These retro photos show cottaging through the ages

This photo from around 1913 shows two boys proudly displaying a catch that would still be worth celebrating today. This photo was taken in Algonquin National Park.

This log cabin was at Long Lake, New Brunswick, and the photo was taken in the 1910s. This cabin, with its simple construction and casually-leaning oar, has a rustic aura modern-day cottagers strive to re-create.

Here's what a swim day at the lake looked like in the early 1900s. This photo is an early form of colour photography called autochrome.

Just a typical day enjoying the weather at the cottage . . . in the late 1800s. These cottage idlers in New Hampshire may not be as casually dressed as modern cottagers, but they're certainly enjoying their day out in nature.

This photo might look like a modern-day American campsite, but it's actually Sweden in the 1950s. We love the old camper in the background.

This shot is from a waterskiing show at Big Gull Lake in southeast Ontario.

These girl guides and brownies are visiting Camp Mazinaw (at Lake Mazinaw in Ontario) in 1950.

Nearly 100 years later, this is still our dream lake house. Check out the gazebo near the water.

Cottage partiers have always been causing trouble for the neighbours, as this sign from the 1940s shows.

Another incredible waterskiing shot from Kirk Cove, Ontario, in the fifities or sixties. Let's bring this back!

This is another dream vacation house, this one in New Hampshire. The photo was taken sometime between 1900 and 1920.

A mystery woman show's off the day's catch. Pretty impressive!

A guest pulls in at Kirk Kove Cottages in Ontario. This photo has true classic camp vibes.