This path was created by Kyle Kreutner. 

Carleton Place Heritage Project - Part 2

Welcome to the Hotel

The Grand Hotel of Carleton Place, Formerly the Mississippi Hotel

Kyle Kreutner (Morgenweg), 101056543

          The Grand Hotel in Carleton Place has a long and storied history, and has been a fixture of the community since its construction in 1872. For much of its life it was known as the Mississippi Hotel, only becoming The Grand Hotel following extensive renovations in 2017.[1] In the one and a half centuries since its creation, this remarkable building has survived fire, the threat of demolition, and the ravages of time. In its heyday however, the hotel was a beacon of hospitality, style, and sophistication, known as “the leading hotel in Carleton Place,” and across Ontario as “one of the finest hotels between Ottawa and Toronto”.[2]

          The history of this building, and its relationship both to the town and the hotel’s founder, are significant stories in the history of Carleton Place. These stories illustrate the importance of the hotel and railway industries to Carleton Place’s early success, the dynamic lives led by some of the town’s earliest residents, and the hotel’s multifaceted role as both a social center and representative of the town. This impressive structure was also a significant participant in early North American hotel culture. It was a forerunner in 19th century Canadian architecture with its cutting-edge French Second Empire design, and may have even influenced the design of other buildings in Carleton Place. This makes it important not only to the town, but to Canada as well.

          Here you can explore some of the stories of this ‘Grand Dame’ of Carleton Place, and see how it earned its place in the heart of the community.
              
              
              
Footnotes:
  1. Tara Gesner, “Historic downtown Carleton Place hotel to reopen as lavish boutique wedding and events destination,” Inside Ottawa Valley, August 24, 2017, accessed April 4, 2022, url: https://www.insideottawavalley.com/news-story/7519898-historic-downtown-carleton-place-hotel-to-reopen-as-lavish-boutique-wedding-and-events-destination/.
     
  2. “A Review of Prosperous Towns in the Counties of Lanark and Grenville,” Industrial Edition of Prosperous Towns in Lanark and Grenville Counties, found in Microsoft Teams SSAC Media Archive, Project – Carleton Place, Mississippi Hotel [Set2], pp5Reports, no. 1883581-10, accessed February 10, 2022; “Some Heritage Buildings,” Heritage Carleton Place, accessed March 5, 2022, url: https://heritagecarletonplace.com/3/miscellaneous1.htm.
                

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