"A study of the Slogan Cancellations pertaining to the
Muskoka Free Hospital For Consumptives"
(This article was written by me originally for
the Muskoka Postmark which is the journal of the Muskoka Postal Study Group with
some additional material and a few changes)
Muskoka, for over a century, has been a popular tourist
destination. During this time, a large number of resorts, hotels and inns have
come and gone across the district. However, tourists were not the only people to
come and ‘visit’ Muskoka. People suffering from a variety of problems came here
as well. The quality of the air at the turn of the century, was considered very
suitable for people who were suffering from lung related diseases, the most
common being consumption or tuberculosis. In 1902 the Provincial Government of
the day decided that a hospital for consumptives was needed. The Muskoka
Sanitarium was completed that year approximately two miles north-west of
Gravenhurst.
A
Valentine & Sons Postcard view of the Muskoka Cottage Sanitarium during its
early days
The Sanitarium was granted Post Office
status in 1910, this being located on the premises. The facility was large
enough to issue and cash money orders. The M.O.O.N. (Money Order Office Number)
was #4272. The Sanitarium Post Office had a "Pitney-Bowes" automatic cancelling
machine even before the Gravenhurst Post Office had one. When the Sanitarium
closed in 1960, this cancelling machine was sold for scrap and it has been
rumoured that the selling price was a mere $50.00.
Sanitarium Postmasters
W.J. Gage
(November 1, 1910 to March24, 1922)
Dr. Walter Bingham Kenhall
(May 19, 1922 to March 4, 1941)
Dr. Henry Clever Purvis Hazlewood
(September 16, 1941 to September 23, 1944)
Dr. Charles Brown Ross
(March 22, 1945 to June 25, 1960)
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