Paradise: Waterfront Gem with Georgian Bay Views

Experience the allure of Paradise, a stunning waterfront retreat on Barrow Bay. Revel in the breathtaking views of Georgian Bay from this exquisite property, nestled against the Niagara Escarpment. Paradise offers easy access to Lion's Head, Tobermory and National Park. This home is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, with the Bruce Trail at your doorstep. Boasting large windows, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, and a new deck, it’s perfect for hosting or a peaceful escape!

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Barrow Bay, Ontario; a picturesque Georgian Bay community, owes its origin to the once-thriving Bruce Peninsula lumbering industry. Today it is a quiet summer get-away, especially at Paradise. You can also access the trailheads of the Bruce Trail nearby!

A Sunday drive in the Grey and Bruce region can take you to many interesting and beautiful destinations off the beaten path. Along the way one can see many unique land forms of the escarpment. One of our favourite trips is to travel North of Wiarton, and turn east and follow the north shore of Colpoy’s Bay until we reach the road heading to Lion’s Head. A fantastic view to behold!

After passing Hope Bay you will reach a small community, which although its nickname is “Little Scotland”, its official name is taken from that of an English baron. Barrow Bay is named after Sir John Barrow, who not only served as England’s Secretary of the Admiralty but was also the founder of the Royal Geographical Society.

The site of the community is also geographically unique. Barrow Bay is situated between Cape Dundas and Gun Point which protrude into Georgian Bay. This is not unique in geographical terms, but what is unusual is that another body of water is located almost immediately adjacent to Georgian Bay. Little Lake was created by a narrow rocky spit of land separating it from Georgian Bay.

Judge’s Creek flows from the hinterland of the peninsula into Little Lake and on into Georgian Bay. This creek is named after Patrick Judge, one of the first settlers in the area. Judge acquired the lands surrounding the lake and the creek in the 1870s. In 1874 he built one of the first commercial enterprises in Eastnor Township, a sawmill. Later the Barrow Bay Lumber Company erected another sawmill on the rocky spit which separates Little Lake from Georgian Bay. The company used Little Lake as a storehouse for the logs which had been floated down Judge’s Creek, until they could be used or shipped elsewhere. Forest products were shipped to many Great Lakes destinations such as Detroit and Chicago.

The Barrow Bay Lumber Company contributed substantially to the development of the community. In 1877 a grist mill was erected above the falls on the creek. In the 1930s Clark Sensabaugh, the owner of the grist mill built a dam below the falls and installed an electoral system which provided the power for the nearby community of Lion’s Head. A hotel and a general store were also opened. To provide housing for its employees, the company built houses along Bruce County Road #9 through Barrow Bay. They were painted red and were known in the area as the “Red Houses”. A boarding house was also erected.

Around the turn of the century, a butter and cheese factory was built in the community, however its life span was short and very few records of its activities have survived.

Unfortunately, for the logging company, and the community, there was a limited number of trees that could be logged in the area. By the early twentieth century the lumbering era was but a memory. Another malady which inflicted itself upon so many early communities also took its toll on Barrow Bay. Fire destroyed many of the houses and the sawmill. The hotel met a similar fate in the early 1900s.

Early in the 1900s, the community was still dependent upon the vessels which plied the coastal waters of Georgian Bay serving the outposts of the peninsula. Road travel on the Bruce Peninsula was difficult at best. Consequently, the citizens of Barrow Bay depended upon the arrival and departure of sailing vessels as their connection to the rest of the world.

Today, Barrow Bay is a quiet hamlet on the Bruce Peninsula. Its picturesque beauty has attracted tourists to come and built cottages on the spit that once housed a humming saw mill. Little Lake, once the storehouse for timber cut in the hinterlands of the Peninsula, now plays host to swimmers and pleasure craft.

The information used in this article came from many sources. However, Benchmarks: A History of Eastnor Township and Lion’s Head, edited by Glenn Hepburn, was of primary importance.

A version of this article first appeared in the Owen Sound Sun Times Local History column.

Native Land Acknowledgment
We acknowledge the traditional Territory of the Anishinabek Nation: The People of the Three Fires known as Ojibway Odawa and Pottawatomie Nations. And further give thanks to the Chippewas of Saugeen, and the Chippewas of Nawash, now known as the Saugeen Ojibway Nation, as the traditional keepers of this land.

Have you ever wondered about why the waters of Georgian Bay can appear to take on a beautiful aqua colour? It's a product of light refracting through calcite in the water.
Calcite comes from the dolostone that makes up the escarpment. Rainfall events (rain is naturally slightly acidic) or water agitating surrounding rocks can cause calcium carbonate to leech from the stone or other calcium-rich compounds, such as marl, and crystallize in the lake water, becoming calcite. These crystals double-refract the light (also called birefringence), creating the beautiful hue that our eyes see.
This is the second post of a series about the geology of the Niagara Escarpment.

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Immerse yourself in the enchanting embrace of Paradise, a waterfront sanctuary designed for those who dream of a life filled with serene beauty and rustic elegance. Perched gracefully on Barrow Bay and cradled by the majestic Niagara Escarpment, this home is a masterpiece of tranquility and panoramic splendor, offering unrivaled views of Georgian Bay that are arguably the best along the coastline.

Within its walls, you’ll find an inviting multi-great room warmed by a crackling wood-burning fireplace, setting the stage for unforgettable moments and cozy nights. The heart of the home is its spacious, open-concept upper great room, where sweeping vistas of the bay unfold before your eyes, framed by expansive windows that welcome the natural light and beauty of the outdoors.

This home boasts three generously sized bedrooms, each a haven of comfort and peace, promising restful slumbers and mornings greeted by the gentle sounds of the bay. The layout is thoughtfully designed to cater to overnight guests and multi-generational families, with a walk-out basement featuring a private bathroom and living area, ensuring space and privacy for all.

Entertainment and leisure are effortless, thanks to the new oversized deck with glass railings, providing a perfect backdrop for gatherings, celebrations, or quiet reflection as you gaze out over the water. The property not only offers ample parking with a double driveway and a large garage ideal for storing boats and outdoor gear but also boasts 99 feet of pristine shoreline, promising endless adventures and a deep connection with nature.

Located a scenic drive from K-W and the GTA, and nestled between the charming communities of Lion's Head and Wiarton, this home is a gateway to the best the Bruce Peninsula has to offer, from hiking the Bruce Trail to exploring Tobermory's famed Grotto.

This is more than a home; it's a retreat, a dream, a place where memories are made. Don't let this waterfront dream slip away—discover your paradise in Barrow Bay.

From Wiarton:

a. Head North on Hwy 6 North toward William Street 26.2 km
b. Turn right onto Barrow Bay Rd
c. Continue 4.1 km
d. Turn left onto Bruce County Rd 9
e. Turn right onto McCague Drive
f. Turn left onto North Shore Road at the fork in the road
g. Cottage is on your left hand side

Discover the Grotto at Bruce Peninsula!
Heading to the iconic Grotto? Here's the scoop:

Reserve Your Spot! Book your parking pass early on the Parks Canada website – spots fill up fast!
Best Time to Go: Beat the crowds by snagging an early morning or late afternoon time.
Pack Your Gear: Bring comfy shoes, water, snacks, and your swimsuit for an epic dip!
It’s a quick drive and totally worth it for those jaw-dropping views. Don’t miss out on this bucket-list adventure!