Delawana Inn

Nickerson and his wife Anne, had operated a store in Midland for twelve years, a sawmill, Nickerson Brothers' Mills in Hogg's Bay, (Victoria Harbour) and with his sons Albert and Charles, established the hotel known as the Victoria House on the present site of The Delawana Inn & Resort.

Guests had the use of boats, meals were supplied, picnic lunches created, and ice cream and confectioneries were available.

In the 1920s, Charles Nickerson, Nathan's son, sold Victoria House to the Grisé brothers; they had operated The Royal Hotel (a four storey building with a dock c. 1903 and closed mid 1970s then demolished) across the channel on Royal Island.

Fred Grisé, who had managed a liquor store in Penetanguishene until prohibition ended that venture, took over the operation of the mainland hotel.

Lighting was by acetylene, water was heated by wood, laundry was done by hand and huge icehouses provided refrigeration.

He hired dietitians to work in the kitchen; telephones were available twenty-four hours a day, CNR telegrams were sent and received, and running water was installed during the war years.

The new main building contained ten rooms, which qualified The Delawana for a beer and wine license.

In the 1970s the bar of the Delawana Inn was the site of violent confrontations between the Hells Angels and local Ojibwa families.