History of Falkenburg, Muskoka

This article appears on a website devoted to abandoned
communities in Ontario. Click on the heading to see the website
and some old photos of Falkenburg.

FALKENBURG (Also known as Falconburg)

Falkenburg was another settlement which popped up along the
Colonization Roads of Ontario. In this case it was the Muskoka
Road which the Ontario Government decided to construct in the
hopes of luring settlers to the area.

Beginning in 1859, teams of men were employed to build the road.
They chose to use portable sawmills while planking the road as it
was easier than moving the lumber as they progressed. The
Muskoka Road was approximately 16 feet wide with one side built
on an incline to allow water to drain off. Constructing a road out of
lumber posed problems, however. When bush fires occurred, any
burning trees that fell on the road resulted in igniting the road
planks. Also, the stagecoach services running along the road would
cut the wood with their sharp horseshoes. When the Muskoka Road
was completed, it would run 210 km to the city of North Bay.

Falkenburg was one of the first settlements to lure residents from
overseas looking to settle along the Muskoka Road. Being at the
southern end of the road, Falkenburg was seen as a favorable place
to live rather than travel northward. Matthias Moore was one such
immigrant to arrive from overseas and settle in Falkenburg. Moore
wasted no time in constructing a saw and shingle mill to provide
lumber for the ongoing construction.

The post office opened in 1863 with 26 year old William Holditch
being the first postmaster. Moore took over in 1872 until his death
in 1893 when Robert George would take over.

Stagecoaches were constantly running passengers to Bracebridge.
Two hotels were built to accomodate visitors along with a church,
blacksmith and general store.

The railway soon appeared out of the forest but a few kilometres
south of Falkenburg. There, a train station was built under the
name of Falkenburg Station. With more passengers choosing to
use the railway rather than stagecoach, Falkenburg's importance
began to diminish.

Today you will find remains of an old mill on the western side of
the town. It can be found at the end of a dead-end road, where
the Moore cemetery also happens to be.

Falkenburg is rather easy to find. It is on Muskoka Road 4 which
parallels Highway 11. As you drive north from Bracebridge along
Muskoka Road 4, you will pass Falkenburg Station. After you pass
the second set of railway tracks, Falkenburg will be on the eastern
side (a right hand turn).