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Postcard 'The Exchange Hotel'1899
Bruce Mines, Ontario, Canada
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In the 1860's Bruce Mines was a large town with a population of around 1500. Sault Ste. Marie was still a small village, about the size of a trading post. The copper mines were booming and Bruce Mines was a major destination in Northern Ontario for travelers coming in by steamship. These travelers would find accommodation in one of Bruce Mines' hotels, or one of several in the surrounding area. The Exchange Hotel was the largest and finest in Bruce Mines, consisting of three stories and a basement. Meals cost 25¢ and an average of 72 meals were served each day, mainly to farmers. Rooms went for 25¢ per night or $3.50/week including board. This hotel was built in 1899, but was destroyed in the fire of 1910.Photo courtesy of the Bruce Mines Museum.
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Original Bayview Hotel1905
Bruce Mines, Ontario, Canada
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The Bayview was another large hotel, and was located across from the present day United Church. It was also a casualty of the 1910 fire. The former Burrows residence then adopted the name of the Bayview Hotel.Photo courtesy of the Bruce Mines Museum.
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The second Bayview Hotel.1925
Bruce Mines, Ontario, Canada
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This second version of the Bayview was built in the late 1800's and is said to have been contracted by the Marquess of Queensbury, though he never lived there. It is now a private residence.Photo courtesy of the Bruce Mines Museum.
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Bruce Mines Fair Day1913
Bruce Mines, Ontario, Canada
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Two other hotels were the Lakeshore Hotel, built in 1919, and the Tecumseh Hotel. The Tecumseh Hotel has long since perished in one of the town's many fires, as have most of Bruce Mines' historical buildings.Photo courtesy of Merritt Strum.
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Maple Leaf Hotel1900
Rydal Bank, Ontario, Canada
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Two hotels in the surrounding area were the Maple Leaf Hotel in Rydal Bank, just north of Bruce Mines, and the Nakomas Hotel in Desbarats, just west of Bruce Mines.Photo courtesy of the Bruce Mines Museum.
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The Maple Leaf Hotel1900
Bruce Mines, Ontario, Canada
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The Maple Leaf Hotel was believed to have been the home of the Musical Slot Machine, and was the main stop for people who were riding the Nip and Tuck railroad to and from the mines in Rock Lake, as well as for many area farmers.Photo courtesy of Chris Moes.
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Musical slot machine1876
Bruce Mines Museum, Bruce Mines, Ontario, Canada
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It is believed this musical slot machine was used in the Maple Leaf Hotel in Rydal Bank at the time the copper mines were in operation. It was kept for many years in a local barn before being offered to the Bruce Mines Museum. The carved oak body is surrounded by ornate iron fittings and legs. An image of a woman being kissed by an angel appears on the base of the handles on each side. Coloured wooden coins were used, and music box tunes would play for the winners. It is believed, the only other musical slot machine of this type is in a museum in Chicago. |
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