Summer is officially here! Seeing the local beaches fill up is always one of my favorite parts of summer. One of the oldest in our area is Katy’s Cove in St. Andrews, having served as a popular swimming spot since the 1800s! Named after Katy McIntosh, who managed the original property; which was owned by her father.
In 1903, the The Canadian Pacific Railway took over the St. Andrews Land Company and began expanding the area as a tourist destination. This resulted in a renovation of the beach at Katy’s Cove, including the installation of a drainage causeway, as well as the construction of the nearby Algonquin Hotel and golf course. By 1907, the beach was being used as exclusive “bathing area” for hotel guests.
By 1970, however, ownership of the land had been transferred to the town of St. Andrews. From this point on, it transitioned to a popular public beach, including a canteen and volleyball courts. Eventually though, the beach began to see a decline in use and a deteriorating state of upkeep. This changed in 2019, when local residents teamed once again with the Algonquin Resort to re-vitalize the area.
Today, the beach is once again a favorite place for locals to cool off on a hot summer day. Do you plan on visiting Katy’s Cove this summer?
