A Page of History
Built in 1874...The Lake View House Hotel welcomed passengers travelling by stagecoach
With the arrival of the railroad, the hotel became very popular. It catered to well-to-do families and celebrities from across Canada, including the Honorable Arthur Meighen, Sir Wilfrid Laurier and the Right Honorable Robert Borden, former Prime Ministers of Canada..
The guests were greeted at the train station then transported to the hotel in horse-drawn carts.
During the summer, there was croquet, tennis and romantic boat rides on the lake. Saturday nights, the hotel’s spacious hall would come alive with the music of an orchestra; it was the gathering place of vacationers and local folks.
Upon setting foot in The Lakeview Inn, you can immediately feel all the grandeur and enchantment of a glorious past. You can also read the history of the Inn and see nostalgic pictures on the walls.
Throughout the establishment you will notice the concern for authenticity in each detail and in the superb collection of antiques.
Sadly, due to economically hard times in the country, the Lake View House Hotel went into decline. Then, in 1986, Ronald Blair, a businessman with a passion for history and antiques, acquired the establishment and returned it to its former glory.
After many years of hard work and massive investments in terms of time, money and dedication, the Lake View House Hotel, renamed Lakeview Inn, now glows in a new light while safeguarding its historic heritage.
Listed as an historic building, Lakeview Inn has indeed preserved all of its patrimonial significance. It is a unique treasure to be rediscovered in the heart of an authentic Victorian village.
