This photograph of Huntsville’s Hwy. 11 welcoming archway sign was taken in 1956 – before the highway bypass was built. At that time, all travellers on Hwy. 11 would pass through this Main Street arch, proclaiming Huntsville as “Ontario’s Premiere Summer and Winter Vacationland”.

The idea for the sign, erected in 1932, came from Harold Briggs, chairman of the publicity committee of the Huntsville Board of Trade. As noted in the Forester newspaper in May 1932, “It is proposed to make the new Welcome Arch a sort of family affair by including in the stone pillars a miscellaneous collection of odd stones. This will give individual citizens an opportunity to make a contribution toward the actual construction and will enliven interest in the undertaking both immediately and permanently.” (“Huntsville with Spirit and Resolve”, Susan Pryke, Fox Meadow, p. 209.)

Huntsville was also long known as the gateway to Algonquin Park. We acknowledge the passing of longtime supporter, advocate and Friend of Algonquin Park, George Garland, certainly called to a higher gateway. Our sympathy and gratitude go out to the family and many friends of Mr. Garland.