In the early 1880’s , Mr. & Mrs. Robert Gould took up residence about 8 km west of the tiny hamlet of Haliburton on the densely wooded north shore of Lake Kashagawigamog. Gould like most of the early settlers was a farmer and he valiantly tried to scratch out a meager sustenance from the rocky soil. Around 1910 Gould decided to move across the lake to the South shore and greener pastures and sold his property to William Robertson. Robertson bought the farm for his son Holly, this allowed him to stay home and assist the supply during the First World War.

In 1922 Holly’s sisters, hazel and Violet decided to take in guests, and this was the birth of the Family Resort, Wigamog Inn. They received guests by boat from the south side of the lake as the road access was not constructed at that time. In the picture shown of the building dated 1922 the stone fireplace that was part of this original structure built in the 1800’s is still visible in Shutter’s Dining room and Bar.

Violet eventually left Wigamog to marry Dominique Petrini in 1932 and they bought a small cottage near Wigamog which they built into a resort named “Locarno”. Today this small resort has been amalgamated into the property and is known as the Moose Bar and Grill. Holly’s brother Merv joined him at Wigamog buying Holly’s interests in 1938.

Merv, and his wife Allison, were boasting 150 guests when they sold the resort to Art and Joan Ward who spent their first summer here is 1967 – Art as the social director, Joan as the dining room hostess. Under their direction Wigamog Inn underwent a continual metamorphism. The opening of the million dollar convention facility in 1981 marked the emergence of Wigamog Inn from the original bed and breakfast to a successful hotel, catering to both families and groups.

In 1993 Kimberly and Christopher Grossman purchased the Wigamog Inn from Kimberley’s parents, Art and Joan Ward. Pauline and Peter Baumgartner who had owned the neighboring “Locarno Resort” since 1958 offered it for sale. So in December of 1994 a dream came true and the Grossman’s were able to purchase “Locarno” and the amalgamation of the two properties was as easy as tearing down a fence. Today Ron Petrini (son of Merv and Alison Robertson previous owners of Locarno) and Keith Robertson( Son of Merv and Alison Robertson pervious owners of Wigamog Inn) each live on either side of the Wigamog Inn Resort property line and many of their family pictures grace the walls and archives found at the Inn. During the time that the Grossman’s owned the facility there was a refocusing on Family’s and increase on children’s programs…this can be attested to with such accolades as “One of Ontario’s Top Ten Tested-Children’s Getaways” Ottawa Citizen. The Wigamog Inn was also nominated as a 5-star destination for children's programs by Hotel Fun 4 Kids.

Returning guests will find themselves part of the tradition as a Kimberly and Christopher built upon the photo library (so don’t be surprised if we snap one during your holiday!).

1999 saw the change of ownership again to Walter Prychidny. Walter has a long and successful history of ownership and involvement in the hospitality Industry. While the continued addition of professional hospitality staff was a focus for the property, renovations and changes and additions have also been ongoing on the property. In 2003 a number of the Cottages were moved from the “North Hill” to form a new area we now refer to as the Horseshoe. In this area a new outdoor heated pool was added along with a massive children’s play area.

Today the Wigamog Inn Resort is a modern four season’s facility designed for leisure, corporate or group business. In addition to great onsite facilities we have formed a number of great partnerships that has allowed us to expand the great activities and experiences for the guest with everything from a great water ski and wake boarding school in the summer with our partner “Ski Mazing’ to dog-sledding in the winter right on the property with our partner “Winter Dance”. We have snowmobiles on site to rent each winter for those that want to try this sport but don’t want to buy a $20,000.00 machine, or we can take you on a scenic tour of the lake in summer and fall on our pontoon boat.

Whether it be for a “Girls Getaway”, a couples romantic retreat, a bunch guys wanting to stealing away for some “Boys fun” or a family Vacation the Wigamog Inn Resort has “all the reasons for all the seasons” to accommodate your needs. We have developed great partnership with “Wind in the Willows Spa” for those seeking a great spa experience and partner with numerous golf courses for recreational experiences. Hikers, canoers, avid bikers and all sorts of outdoor enthusiasts looking for a recreational experience and memory, can find it here at the Wigamog Inn.

At the Wigamog Inn resort we have been known for our culinary expertise and now we have added special Winemakers weekends. These are weekends catering to people that want to add the exploration of excellent wines and food pairing to their vacation experience.

With all of the great new opportunities whether it be for couples, seniors, groups or the family vacation, it is our hope that generations to come will continue to return year after year, to discover a part of their own vacation memories as Wigamog continues to thrive as one of Ontario’s Best Valued Resorts.