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Local: Barrie-Muskoka History - Development in the 1900s

In 1916, the federal Department of Defense acquired a large tract of land in the Township of Essa and established Camp Borden (now called Canadian Forces Base Borden).

By 1927, the need to develop Ontario's North forced the Ontario government to upgrade Highway 11 to North Bay (and beyond, to Cochrane) to gravel all the way from Severn Bridge. This also made the Muskokas acessible by car.

During the 1940's, servicemen stationed at the nearby Camp Borden military base visited Wasaga's amusement park. After the war, Wasaga Beach continued to be a popular place for cottages and day trips.

By 1930, the railway era had peaked and the highway era was beginning. A super highway (Highway 400) was constructed in 1950, joining Barrie to Toronto and southern Ontario..In the post-war era, many large American-based industries opened branches in Barrie, taking advantage of the favourable labour costs. Improved cars and highways allowed Barrie residents to efficiently commute to work in Toronto.

In the 1970s, Highway 400 between Barrie and Toronto was widened from 4 lanes to 6 (with 8 landes south of Highway 88). In the 1990s, Highway 400 has been extended northward from Barrie, progressively "twinning" the route taken by Highway 69 to Sudbury. Eventually, it will connect to the main route of the Trans-Canada Highway at Sudbury.

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