The Settlement of Orchard Beach: Cottages, Community & Legacy

In January 2025, Mike Baker delivered a captivating presentation on the early settlement and cottage history of Orchard Beach, a treasured corner of Port Stanley. From the first peach orchard cottages to the families who shaped its growth, Mike’s talk brought to life the vibrant community and iconic architecture of this historic lakeside area.

Key Points from the Presentation:

The First Cottage (1883)

• Built by Rev. J.W.P. Smith in a peach orchard.
• Depicted in a painting by Susan McKay (now in the Port Stanley Library).
• K.W. McKay and James A. Bell were involved in laying out the area formally.

Early Maps & Beach Development

• Included photos and maps of:
  • The Drinkwater farm and original cottage.
  • Postcards (1910–1915) of beaches, federal groins, and Edward Street cottages.
  • LE&DRR’s New Orchard Beach development diagrams.

Summerholme & the YWCA Legacy

• Built in 1892 by the London YWCA as a girls’ summer camp.
• Purchased by Don Anderson in 1950 after the camp closed.
• The final YWCA invite was sent by Betty Bone of Alma College.

Family Cottages & Notable Residents

• Darch Cottage (linked to Craig Cole‘s family).
• Findley Cottage was also featured.
• John Darch’s widow operated a six-story store on Talbot Street, London’s tallest building at the time.

The Purdom Legacy

• T.H. Purdom (ca. 1910):
  • Publisher of the London Advertizer
  • President of Savings and Loan Bank
  • Bought the Port–London Traction Line
  • Founded Northern Life Insurance
  • Key figure in both London business and cottage development in Orchard Beach

Alma Villa & Duffield Family

• Built in 1916 by James Duffield (founder of Atlantic Petroleum).
• Duffield also owned a mansion on Queen St., London; Duffield Block named after him.

The Hyman Cottage

• Mr. Hyman: Ran a tannery, was an MP (1900–1907), and national tennis champion in the 1880s.
• His London home is the Idlewild Inn on Grand Ave.

Pagoda Roof Cottage (1931)

• Built by Florence and Francis Wood; inspired by a Japanese tea house and Butchart Gardens.
• Bought by John Sackville Labatt (1936) and later Johnny Downs (1965).
• Francis Wood tragically died during its reconstruction.

Moore Family Connection

• Shirley Wood (Florence’s daughter) married Jake (John) Moore, who became CEO of Labatt.
• The Moore cottage was relocated to 165 Harrison Street.
• Descendants Penny and Nancy Moore still live in Orchard Beach.

Final Reflection

• Presentation concluded with a Savings and Loan Bank board photo, illustrating the deep social and economic ties among Orchard Beach’s cottage families.