Cottage of the Week: $4 million for a classic Muskoka cabin on a private Lake Joseph island

The history: James Campbell purchased the island from the Crown in 1884 for $89.00. The Forman family bought the land in 1899, and used it as a “picnic island.” The place was uninhabited until the current owners completed this cottage in 2003.

Big selling point: The house should have major appeal for anyone who loves a traditional Muskoka cottage. The fireplace is made partially of local stones, the pine wainscoting was milled from trees that were cleared for the cottage construction and the bark wall treatments come from birches growing on the owner’s family property in Maine.

Possible deal breaker: The island location is super-private, but forget about easy runs to the corner store: everything from picking up milk to taking out the garbage requires a boat ride.

By the numbers:

• $3,995,000 • $24,839 in taxes (2013) • 2900 square feet • 1948 feet of shoreline • 12 years old • 5 bedrooms • 4 bathrooms • 3-bay boathouse