Hey there, fellow cottage lovers and history buffs! Gather 'round as I take you on a hilarious and slightly exaggerated journey through the indigenous history and quirky past of our beloved cottage area at 824 Trenear Rd, Colborne. Or should I say, Cramahe? Or maybe Brighton? Yep, our neck of the woods has more names than my kids have excuses for not doing their chores.
The Land Before Cottages
Long before our charming cottages and sandy shores, the area we now call Cramahe and Brighton was a thriving community for the indigenous peoples of the Mississauga nation. These folks were the original cottage aficionados, but instead of Airbnb, they had wigwams and longhouses. Picture this: families gathered around a fire, swapping stories, fishing, and laughing about how their Wi-Fi was always full bars (because it didn’t exist, get it?).
The Mississauga people were masters of the land and water, using their vast knowledge to navigate the lakes and rivers. They lived harmoniously with nature, and if you think paddleboarding is impressive, try doing it in a birchbark canoe with nothing but your paddling skills and a keen eye for avoiding beavers. Yep, these folks were the real deal.
Cramahe: What's in a Name?
Fast forward to the arrival of the Europeans, who, as usual, decided to rename everything. Enter John Graves Simcoe, the Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada, who in the late 1700s, started sprinkling names like confetti. He named our township Cramahe after his buddy, Hector Theophilus de Cramahé, who was a colonial administrator in Quebec. I know, right? Say that name five times fast!
Now, I don’t know about you, but I think Cramahe sounds a bit like a fancy French dessert. Imagine ordering a “Cramahe” at a chic Parisian café, only to get puzzled looks and a baguette instead. But I digress.
Brighton: A Seaside Dream…Sort of
Then there’s Brighton, another name in the mix, which conjures up images of British seaside towns with pebbly beaches and fish ‘n chips. Our Brighton, while not exactly seaside, does boast some stunning lake views and a whole lot of charm. The name was likely chosen by settlers longing for a taste of home, hoping to bring a bit of that British flair to the Canadian wilderness.
The Amalgamation Shenanigans
As if having multiple names wasn’t confusing enough, let’s throw in some municipal amalgamation shenanigans. Over the years, towns merged, boundaries shifted, and residents probably just went with the flow, shaking their heads and chuckling at the bureaucratic circus.
So, whether you call it Colborne, Cramahe, or Brighton, one thing’s for sure: this place has a rich tapestry of history woven with indigenous roots, European ambitions, and a dash of bureaucratic whimsy. Next time you’re sipping your morning coffee on the deck, take a moment to appreciate the layers of history beneath your feet. And maybe, just maybe, whisper a thanks to the Mississauga people who were here long before us, laughing at our modern-day antics.
So, what do you think? Do you prefer Cramahe, Brighton, or just sticking with “the cottage”? Let me know in the comments below! And while you’re at it, share your favorite cottage memory – bonus points if it involves a funny name mix-up!
Until next time, happy cottaging!