Midland was, and is, a bay port. The water was central to running a maritime business of moving logs, grain, steel and other resources.
The first boats to put into Midland were sailing vessels. S. Perrin's view of Midland 1886 (see photo above) shows a harbour filled with masts. The log booms can be seen in the foreground.
Started in the fall of 1881 by the Midland Railway Company, the wooden elevator operated until struck by lightning April 24, 1904. It held up to a half a million bushels of grain. The loss must have been disastrous.
Water, to this day, is the most economical method of transporting heavy loads and Midland was in a good location.
Sail has passed and now massive grain boats carry the grain from the lakehead to Midland for milling.
Much of the lake traffic today is recreational beyond which we find the odd tour boat occasionally booking into port with some fanfare.
This week the Tall Ships put in to dock. There is persistent talk of more tour operators coming forward, but with COVID and other issues, this has been delayed.
Perhaps a truly international yacht basin and power boat marina might be built to accommodate what is sure to come?
René Hackstetter July 21, 2022.
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