The Explorer well remembers the day that Hatton Hall came down. This ancient hotel, located on Owen Sound’s eastern outskirts, had been a landmark along the highway to Meaford for over a century when it was no longer needed.
Robert Hatton bought the property in Sydenham Township in 1865, both on the north and south sides of Higway 26 and on the west side of the Tenth Line. The crossroads became known as Hatton’s Corner and also marked the city limits of Owen Sound. For some time, a board sidewalk was on the south side of the highway from Hatton Hall into town.
The Hattons built a large hotel on the southwest corner, accompanying it with a barn. On the north side was another barn and driving shed built to accommodate the horses of customers staying at this licensed establishment. The hotel was built of red brick made by Benjamin Pyette and Arthur Scott on the Dougal Spence farm.
The hotel contained ten bedrooms, living and dining rooms, and a bar room where booze was sold – until a successful vote for local option on January 1, 1906, closed the bar.
The Hattons had a family of ten children, none ever marrying and each dying in the old hotel. Over the years, the property changed hands, becoming a gas station, a catering business, and serving lunches to Grey County Council. When the City of Owen Sound annexed the properties on the north side of the highway, Hatton Hall remained in the township.
And then, not many years ago, it was torn down. Not even a trace of this landmark hotel remains today.
Originally aired January 10th 2016
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