Haldimand House
Encyclopedia
Haldimand House is a historic building in Caledonia, Ontario
that was built between 1836 and 1842 by James Little. Little was the post-master for Seneca village and was a well known contractor in the area. In 1846 he built Caledonia Mill
, and around 1850 he built the Ryan House, or Mansion House Hotel located on the South West Corner of Forfar and Argyle Street South.
Haldimand House was named for Canada's Governor General at the time of building: Sir Frederick Haldimand
which is strange because Haldimand had never stepped foot in the County which also bears his name. Haldimand House was used for William Lyon Mackenzie
's campaign office during his first run for Prime Minister. The rear portion of the building is said to have been sent down the river by barge and attached to provide a second access to the second floor.
The Haldimand House was built as a stagecoach inn
and tavern. For many years it was owned by James Little. When the village of Caledonia started to prosper, and Seneca Village's population began to decrease, Little moved his post-office into Haldimand House only to have citizens of Seneca complain to the Postmaster General. This resulted in the post office moving back into Seneca Village until a later date. In the late 1850s it was bought by J'AS (James) Hayes. He continued to operate the building as a hotel and tavern, and also repaired shoes behind the bar. Around 1880 it was bought by Mr. Bridget Britton who kept it running as a bar, but gave up the license for a hotel. In 1900 it was sold to the Richardson family who continued to operate Haldimand House as a tavern and billiard room. They lived up above, which was the custom at the time.
In 1927, to help with withering profits the Oasis Drive-In was opened as 'Cone Cottage'. Canada's oldest Drive-In and Ontario's oldest fast food establishment was converted into the Oasis Drive-In in the 1950s by the Leousis family. Bea and Lou Leousis used the Richardsons' original family recipes to establish the reputation that the Oasis has today.
When Mrs. Walter Richardson died in the 1970s the building was converted into an apartment complex by Walter Richardson's son Lester. Les and his sister remained living in the house until 1989.
In 1990 the Haldimand House was purchased by Chris Leousis, son of Lou and Bea, who had also recently purchased the Oasis Drive-In from his father. Chris started restoration work and uncovered the original tin ceilings, walls and the original plank floors on the main level of the building.
The renovations continued and soon Haldimand House was a thriving furniture, antique and gift shoppe. The rear of the building, which still has the original bar, was opened by Leousis as 'Haldimand House Beanery and Cafe'.
In 2006 The Cafe in the rear of the building was closed to make room for much needed retail space for the growing furniture business. Both Haldimand House, since 1842; and The Oasis Drive-In, since 1927; are still open today providing a link to the history of Caledonia and Ontario. In 2010 the Oasis Drive-In celebrates 83 Years of Footlongs & Fresh Cut Fries.
The Haldimand House & Oasis Drive-In are located at 22 Argyle Street South, Caledonia Ontario Canada. N3W 1E5
Caledonia, Ontario
Caledonia is a small riverside community and former town located on the Grand River in Haldimand County, Ontario, Canada. Haldimand County is in the western part of the Niagara Peninsula, and had a population of 43,280 in 2001. The current mayor of Haldimand County is Ken Hewitt; Caledonia is...
that was built between 1836 and 1842 by James Little. Little was the post-master for Seneca village and was a well known contractor in the area. In 1846 he built Caledonia Mill
Caledonia Mill
The Caledonia Mill is a historic mill building located in Caledonia, Ontario, Canada. Built in 1846, it is a heritage property under the Ontario Heritage Act...
, and around 1850 he built the Ryan House, or Mansion House Hotel located on the South West Corner of Forfar and Argyle Street South.
Haldimand House was named for Canada's Governor General at the time of building: Sir Frederick Haldimand
Frederick Haldimand
Sir Frederick Haldimand, KB was a military officer best known for his service in the British Army in North America during the Seven Years' War and the American Revolutionary War...
which is strange because Haldimand had never stepped foot in the County which also bears his name. Haldimand House was used for William Lyon Mackenzie
William Lyon Mackenzie
William Lyon Mackenzie was a Scottish born American and Canadian journalist, politician, and rebellion leader. He served as the first mayor of Toronto, Upper Canada and was an important leader during the 1837 Upper Canada Rebellion.-Background and early years in Scotland, 1795–1820:Mackenzie was...
's campaign office during his first run for Prime Minister. The rear portion of the building is said to have been sent down the river by barge and attached to provide a second access to the second floor.
The Haldimand House was built as a stagecoach inn
Coaching inn
In Europe, from approximately the mid-17th century for a period of about 200 years, the coaching inn, sometimes called a coaching house or staging inn, was a vital part of the inland transport infrastructure, as an inn serving coach travelers...
and tavern. For many years it was owned by James Little. When the village of Caledonia started to prosper, and Seneca Village's population began to decrease, Little moved his post-office into Haldimand House only to have citizens of Seneca complain to the Postmaster General. This resulted in the post office moving back into Seneca Village until a later date. In the late 1850s it was bought by J'AS (James) Hayes. He continued to operate the building as a hotel and tavern, and also repaired shoes behind the bar. Around 1880 it was bought by Mr. Bridget Britton who kept it running as a bar, but gave up the license for a hotel. In 1900 it was sold to the Richardson family who continued to operate Haldimand House as a tavern and billiard room. They lived up above, which was the custom at the time.
In 1927, to help with withering profits the Oasis Drive-In was opened as 'Cone Cottage'. Canada's oldest Drive-In and Ontario's oldest fast food establishment was converted into the Oasis Drive-In in the 1950s by the Leousis family. Bea and Lou Leousis used the Richardsons' original family recipes to establish the reputation that the Oasis has today.
When Mrs. Walter Richardson died in the 1970s the building was converted into an apartment complex by Walter Richardson's son Lester. Les and his sister remained living in the house until 1989.
In 1990 the Haldimand House was purchased by Chris Leousis, son of Lou and Bea, who had also recently purchased the Oasis Drive-In from his father. Chris started restoration work and uncovered the original tin ceilings, walls and the original plank floors on the main level of the building.
The renovations continued and soon Haldimand House was a thriving furniture, antique and gift shoppe. The rear of the building, which still has the original bar, was opened by Leousis as 'Haldimand House Beanery and Cafe'.
In 2006 The Cafe in the rear of the building was closed to make room for much needed retail space for the growing furniture business. Both Haldimand House, since 1842; and The Oasis Drive-In, since 1927; are still open today providing a link to the history of Caledonia and Ontario. In 2010 the Oasis Drive-In celebrates 83 Years of Footlongs & Fresh Cut Fries.
The Haldimand House & Oasis Drive-In are located at 22 Argyle Street South, Caledonia Ontario Canada. N3W 1E5