Salerno Lake is a lake in Ontario's cottage country. It was orginaly named "Devil's Lake" because it was a devil of a place to move logs from one end to the other with its 90 degree curve. The name was changed to Salerno Lake by the government of Ontario and published on a federal map in 1944. Salerno Lake was named after the Italian city of that same name History shows that the Canadian Army played a prominent role in landing at Salerno, Italy in 1943. This naming allowed for a distinctive lake name and eliminate the common name "Devil". The name Salerno Lake was eventually approved by the Canadian Board on Geographical Names in 1953.
The IB&O Railway brought early tourists to Devil's Lake in the 1880s. The famous founder, Charles J. Pusey, had a huge cottage on the south end of the lake. Other cottagers “went over the hill” and built cottages all along the east side. This included the Highland Trail Lodge. Eventually a road was pushed from Irondale to White Lake to service the farther ends of the lake. The water drains into the Irondale branch of the Burnt River via Devil's Creek at Irondale. Although most town lots in Irondale were never built upon, at its peak in 1891, the village contained a busy railway station, 2 general stores, a blacksmith shop and Sam Hancock’s hotel. Unfortunately, the mother lode never materialized and the mines disappeared. The lumber industry lingered for a time, buoyed by the railway. The Standard Chemical plant in Donald created a sporadic demand for wood, but soon the best timber was but a memory. Locals also employed some creative ways to earn extra cash. In winter, blocks of ice were cut from Devil's Lake and lowered by slide down to the railway station. Here they were loaded on box cars & sent to Torontonians, in the days before electric refrigerators.
|
Our Lake's History (written by our cottagers)
Do you recognize anyone in these old photos? Do you have historical documents, stories of the past or old photos of your cottage on Salerno Lake that you would like to share? If so contact our SDLCA President |
|
Research from Tom and Joan Kott Tom and Joan Kott
Girl Guide Camp and Salerno Lake
The guide camp that was located on Procter Drive (building was torn down in 60's). There were two camps. Happy Acres was located on the south-east side of the old 503 just after you cross the cement bridge. Back then it was open fields. Camp Wabpashant was located near our cottage on Procter Drive. My Aunt Helen Sutton (nee Snor) was active in organizing the camp.
|
.jpg) |
 |
|
Irondale Grandma Snor 1930's |
Irondale Devils Lake viewed from above Snor cottage |
 
Kott Family (Snor) cottage boathouse and bunck early 1930's
On the north end of the lake - the cottage has been updated but the dock structure remains.
|
|
 |
ALL-GO CAMP (1947) was operated by William and Lily Lancaster as a family summer business in the 1950's. The main lodge was built in 1947 and was used to serve meals and entertain camp guests. The lodge still stands today off of Salerno Road No. 7 (at the south end of the lake). In the late 1960's, William and Lily decided to sell the lodge and most of the 140 acres that the camp was located on to help them retire. They kept 3 lots that were located slightly up the lake from lodge that they adored because of the many tall pine trees located on that parcel of land. They nicknamed the property 'Pinepoint' and built a new family cottage which was enjoyed by many Lancaster-Proud family members for next 30+ years.
|
   |
|
 
Lily Lancaster on right with company. One of many small sleep cabins.
|
On north east side of the lake back in the early 1940's. Kids swimming and catching frogs. |
