(Joe Hamilton, Elgin native and EAHS Director has written a comprehensive article entitled “The History of the Hotels of Elgin”. This is an excerpt from that work covering the Fahey era of hotel ownership)
“…A new lessor named Patrick Joseph Fahey arrived on the scene in 1893, although he didn’t acquire ownership until 1900. When he first moved into the hotel, it consisted of the main house with a dining room, reading room, several bedrooms and a large kitchen. Coal-oil lamps were kept polished and ready on a long table at the head of the stairs. With construction of the Brockville-Westport Railway in the 1880s, there was a steady stream of travelers through the Elgin area. Local farmers often provided transportation from Phillipsville train station to Elgin, In 1905, with business thriving, Fahey added a long rear wing containing eight bedrooms, ,a bar and private family living quarters. Travelling salesmen could display their wares for local merchants in a special “sample room”. There also was a lengthy shed adjacent to the hotel where horses could be tethered and fed. There was a second floor storage area above the horse shed. Fahey owned and operated the Elgin Hotel for close to fifty years. The hotel was sold in 1946 following P.J. Fahey’s death….”
Hello!
Such a great historic photo of my Great-Grandfather Patrick John Fahey and my Great Auntie Aileen Loretta Fahey!
Her name was often misspelled and also pronounced as “eye-LEEN as apposed to the correct, “AY-Leen”.
She was an amazing cook, like her mother, my Great-Grandmother, Mary Ann (Crosby) Fahey, who ran the hotel along side my Great-Grandfather. My Grandfather, James Vincent Fahey was their 3rd oldest child. My father, Richard Joseph Fahey built a replica of the Brockville-Westport CNR Railway Line in our family home in Burlington, Ontario.
Thank You Margaret for your comments and sharing your connections. We try to present items of historical value to the area, and it is reqarding to receive recognition of our efforts. With appreciation, EAHS