The Severn Lodge location dates back to the mid 1800's when our Main Lodge building served as one of the headquarters for the Georgian Bay Lumber Company. The coastal waters along the shores of Georgian Bay and the many inland lakes and rivers, served as major transportation routes for the logs to reach the mills where they were then cut into lumber and shipped to nearby markets in southern Ontario and Northern United States.

When the Ontario logging era concluded in the 1870's the Mordolphton Club from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania purchased the property. Being situated in the midst of Ontario’s beautiful Muskoka – Georgian Bay lakelands, the Mordolphton Club was attracted to the spectacular geography of the area. Its' giant outcroppings of granite and quartz rock, the pine woods, the clear waters, and of course, the fine Muskoka fishing were the prime attractions.

The Mordolphtons traveled by private Pullman coach from Pittsburgh to the Canadian National Railway station in Waubaushene. There, baggage was transferred to a steamship that then took them across Georgian Bay to Port Severn. Here, they would portage over what was then a waterfalls and rapids to the Mordolphton launch that would complete their journey. The trip from the Waubaushene train station to Severn Lodge took nearly a 1/2 day. Today, Waubaushene is only 10 minutes via highway.

In the early 1920's the Mordolphton Camp was sold to George Barrick and Glen Crummel of Akron, Ohio. It was at this time that it was renamed Severn Lodge and opened to the public. In 1928 William H. "Bill" Breckbill, then a high school student, began working summers at Severn Lodge. He worked his way through various positions and eventually became the general manager. Then, in the fall of 1936, Bill purchased the Muskoka lodge, thus beginning his life long love affair with Severn Lodge.

In 1940 he married Jeanne E. Krammes. Jeanne was the ultimate hostess. She welcomed guests up on arrival, and during their stays always made them feel at home. During World War II she operated the Lodge herself for the years when Bill was in Europe in the army. When guests departed she always read a poem that she had composed herself about their week at the Lodge. Often times there were tears upon leaving. She could often be seen chatting with guests at their tables during meal times or catching up on family news while sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch. Jeanne always made guests feel welcome at Severn Lodge and continued to play an active roll well into her 70's.

In 1973 Bill and Jeanne's son Ron joined the family business, and in 1977 older brother Rick joined the business after having spent 8 years working for Eastman Kodak Company. Bill and Jeanne were active in the business until 1982 when Bill had a dehabilitating stroke that put an end to his involvement in the business. He spent the next 3 summers at the Muskoka lodge before passing away in October 1985. Jeanne remained active for several years after, and then passed away in 1994. Their picture hangs on the wall in the first floor lobby of the Main Lodge, a tribute to their many years at Severn Lodge.

The love Bill and Jeanne had for Severn Lodge was passed on to their sons Rick and Ron, who took over after Bill and Jeanne's retirement. They, along with their wives have operated the Lodge together until 2007 when Ron and Cindee retired from Severn Lodge to run Logpointe Housekeeping Cottages. Their children, Erin and Katie, and Rick and Sue's children Sam, Hilary, and Stacy have also been an important part of Severn Lodge over the years. Also in 2007, with Ron and Cindee's departure, Sam joined the family business with his wife Holly. All of the Breckbills are proud that Severn Lodge has been in their family since 1937 and continue the Ontario resort tradition started so many years ago.