Niagara-on-the-Lake's historic “Smithy” has been moved to its new and “final” resting place.
The building, weighing more than 60,000 pounds, was relocated from its temporary home on Gate Street by a crane on Nov. 26, and will now be a part of the new expansion of 124 on Queen Hotel & Spa.
The building, which was once William Gollop’s blacksmith shop, dates back as far as the 1920s and has seen many uses in the past, including housing Canada’s first museum of the paranormal, a front desk reception area for the hotel, luxury guestrooms and an executive meeting space.
The building was originally located in the laneway behind Gollop’s family home at 118 Queen St. (which now houses the Budapest Bakery and Oliv Tasting Room) and has been a part of the 124 on Queen Hotel & Spa property in recent years.
It has been carefully moved several times within the block of Victoria, Queen and Gate streets while the property and surrounding areas expanded, said Amanda Hansen, director of sales for 124 on Queen.
Hansen said 124 on Queen recognizes “the importance of having been entrusted with a number of historical buildings both as a part of the 124 on Queen property and of the Niagara-on-the-Lake guest experience and we carefully consider how to best maximize their usage while preserving the important historical features and stories of the buildings themselves.”
She said the building was “carefully moved by a team of experts to its final resting place, where it can continue to be cherished with the other historical buildings comprising 124 on Queen Hotel & Spa.”
Plans are for the building to be incorporated into the extension of the hotel property and “nestled into the back gardens of the 124 on Queen grounds,” Hansen said.
“The inside will be refreshed and the surrounding will be landscaped so that the original building fits in seamlessly with the expansion of the property and the gardens that will be located onsite.”
She said 124 on Queen is “continually appreciative of the support of the Niagara-on-the-Lake residents in the expansion of the property and look forward to sharing many new exciting areas for guests and locals to enjoy.”
