In the past, I have covered Boose’s Tourist Camp in Detail, here and here.
I recently added an old advertising folder for the park to my collection. The rest of the images on the folder are ones that can be seen on the previous pages, but this is the first time I’ve some across a full version of the camp drawing above.
This drawing probably dates to around 1935 or so.
What’s that cage thing in the middle of the cottages? Holding cell for the children who asked “Are we there yet??” – once too often?
Reminds me of a trailer park, like that South Windsor one off Division Rd.
I wonder what other illustrations HW Soper did.
Shawn, that’s a good question. I know I’ve seen the name around… But I can’t place it…
I did some digging and found a Mr. H.W. Soper listed as a contributor (artistically?) for the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial… Thats all I found under that name.
The 1923-24 City directory (about a decade before this drawing) lists a Harold Soper as an electrician at the Kelsey Wheel Co. He was residing at 111 (old number) Monmouth in Walkerville.
Alas, I doubt that was our man…
Never underestimate the power of the google…
http://www.nflibrary.ca/nfplindex/show.asp?id=89374&b=1
I looks like he liked to draw tourist camps! Above is a link to one he drew for a Niagara Falls camp.
To answer David: When Dorwin Centre folks bought the property and built, the original owners moved to Division Road and built Marlin Trailer Court. Goes by a different name now I think. The Magee family were operating it until the late 70s I think, when they sold and moved to California. My in-laws lives there from the early 60s til the 90s when they died.
I recall the property on Dougall being called the Baby Trailer Park. The whole area was covered with huge trees which were cut down to make way for Dorwin. The trees at Cogeco end are the remnants of that wonderful wooded area.
The Niagara card also indicates Mr. Soper was from Windsor. Maybe the Soper on Monmouth was an aspiring artist?
Likely just like today — artists had to have a day job. Kelsey Hays probably paid nice, left a lot of free time to draw.