The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

page 4 ELGIN HOTEL 1900 - 1967 HISTORY OF EMPIRE-ELGIN HOTEL The original owner of the property upon which this white frame building stands was George W. Brown. The date of construction of the original building is not known, and has not been dis- covered engraved anywhere in the stone foundation. (1) Little information is to be found of the first owners of the hotel until in 1893 the "Enpire Hotel" was bought by P.J. Fahey of Newboro, from Mr. Anthony Hart(2) After selling the hotel, Mr. Hart moved to Prescott. Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Fahey and their two children, Jack and Cal, took possession in May of that year. At that time the hotel was heated by several wood and coal stoves, throughout the building. It was lighted by coal-oil lamps - a table holding the lamps was located at the head of the front stairs. Several bracket lamps lighted the long halls and the large rooms, these included a reading room, a dining room, a sample room, (3), and a kitchen. In 1905 Patrick Fahey moved his family to the house behind the old Bank of Montreal while a new addition was built onto the original building.(4) Included in this new addition were a bar-room, eight bedrooms and a bath, and some private living quarters, a living room, dining room, and kitchen. In the early days when horses were the only means of transportation, a barn or stable was built; also a long open shed with a hall above it. This hall was used for dances, concerts, and meetings. In fact Sir John A. ~2e202ald.cscsaaadressed-héz political followers there. During these years, travellers or representatives from wholesale houses came and brought ten or more trunks filled with samples. These large trunks of wares were displayed in the sample room. The merchants from the surrounding area came to order what they wanted, but only enough to do over until the traveller returned. The travellers arrived in Philipsville by the Brockville-Westport train. Local farmers served as taxis in transporting travellers from Philipsville station to the Empire Hotel. (5) It has often been said that one thing the travelling public was assured of upon visiting the hotel was a good homeâ€" cooked meal. The hotel had been in the Fahey family for over fifty years, when in May of 1946 it was sold to George O'Connor of Ottawa. Mr. O'Connor left the business in the management of Mr. Timothy Murphy, although it was in Mr. Murphy's wife‘s name - Mrs. Adah M. Murphy. This couple LYNDHURST SHOP BARBER HOURS MONDAY - Closed TUESDAY - FRIDAY - 9:00 to 3:00 6:00 to 9:00 (closed Wed. evening) SATURDAY - 9:00 to 4:00 Ken Burns Proprietor PHONE: 928-2640 ran the hotel for a year, and made many friends in the area before returning to Ottawa. Vernon Charles Courneya bought the Empire Hotel in August of 1947- He, his wife and two daughters, moved to Eflgin and upon arriving they did more redecorating than actual renovating. The whole interior of the upstairs underwent a face lifting. During the year in which they operated the hotel, business expanded terrifically. This was because Bell Telephone workmen in the area and a large construction crew who were building highway number 15 around rather than through Elgin, often frequented the premises. About the most exciting eVent in the time of Vernon Courneya's ownership was the occasion of an accident. A couple from Delta collided with a truck delivering beer. No one was seriously hurt, but there was mass confusion. The streets were covered with beer, glass, and respectable but dfirsty citizens, keen on the prospect of free refreshments. The truck driver, trying to save his haul, police officers and newsmen added to the general chaos. There were many red faces when in the next evening's news, some of the freeloaders found themselves caught in the act by a newsman's unsuSpected candid camera! In 1948 Mr. Courneya sold the Empire Hotel to Joseph Casey. Mr. Courneya moved in August of that year, after buying the By-way Lodge outside of Deep River. The hotel underwent more remodeling under the management of Mr. Casey. It was Mr. Casey who changed the name of the hotel from the "Empire Hotel" to the "Elgin Hotel". In 1950 the hotel again changed hands. This time it was sold to Agnes McGee. Miss McGee operated the hotel until her marriage to Oscar Coleman. . William Wheeler, from Toronto, took possession of the hotel in 1954. There were more extensive renovations under Mr. Wheeler‘s ownership. The building and equipment were in dire need of modernization. In addition to new kitchen, dining room and plumbing equipment, a new heating system was installed. Mr. Wheeler ran the business successfully until his death in December of 1961. Mr. Wheeler's wife, Prances.and son, Bruce, continued to operate the hotel until Mrs. Wheeler‘s death in April of 1964. Bruce continued the operation of the hotel, but in 1965 he left Tlgin to study at Toronto University in the School of Pharmacy. He managed the hotel from this vantage point until January of 1967. This business has prospered in Elgin for over three-quarters of a century. It has helped the village economy as well as provided a public place for socializing. WW (1) The original building is the rectangular section edging Main and Perth Streets - the front part of the hotel. (2) "Empire Hotel" â€" hotel's original name (3) A sample room was one in which travellers displayed their wares to the local merchants. (4) The old Bank of Montreal is situated between B.A. Campbell's hardware store and E.J. Kenney's plumbing shop, Main St., Elgin. (5) Mrs. C.J. Myers, - Mr. Myers lived and farmed in Philipsville, and earned extra money transporting travellers. 0“.oc" o g" o-‘. 0“, 0", .q" ..‘, .g‘, -¢\’ V'AMES FLATMAN LTD. CONSULTING ENGINEERS and LAND SURVEYORS OFFICE 43 KING STREET WEST BROCKVILLE, ONTARIO K6V 3P7 TELEPHONE (613) 3450963 RED CROSS Red Cross Month in North Leeds found volunteer canvassers seekâ€" ing financial assistance in the municipalities of North Crosby, Westport, Newboro, Bastard, South Crosby and the Rear of Leeds aid Lansdowne. By helping to keep the North Leeds sub-branch in operation we are ensuring the continuation of the Homemaker and Loan Cupboard Services as well as the water safety program held at several township beaches. It must not be forgotten, also that many of our residents hospitalized in nearby towns and cities depend on blood collected at Red Cross clinics. A gathering will be held April 23 at the Rideau District High School to show appreciation to those who gave of their time. Following a report on the campaign results there will be a social hour. The subâ€"branch welcomes members from all areas of North Leeds. If you are interested in partici: pating call 359â€"5514. In the event that you, your business or your community group has not been approached by a Red Cross canvasser, you are welcome to send a donation, payable to the Canadian Red Cross to Mr. Ken Fuller, P.O.Box 155, Portland, Ontario. KOG 1E0 ??????????????v ? g SECOND HAND ' SHOPPE . ? OPENING APRIL 15 0”. IN LYNDHURST (across from Post Office) : CONSIGNMENTS ACCEPTED 7 ON ALL SALEABLE ARTICLES o "NO LIVESTOCK PLEASE" T ? ??”????????? rt