The Saucy Willow Inn wins Osprey Heritage Award

Kawartha Lakes – Kawartha Lakes is pleased to congratulate The Saucy Willow Inn and its owners, Stephanie and David Jukes, on winning the Osprey Heritage Award for Heritage Restoration/Adaptive Reuse.

This award celebrates the hard work and care that went into restoring the historic inn. The owners took great pride in using local artists, local materials, and traditional methods to bring the building’s historic charm back to life. Their efforts show how important community effort is when it comes to protecting our shared history.

"This building and property that we now call the Saucy Willow Inn, has held many stories over its 148 years, and we feel privileged to help carry them forward,” said Stephanie Jukes. “Receiving the Osprey Heritage Award is a meaningful reminder that preserving the past while welcoming the future truly matters."

Conserving and preserving heritage places is an important part of the work done by the Heritage Advisory Committee in Kawartha Lakes. This work wouldn’t be possible without dedicated community members and businesses who are willing to protect meaningful historic buildings. The Saucy Willow Inn is a wonderful example of how a historic property can be preserved while still meeting modern-day needs.

Built in 1878, The Saucy Willow Inn is a rare and beautiful example of a Victorian farmhouse in Coboconk. The building features multi-toned brick, steep roofs, decorative wood trim, and detailed brickwork. It was built by local merchant Adam Carl, who owned much of the land on the island at the time and was the first person to open a business in Coboconk.

After Carl lived in the farmhouse for several decades, the building was sold in 1921 to five men from Lakewood, Ohio. They turned it into a private fishing club called The Lakewood Club, later renamed Lakewood Lodge. In 1927, the property was sold to Bertha Cayton, who operated it as a resort lodge with rental units and cabins. Over the years, several owners continued to run the building as an inn.

While additions have been made over time to improve comfort for guests, the building has kept its original character and is still easy to recognize in historic photographs.

Today, Stephanie and David Jukes continue this long tradition. They have focused on the inn’s role in the community and are committed to honouring its past while offering a warm and welcoming place for locals and visitors alike. Their work ensures that The Saucy Willow Inn remains a living part of Coboconk’s history for years to come.

Learn more about the Osprey Heritage awards online on the Kawartha Lakes website.