|
FRASER HOUSE OPENING, May 24th, 1871
Mr. William Fraser was for many years conductor on the London and Port Stanley Railway after its official opening, and it was during that time
that the site for a hotel and picnic grounds waas bought. This promontry, along withe the Sanborne property belonged formally
to Mr. Bryce Thomson.
Imagine Mr. Fraser standing on this elevation, looking north, south, easst and west,
visualising what he planned to produce on this beautiful spot, and he did later bring forth.
To the south he saw the wide expanse of Lake Erie, to the east the valley with the creek meandering southward
to the harbour and many acres of trees of the estate, shaded by forest treeswhich stretched away to the tree-covered
glens and gullies lying north and west.
The level land running back from the cliffwas divided into two parts.
A beautiful park was laidout to the east for a picnic grounds, and the west portion formed the spacious groundsfor the Fraser House.
This was called, and to old-timers it still remains the same, but the present generation call it "Invererie Heights"
.
The old road to the hill turned off the main road asit does today, but took a deep turnmore to the south than the present drive. As all trains
stopped at the deepot, picnicers had to walk, when coming by railroad. Those who came by horse and buggy had to arrive up
this old road. Remnants of the old steps remain today between the old and new road.
The Fraser House, which was opened for the first time on the Queen's birthday, was formally opened on June 8th, 1871, by a little social banquet
given by the proprietor, Mr. Fraser. Attending were the directors of the London and Port Stanley Railway, the press of the
City of London, and a few friends and colleagues. Also present, arriving by the 3 o'clock train from London were
London Mayor Cousins, Alderman
Eden and Alderman McCormack. The party were joined at St. Thomas by Sheriff Munroe, Mayor Arkell, and other guests.
On their arrival upon the Heights, the visitors amused themselves for about an hour and a half in various ways, by examining the
interior of the Hotel, the whole arrangements were pronounced in the best of order. The conveneient location of the rooms
, as well as the elegance and taste of their furniture, attracted general comment.
A number of the guests, after being kindly provided with towels by the house, indulged in the luxury of a bath in the lake, and all agreed that this
that this was one of the pleasantest features of the visit. The water was calm and agreeably warm.
Returning to the Hotel, a richly prepared table awaited those present, and with keenly whetted appetites,
they proceeded to discuss its luxurious load.
|