[Compiled by Anne Wright, Cottage 3A]
In August of 1925, David E. Kennedy of Guelph, Ontario, Cottage 1A and Gerald A. Wilson of Detroit, Michigan, Cottage 2A purchased from Robert McCosh all of his property lying to the west of the main road for $3,000.
Excerpts from the August 17, 1925 Agreement between Robert T. McCosh and David E. Kennedy and Gerald A. Wilson:
“Where in the party of the first part agrees to sell to the parties of the second part all of his property lying to the West of the Main Road being the west part of lot 33 and 34 in Concession A on Lake Range of Huron Township extending to the Lake front, containing thirty-five acres more or less …”
“Mr. Robt. T. McCosh as long as he resides in the above said farm has the use of the orchard, pasture land and fallen timber, in exchange for which he agrees to cut the hay and grass of the land to June 1st of each year.”
“It is distinctly understood and agreed to by both parties hereto that this agreement is entered into with the intention that Bruce Beach Association shall be given the opportunity of taking over the property within one year from this date, August 17, 1925, as a golf course, by reimbursing those who have made expenditures in this connection.”
The property was already in use as a golf course and it was originally hoped that the Bruce Beach Association or the Bruce Beach Golf Club would form a company and take over ownership of the property. Ultimately, however, it was decided that it would be preferable for the ownership to go to cottagers opposite McCosh property and that a company should be formed on that basis. In the minutes of the Golf Club meeting of August 1, 1926, Mr. Kennedy stated, “In the meantime, Dr. Wilson and myself wish to assure the cottagers that our only wish is to make this Beach a permanent place of rest and keep it as it has always been.”
On August 10, 1926, a meeting was held of cottagers whose property was behind the McCosh property and organization of a company was discussed and agreed upon. James S. Anderson was elected as President (although he died before the company was actually incorporated and W. A. Bradley wasselected), Angus Munn as Honorary President, and D.E. Kennedy, J. M. Young, Gerald A. Wilson and Duncan Munn as directors.
The company was officially incorporated October 9, 1926 and By-law No. 43 authorized the purchase of the property already described from Messrs. Kennedy and Wilson for $3,000.
Excerpts from minutes of Company meetings:
August 2, 1930:
“…the recommendation of the Board to charge non-shareholders an annual fee of $6.00 for use of McCosh Hill be approved…”
“Moved … that there be no Sunday golf on the Property at any time of the year and that R. T. McCosh is hereby authorized to eject people playing golf or otherwise misbehaving.”
“It was unanimously agreed that hereafter all buildings to be erected on the Company’s property be subject to the consent of the Property Committee.”
July 29, 1933:
“… that permission be granted the Golf Club to erect a Club House near No. 1 Tee.”
August 11, 1934:
“Commencing with the season of 1935, every fully paid share in McCosh Grove, Limited shall carry with it free golf privileges.”
[Note: there was considerable discussion of these golfing privileges for several years but they were cancelled in 1950, although in 1951 shareholders were allowed a $2.00 credit per share against the playing fee.]
August 11, 1934: [Directors’ meeting]
“The Directors decided to grant the request of the Tennis Club to construct a Tarvia Court on the old tennis courts behind the Club House.” [Note: evidently representatives of the Golf Club had some reservations about this decision as the question was raised at several meetings]
“It was pointed out that the Tennis Club had done much work on the site in the past years, leveling the ground and putting cinders on it. It was explained that the Golf Club wished to use the space occupied by the old Tennis Courts to practise “approaching and putting”. The opinion of the meeting was that “approaching and putting” was impracticable because of the necessity of moisture for maintaining grass, and in any case, the Tennis Club was entitled to first consideration.”
August 18, 1934: [Directors meeting]
“…That, whereas consent has been given to cottagers for the erection of garages and other buildings on the Company’s property, a rental charge of fifty cents per annum be made to those who have erected buildings …”
August 12, 1939:
“… the Tennis Club be allowed to build another tennis court to be located by the Property Committee. It was agreed to allow the Bowling Club the ground beside the new Tennis Court.”
August 29, 1949:
“… it was unanimously agreed that we extend an invitation to Tout Grove Association to join McCosh Grove, Limited and that we issue two shares of McCosh Grove, Limited stock for each one of the Tout Grove Association.” [Note: I could find no further reference to this matter. I can only assume that Tout’s Grove rejected our advances.]
August 5, 1950: [Directors meeting]
“Mr. W. C. Thompson addressed the directors in connection with the possibility of McCosh Grove, Limited buying certain properties from Eugene Schweitzer situated to the rear of the cottages at the south end of the beach.”
July 26, 1952:
“… it was finally decided that all cottagers including #29 and south be given the suggestion that a donation of $5.00 from each cottage would probably contribute largely to reinstate the company in a solvent position.”
August 18, 1956:
“… that the following assessment be made to each cottage owner from Tout Grove on the north to the most southerly cottage using McCosh Hill:
$5.00 per year for each cottage where the owner is a McCosh Grove shareholder;
$7.00 per year for each cottage where the owner is not a McCosh Grove shareholder.”
Purchase of Schweitzer’s Grove:
At a special meeting of the directors held September 1, 1956, it was agreed that McCosh Grove, Limited would purchase the property known as Schweitzer’s Grove. The purchase price was to be 18 shares of McCosh Grove, Limited, one share to each of the eighteen cottage owners. This was carried out the following year and McCosh Grove, Limited acquired the Deed to the property in July, 1957.
August 23, 1969:
“Moved … that this meeting approve of having golf on Sunday on the McCosh Grove, Limited property.”