ICE FISHING ON BLAIRTON BAY

ICE FISHING ON BLAIRTON BAY

 CROWE LAKE NORTH SHORE AND BLAIRTON BAY

 

Marmora Herald, Date unknown

Ohio Man Drowned In Crowe Lake


Harry F. Stantz, aged 59, of Canton Ohio was accidentally drowned in Blairton Bay on Saturday evening. He and his wife were staying at their summer cottage at Blairton and Mr. Stantz had gone out in the boat to try out a motor. When he failed to return his wife became alarmed and went to look for him. The boat was found capsized in the water but there was no sign of Mr. Stantz. A call for help was sent out and a search started. Provincial police from Peterborough and Campbell- ford led by Constable Archie Eady began dragging the lake and the Peterborough O.P.P. boat was brought to the lake. The search continued on Sunday with members of Marmora Under- water Club, Jack Fraser, Doug Vilneff, and Donald Shannon assist- ing but without success. Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Smith, the latter a sister of Mrs. Stantz, and a nephew, Robert Schario, of Canton, drove to Blairton to be with Mrs. Stantz on Sunday morning. On Tuesday morning Mr. Smith sighted the body from shore and Constable Eady of the O.P.P., Campbellford, and Chief Charles Lockwood of Marmora towed the body ashore. It was later removed to the Wells Funeral Home at Marmora and wiIJ be sent to Canton for burial. Mr. and Mrs. Statz and Mr. and Mrs. Smith had been summer visitors at Crowe Lake for many years, the two sisters having owned the cottage since 1928.

Looking north up the county line from #7 highway to big island on north shore

Blairton Bay, looking west from Big Island Bridge photo by Kristin Philpot

Blairton Bay, looking west from Big Island Bridge photo by Kristin Philpot

John and Jean Callaghan cottage on Blairton Bay

 

July 26, 1964

Callaghan's, Brooks, from Ontario & Spencer's from Ohio.

Linda Szmyr -Callaghan 1960 Daughter of Jeanie Callaghan

Jeanie Callaghan.1940 daughter . of John Callaghan. Blairton Bay

BLAIRTON YOUTH DROWNED

Morley Elmo Ellis, 16, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Ellis, Blairton, was drowned in Crowe Lake last evening a short distance from his home. The youth had gone swimming with Jas. Derrett,, 20, and got in over his depth. Derrett attempted to save him but was not a good enough swimmer himself and was unsuccessful. He called for help and a number of people were soon at the scene. Ellis was taken from the water and artificial resuscitation was tried for over an hour but the victim failed to recover. The deceased would have been 17 on Monday and intended to join the Navy the next day. He leaves besides his parents, six sisters and two brothers.

Marmora Herald July 14, 1955 Page 1

Fisherman Marooned on Crowe Lake


Mr. Fred Soule of Belleville, a former Marmora resident, had a rather harrowing experience last Sunday afternoon and night. He had been fishing in Blairton Bay during the afternoon and had left his car and boat trailer at Blairton Trailer Park. Mr. Soule was having very good luck fishing and decided to try for a second Muskie when his motor quit. After trying very hard to start it, the boat being driven by the strong winds, came out into the lake which was very rough due to the high winds late Sunday afternoon and evening. He could not row back to the park and drifted farther out.

When Fred did not come home by 3 a.m. Monday morning his wife called their son, Perry, who in turn called the Provincial Police who had a car at Blairton within 15 minutes of the call. Perry Soule and his brother Craig along with Doug McKay from Belleville left immediately for Marmora and began searching. Aided by OPP officers they finally found Mr. Soule on the shore of one of the islands in the west end of the lake. He apparently had been blown aground and pulled his boat ashore around 6 p.m, and had turned it over, staying out of the driving rain and sleet which bit around 7:30 Sunday night. He remained their until found Monday morning. Outside of being cold he was otherwise unharmed and indeed very glad to see his rescuers.
Marmora Herald November 25,1970

ADRIAN PHILPOT iCE BOAT SAILING IN bLAIRTON bAY


DELIVERY OF THE LIGHTHOUSE TO BLAIRTON BAY

FIRE DEPARTMENT LENDS A HELPING HAND TO HISTORICAL FOUNDATION

In  1998,  Bob Beatty, living in Blairton,  donated to the Historical Foundation the island off the shore of the Blairton Iron Mine in Crowe Lake,  allowing for the planning of a memorial plaque to Blairton. Around 2005, it was decided that we needed a lighthouse and   Tibor Kegyes happened to have built one that we were able to purchase.  The Marmora Volunteer Fire Department came to the rescue  solving the question of delivery.  Using a barge supplied by Bonter's Marine,  and the labour of the firemen,  the lighthouse was safely delivered and erected,  and still shines today,  thanks to the help of the lighthouse keeper,  Bill Neill.

Many thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Kegyes,  grandson, Ian,  Scott Broadbent,  Vic Read,  Randy Vilneff,  Jeff Bonter,  Tom Sandford,  Tony Bronson


NEWS ON REFURBISHING THE LIGHTHOUSE AT BLAIRTON - August 2020

From news on seven & margriet kitchen

THANKS TO THE CROWE LAKE WATERWAYS ASSOC. AND BILL NEIL

Bill writes:

The light house located in Blairton Bay is known as the “Blairton Light” and came to be through the great effort of the late Cathy Jones of the Marmora Historical Board and is a reference to the past Blairton Mine and community that was located directly opposite the lighthouse location during the 1800’s. there is considerable history lore relating to the location of the lighthouse, one such story told as gospel indicated that a mine shaft entrance/exit at one time was located on the tiny island and in the very spot where the lighthouse is located. Following the erection of the lighthouse by Cathy Jones and helpers in approximately 2004, CLWA volunteers as an assistance to Cathy, unofficially provided ongoing maintenance of the lighthouse that included battery replacement, lamp replacement, changing of the flag, brush control etc. Over time water damage caused significant damage placing the lighthouse in danger of collapse. Crowe Lake Waterway Association undertook the job of a complete restoration that included the dismantling and transfer to the mainland. Two complete sections required replacement as well as major repairs on the remaining portions before a complete paint job prior to the transfer back to the island for final assembly and installation. The accompanying photos illustrate the rebuilding of the base, installation of sections and finally the finished product in all its glory. Volunteers included, Andrew White, Jim Nichol, Rick Moulton, Kendra Savard, Bill Neill. Also, we thank Bruce Cook for his generous donation of a couple of the replacement batteries used to store solar energy that powered the light.