Wave’s Inn belonged to my “other grandmother “, Wava Armstrong- McDaniel -Baker . In 1942, Wava purchased about 12 acres of land on Franktown Road. Waves Inn was a cottage moved into town and there is not a foundation underneath it. I live in her daughter’s second house that is next door, 347. There are 7.5 acres of her land left untouched. The deer come out of the woods at night and eat all of my flowers!
My mom and Wava’s only child, Joan Hamilton, were best friends for 85 years until Joan passed away almost 2 years ago. We were family, just not biologically!
Arnie McDaniel and his dog Rexie pose for a photo in front of Wave’s Inn sometime in the 1940’s. Arnie’s wife Wava ran Wave’s Inn, which was located at 345 Franktown Road and was THE place to host a party or reception
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
12 Apr 1955, Tue • Page 15
Wava also had 5 or 6 cabins in her backyard. Room for one, maybe two, to sleep. There might be one left on my neighbour’s property. She rented them out to the guys who were working in the area, ie: highway, hydro, railway, etc. She made their breakfast and dinner as well as sending them off with a boxed lunch. As a kid I thought they were so much fun!
I remember at that time Wava was on the 12 acres by herself, but the cabins were all just behind the inn. Her bedroom was downstairs at the back and Joan had a tiny one upstairs. Joan and her husband Keith built their first house at 349 Franktown road in the late 70’s. Then the mall was built, so they built another house in between Wava’s at 345 and the first at 349, hence 347 which is where I now live.
It was all fields at the time of Wave’s Inn. No neighbours to complain about noise, but she ran a very tight ship ! She was small but mighty. Everyone adored her and treated her like their mom! When I was married in 85, my wedding pictures were taken by Jeff Mills in Wava’s beautiful garden.
Julie's Mother Doris's Memories
My mother Doris said there were only 3 cabins at Wava’s. The last one is still there close to the road and the owners sided it to match their house. Only room for one cot in each. I was at my mom’s this afternoon (she is 87) and she remembers two summers in a row when she was in high school and 3 university students from Toronto rented those cabins. They had a great time at the Inn.
Wava needed to earn money. She was widowed when her daughter was about 18 and she made the best pies anywhere and sold them. She also hosted dinner meetings for the men’s clubs in town. Obviously we weren’t into that in the 40’s and 50’s ! I asked my mom to keep thinking about the inn for the next day or two. She may come up with more. Bill Bigras was the best jive dancer in town. All of the girls wanted to dance with him!
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
08 Mar 1958, Sat • Page 43
BILL BIGRAS
War medals gleam away from media glare Bill Bigras click here
Canada’s Maple Leaf is the symbol of national unity.
In 1965, on Feb. 15, the red-and-white emblem was raised for the first time on Parliament Hill. The late Bill (William) Bigras, a Carleton Place resident and Korean War veteran, did the honours. Bill was a 50-plus year member of Legion Branch 192. In his youth, he was a serious paddler and as an adult, he was an avid hockey coach. He passed away in 2004. Read more here..
BIGRAS, William “Bill” In hospital, Carleton Place, Ontario on Wednesday, March 24th, 2004. Bill Bigras, at the age of 73 years. Loved husband of Doreen “Dodie” Bennett. Loved father of Kurt (Pat), Jocelyn, William and Angela (Pierre Seguin). Loved grandfather of Serge, Bianca, David, Jeremy, Joshua, Jessica and Sage. Loved great-grandfather of Rei-Ann. Dear brother of Mary Frazer, Margaret Hamilton and Georgette Turner. Survived by nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his brothers Normie, Lionel, Ronald and Oswald and sister Yvette.
BIRTH
29 Nov 1913Carleton Place, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada
DEATH
4 Aug 1997 (aged 83)
BURIAL
United Cemeteries
Beckwith, Lanark County, Ontario, Canada Show Map
PLOT
St. Fillans
Wava Marguerite Baker, daughter of Ernest Armstrong and Margaret Armstrong. Widow of Arnold McDaniel and Gerald Baker. Mother of Joan and Keith Hamilton, Carleton Place; sister of Lola (John) Moore, Carleton Place and Arthur (Ruth) Armstrong, Burke’s Falls. Predeceased Edith McBride, Howard and Milton “Tim” Armstrong.
By her wishes, created remains were placed with each husband– I cried when I read that..
Down At the Twist and Shout–Wave’s Inn
Interesting Tidbits — Frances Moore
Straight Outta Carleton Place High School — Wava McDaniel Baker
Documenting Franktown Road Before it Changes
Do You Know This Man? Wave’s Inn –Lorie Paul
This photo was taken in June of 1951. A teacher’s tea was held at Waves Inn on Franktown Road in honour of Mrs. Malloy who was retiring and Miss Cameron who was geting married.
Front Row (l-r): Margaret Galvin, Margaret Sturgeon, Iris Cameron, J.D. McAdam (Principal), Mary Malloy, Annie Anderson, Olive Robertson
Back Row (l-r): Dorothy Craig, Frances Churchill, Sadie Chamney, Janet Menzies, Hilda Cram, Alton Cassidy, Hector Dallamore (Music), Marray Kirkpatrick, Mary Cummings, Vivian Leach, Winnie McRostie, Verna Burnie, Stella McDiarmid, Leita Andison
lindaseccaspina 