In many ways and for many people, the Point is the hub of the community - and it has been since the earliest days. It has hosted a variety of business and activities which have continued on to today.

     The Point Restaurant, originally a grocery, was opened in the late 30's or early 40's by Allan and Elva Armstrong - who also owned a store in Kilmaurs where they worked in the winter. This photo included Lois Milford with Keith and Dalton Armstrong. Lois was hired to mind the children.

     The original building was a just a cottage with a wide screened varandah. During the summer business was brisk selling groceries and ice cream. The Point beach was a very popular spot for people to come to swim which really helped generate even more business.













     Swimmers could rent lockers beside the store for a dime and still have money left to purchase cones for the family at a nickel each.

     Many years later the original building burned down and was eventually rebuilt. It has changed hands many times and has been a restaurant and bar for many years. The advertisement above was found in a 1972 issue of the Torbolton Cottager.

     The two photos below were taken in 2002 and show the Point Lounge and it's well known logo as we know it.

         In the early thirties, the "Ship" was moored on the other side of the Point. It was basically a resort and dance hall that offered some competion for the Whip.


     The Point was a great place to get together with friends for a bean bake and a monster bonfire. During the summer, the Point was always busy. It was a great gathering place, but best of all it offered the most spectacular view of the Gatineau Hills.

     Seventy years later, the Point is still very popular as can be witnessed by the long line of cars parked around the area on any Sunday afternoon.

     This picture (above right) could have been taken last week - but it was taken in the early 40's at the Point. Judging by this picture, when it comes to fun at the Point - Time appears to have stood still.

   This old photo at left (courtesy Helen Wilson - Torbolton by the River) was, until recently, the only known picture of the Whip-Poor-Will Dance Pavilian!
   The original "Whip" as it was known, was first built sometime in the late 1920's. It was located at the corner of what is now Albirch and Constance Bay Road.

   The "Whip-poor-will" that most of us are familiar with was built in the 80's. The original "Whip" was located farther back (north) from this building. This building was originally a restaurant and later became our medical centre. It is now vacant.

   This map brought with it several surprises. The original Whip-poor-will Dance Pavilian can be identified at the corner of Constance Bay Road, but we were surprised to find that Allbirch was, at that time, known as Alpine Street.
   In fact, we discovered that many of our streets had been renamed since this map was issued. If you look closely, you'll find the original ball diamond and the rink located on Baldwin Street and the location of our existing community centre is simply identified as "hall" and the street was called Pearl Street on one end and 10th Street on the other. You will also notice that there actually was a working lighthouse located near the present day Lighthouse Restaurant. Bishop Davis was then called 7th Street. St Gabriel's, the Point, the Fire Hall and the original gas bar are all clearly identified on this map. Clearly, there's been lots of changes.

   This photo was taken in 1936 and was identified as being Alpine Street in the area of what is now 262 Albirch. We're not sure when, but Alpine Street was eventually renamed Allbirch.
   In this photo, you can clearly see that the road was barely two ruts and the surrounding brush that encroached on the road. Passing vehicles was not an option.

   This photo is the only photo of the Whip that we have ever seen with the exception of the one at the top of this page. It was donated by Lloyd Honeywell and was identified as having been taken in 1936. The excerpt below was taken with permission from Torbolton by the River
   The Whip-Poor-Will Dance Pavilion was run by Bob and Fran Smith. It was very popular with the country young people who came in crowds on Saturday nights in the 1930's and early 40's. There was a post office there, a booth for drinks and ice cream and a wonderful screened in veranda that enclosed the dance floor.
   Ralph and Doug Davis along with Anna Teevans were hired for the season to provide the music for dancing. Those who were not dancing stood around outside enjoying the music and the opportunity to mingle with other "singles".
   Residents enjoyed popular "round" dancing on Saturday night with orchestras brought in from Ottawa or up the Valley. On Friday nights, square and round dancing was enjoyed. Friday nights attracted the farm community with featured music by Buck's Moonlight Orchestra.
   Bob Smith used to get angry and scold the crowd for not coming in to dance. The young men used to buy tickets for 10¢ to be allowed to take their partner on the dance floor for one dance. Bob felt he was loosing money if they didn't pay. After dancing all evening folks would walk or hitch a ride down to the Lighthouse where they would sit around a bonfire.
   In later years, the Whip was used for bake sales and meetings. Eventually the old building succumbed to fire.

     This photo is believed to have been taken in 1946. The view is down Constance Bay Road looking down towards the river.

     Up until the early 80's Tommy and George McConnel ran a grocery here during the summer. This 2002 photo shows the gasbar which now is located at this spot.

     This rare photo of the Miss Bayview was taken around 1970.

     The Miss Bayview was located on Buckham's Bay on Bayview Drive near Len Purcell. The Miss Baview was just one of many small stores that serviced the area.

     By the mid 80's it was in pretty bad shape and was eventually torn down. Many plans for the property have been considered over the years including a marina. In 2002 the property went up for sale again.

     The Ralph Davis Band was very big in the 40's - playing at every church social, community center and dance hall in the area.

     Seen here from the left is George Buck, George Monk, Ralph Davis, Bob Buck Sr., Anna Teevans and their caller Mr Falls.

     After dancing the night away everyone would walk or hitch a ride to the Lighthouse where they celebrated with a bonfire.

     One of the most important landmarks in Constance Bay is our Fire Station. This 1982 photo shows that it wasn't always the most modern facilty. In the "old days" the fire fighters would huddle around a fire in a 40 gallon drum after completing their practice or returning from a fire. The fire fighters used to jokingly brag that they'd "never lost a foundation". They may not be from New York City - but they're our hero's!

     The Edgewood Golf and Country Club has always been an important part of Constance Bay. The original facilities, as seen in this 1967 photo, burned down and have since been rebuilt.

     The advertisement above was found in a 1972 issue of The Cottager. You should notice that a round of golf only cost $3!