Germania

Introduction

Germania is a small Muskoka hamlet that was first settled in the 1860s. It began as a small lumber and farming community. By the mid 1870s, it included a school and a Lutheran Church. Not surprisingly, many of the original settlers originated from Germany.

Germania’s best days came during the mid-1880s when the population grew as high as 150. By then the community included two stores, a post office, blacksmith and a busy shingle mill. Besides the Lutheran Church, they also added a Methodist Church.

Germania began to decline by the early 1900s due to depletion of lumber supplies and poor farming conditions. Although the soil was reasonably good quality, the growing season was extremely short which hurt Gemania’s prospects for agriculture.

Today Germania remains a rural backwater that continues to support a small population. Due to the growth of nearby centres, such as Orillia and Bracebridge, Germania managed to hold on and even attract a few new residents. As a result, the community restored the schoolhouse, which is now in use as a community centre. The Gilbert Lutheran Church is in beautiful condition and still holds occasional services. Learn more