History of the Land

Cobble Beach was initiated in 1998 with a development plan sensitive to the interest of the Chippewas of Nawash Unceded First Nation and the site's historical significance. In 1999, a significant three-year cultural and archaeological study was undertaken and endorsed by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation - the most comprehensive study of its kind in Grey County.


The study identified 26 Native and Euro-Canadian archaeological sites within the 574-acres property. Although local legend might have suggested otherwise, a ground penetrating radar survey confirmed there was no evidence the land contained the grave site of Catherine Sutton (Nahnebahwequa). To permanently safeguard the most culturally sensitive of these archaeological sites (including homestead ruins, artifact scatters and cultural rock formations), a series of 13 heritage zones were established before construction of the golf course began in the summer of 2004. Trails marked by heritage sites explore the area’s Native culture and Euro-Canadian heritage, reflecting Cobble Beach’s commitment to preserving the land and its history.
 
Cobble Beach’s iconic lighthouse near the 17th green and 18th tee on the shoreline of Georgian Bay is another tribute to the area's history. It is a testament to the historic and old-world nature of the property that dates back to 1803 when the British admiralty used two spots along the Georgian Bay shoreline at Cobble Beach as survey points.

 Before the Cobble Beach development, the site was used as pasture land without evidence of previous cultivation. Most of the golf course lands were extensively covered with glacial erratics.

During the five-year planning period between conception and ground-breaking for the project, Cobble Beach engaged the community in extensive consultations seeking their input. The result is a world-class development of which the area can be proud.