Junior Board of Trade (know as "J.C.'s") donated first staff boat "JC I".
In November 1949 permission was given for a cabin to be built on the northwest shore of Hurst Lake by the 194th Toronto Rover Crew. It was used by Toronto Rovers throughout the fifties.

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