This post covers Stewarts Island on Lake Muskoka in Bala Bay, including its former name Beatty Island and an older map reference you may see: Cunningham Island.

If you searched “Stewarts Island Lake Muskoka” or “Beatty Island Lake Muskoka”, you’re looking at the same island. Beatty is the historic name; modern charts typically show Stewarts Island.

A classic Stewarts Island view – Bala Bay, Lake Muskoka.

Quick answers

Where is Stewarts Island?
Stewarts Island is in Bala Bay on Lake Muskoka, near the Moon River outlet area.

Is Beatty Island the same as Stewarts Island?
Yes. Beatty Island is the former name, and the cottage later appears on charts as Stewarts Island.

What about Cunningham Island?
Older maps (pre-1930) often refer to the property as Cunningham Island, tied to early ownership.

Stewarts Island, Bala Bay – why the location matters

Bala Bay sits at the outlet where Lake Muskoka drains toward the Moon River system. In higher-water years, this is one of the areas where buyers need to pay closer attention to elevation, dock/boathouse design, and the way current and debris behave near the outlet.

Bala Bay is compact, busy, and close to the outlet – it’s part of what makes this corner of Lake Muskoka feel different.

That doesn’t make it “bad” – it makes it a spot where smart due diligence matters.

For a lake-wide overview (including Bala Bay and the Moon River outlet), see our Lake Muskoka guide.

A short history of Beatty Island, later Stewarts Island

From the historical record in Old Muskoka: Century Cottages and Old Estates by Liz Lundell:

• Beatty Island was the summer home of John Thomas Cunningham of Allegheny, Pennsylvania.
• The cottage was later owned by the Shaw family, and it now appears on charts as Stewarts Island.
• Land registry references also show the names “Beatty” and “Belle” (from the original 1876 survey naming).
• Many maps made before 1930 refer to the property as Cunningham Island.

The cottage – what made it notable

The cottage is described as a Victorian-era Muskoka build with practical summer-living design and unusually decorative detailing for an island property.

The gingerbread-era detailing is one of the reasons this property shows up in Muskoka history writing – this is a unique build.

Details noted in the book include:

• A board-and-batten exterior
• Decorative gable detailing (including sunburst-style grilles), latticework, and carved elements
• A deep verandah wrapping around the house
• Sleeping-porch style spaces in the gables (a classic Muskoka approach to hot nights before modern cooling)

The book also notes the cottage faced south, with a long view down toward Torrance Bay.

Steamers, a wharf, and the front dock

A unique arrival dock On Stewarts Island, Lake Muskoka that makes sense once you know steamers and supply boats used to land here.

Before roads and marinas shaped how most people move around Muskoka, islands like this were built around a proper landing point. Old Muskoka notes that passenger steamers from Gravenhurst could land at a wharf on the southwest side of the island. Day-to-day supplies were delivered straight to the front dock by supply boats – including groceries, fresh bread, and butchered meats. The book also mentions the Packer family running early supply service in the Bala area, first from the Devonshire and later the Onaganoh.

It’s a small detail, but it makes the island feel more “real” – this wasn’t just a cottage, it was a working summer routine with a defined way of arriving.

A quick drift near Stewarts Island – Bala Bay, Lake Muskoka.

Shaw era changes, then later restoration

Under the Shaw family, the book describes a series of functional improvements – including changes to interior finishes, enclosed verandah space, and updates aimed at comfort and views.

Later, the property passed through descendants, and in 1994 the island was purchased after a period of neglect. The book notes the roof was in poor condition and the original boathouse required shoring before restoration work began.

One modern detail that ties neatly back to the island’s steamer-era story: Old Muskoka notes that the present owners chose a nautical weather vane in honour of Cunningham, who is credited with inventing a steamship governor.

Buying an island cottage in Bala Bay – the practical lens

Island properties can be the dream in July, but the logistics show up year-round. Even on a central lake, buyers are committing to boats, hauling supplies, and planning around shoulder seasons.

In Bala Bay specifically, the buyer lens should also include water-level history and how docks/boathouses handle current and debris in higher-water periods.

Buyer checklist (non-legal, practical):

• Ask what happened on the property in the major high-water years (owners often have photos or clear memories).
• Look for physical clues on cribbing and boathouse posts (water lines, staining, repairs).
• Talk to an insurer early if there’s an older, low boathouse or tight elevation.
• For any rebuild plans, confirm what is realistically achievable under current rules before you emotionally commit.

If you’re early in your research, our Definitive Guide to Buying a Cottage in Muskoka is a good starting point.

Inherited an older dock or crib? Read The $50,000 Rock before you assume it’s a simple weekend fix.

Sources and further reading

I’m not kidding when I say this is the best Muskoka book out there. We keep a few copies of Liz Lundell’s Old Muskoka at our office – and it’s the reference behind the Beatty Island (now Stewarts Island) story.

• • Old Muskoka: Century Cottages and Old Estates by Liz Lundell. This is one of the best books on Muskoka – and my absolute favourite.
  • Lake Muskoka guide – our lake-wide overview, including Bala Bay and the Moon River outlet.