The Briars (Georgina) facts for kids
The Briars is a special lakeside resort located in Jackson's Point, Ontario. It's a place where history meets fun, offering a mix of old buildings and modern activities. Some parts of the resort, like the main Manor House and the Peacock House, are protected because they are important historical buildings. This means they are kept safe so people can enjoy them for many years.
History of The Briars
The main building, called the Manor House, was built a long time ago in 1840. A man named Captain William Bourchier, who was in the Navy, named the property "The Briars." He named it after a place he liked on an island called Saint Helena. Captain Bourchier first came to Canada to work on ships on the Great Lakes. However, a war ended, and his ship was never finished.
Early Owners and Changes
After the war, Captain Bourchier got some land. He later married Amelia Jackson. Amelia didn't want to live in the wild forest, so she convinced William to go back to the Navy and move to India. William sold his land to his brother James. James then sold a part of the land to Mr. Jackson, which is why the area is now called Jackson's Point. James used the money to start a village nearby called Sutton.
William Bourchier returned to Canada in 1843 with his second wife and family. They moved into the newly built Briars. Sadly, William died in 1844, and his wife went back to England.
The Sibbald Family Era
The Briars was rented out for a while. Then, in the 1870s, a doctor named Frank Sibbald bought the property. He bought it in two parts, including the main house and other buildings like a barn. Dr. Sibbald added two new sections to the main house in 1880. He also built a Coach House and a brick stable. The Peacock House was built later to keep his collection of peacocks! Dr. Sibbald also expanded the land for farming.
When Dr. Sibbald passed away in 1904, he left The Briars to Bessie, who was Captain William Bourchier's daughter. Bessie tried to keep the farm going, but her bank manager suggested she rent it out. The farm was rented until 1948.
From Farm to Resort
In 1949, the old barn on the property was turned into a theater called The Red Barn Theatre. Bessie also built several small cottages near the lake for tourists to stay in. After Bessie died, her nephew, Jack Sibbald, inherited the property. Jack continued to farm the land. He also used the Manor House for his business and his job as a local leader (Reeve).
In 1922, the farm land was turned into a golf course. More cottages were added along the shore for visitors. The resort officially started as a business in 1942, first called The Briars Community Club. It changed its name a few times, becoming The Briars Country Club in 1945, and then The Briars Inn and Country Club in 1963. It has kept that name ever since. After many generations, the Sibbald family sold The Briars on April 7, 2017.
