As early as 1875, people began to travel to Grand Bend from London and Detroit via rail and stagecoach to enjoy vacation time there. Enough of an effort had to be put in that people stayed in Grand Bend for weeks, sometimes months, before heading back to the dulldrum of their everyday lives.
Ford picnics began to occur regulary, the only criteria being that you needed a Ford vehicle to attend. Sometimes as many as 16,000 people attended. Festivities lasted for entire weekends. The 1920’s brought the establishment of the Lakeview Casino, and many of the world’s top entertainment acts to Grand Bend. Stars like Rudy Vallee, Louis Armstrong, and Guy Lombardo played there.
In 1957, the Government of Canada purchased the land now known as Pinery Provincial Park, reserving it for public use.
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