Bridge Street and Erie Avenue were the main business streets of Elgin. Fronting on Bridge Street across from the new Great Western Railway Station, the 27-room Suspension Bridge Hotel was built in 1853 or 1854 by Frederick Graham. Graham was a well known local resident, and the hotel was commonly referred to as "Graham's Hotel." It was one of several businesses that appeared along Bridge Street following the arrival of the Great Western Railway in 1853. Meals were available at all hours to accomodate different train schedules, "first rate liquors" were available at the bar, and good stabling, hay and oats were provided for horses.
After Frederick Graham's death, the hotel was sold and renamed the Waverly. It was known by that name throughout the 1880's and 1890's. In the late 1890's, it was purchased by William Henry Jr., a son of the former operator of the Stamford Spring Brewery in St. Davids. Henry renamed it the Arlington, renovated the hotel, and beautifully landscaped the grounds with beautiful lawns and a croquet pitch.
In the mid-1930's, the two-storey open verandas were removed when the hotel was partially renovated and renamed the "New" Arlington. It was then operated as the "Erie Hotel" in the 1950's. In 1960, Mrs. Lillian Salci acquired the hotel, and renamed it the Avon. In the mid 1960's, she put a Klondike-style front on the hotel and renamed it "the Klondike", with a very different facade.
After Mrs. Salci's death, her daughter asdn son-in-law took ofver the hotel. They subsequently sold it to the Chop family of Chippawa.
On May 16, 1978, a bomb in the rear of the hotel exploded, and the resultant damage forced the closure of the hotel. Many neighbouring houses were affected by the bomb blast. Reports were that 118 windows were broken. The Klondike's future remained in limbo for a couple of years, but it was eventually demolished in 1980.
On May 16, 1978, a bomb in the rear of the hotel exploded and the resultant damage forced the closure of the hotel. Many neighbouring houses were affected by the bomb blast. Reports were that 118 windows were broken. The Klondike's future remained in limbo for a couple of years, but it was eventually demolished in 1980.
So ended the story of the longest continually operating hotel in Niagara Falls. The area is now vacant land between the Downtown Niagara Falls bus station and Falls Auto Body.
This is another unfortunate example of a once-beautiful building in downtown Niagara Falls being demolished and replaced by undeveloped land, further reinforcing the perceived decline of the downtown Queen Street - Bridge Street area.
Niagara Falls Museums. Undated. Some Early Hotels: Suspension Bridge Hotel. https://niagarafallsmuseums.ca/discover-our-history/history-notes/earlyhotels.aspx
Niagara Falls Public Library. 2017. Niagara Falls - Then & Now: A Photographic Journey Through The Years. Suspension Bridge Hotel / Arlington Hotel / Klondike Hotel / Empty Lot across from VIA Rail Station.
Petrie, F.J. 1978. A long history behind Klondike Hotel. Niagara Falls Review, May 17, 1978.
Zavitz, Sherman. 2000. Niagara Then and Now: Arlington Hotel. Niagara Falls Review, April 1, 2000.
Niagara Falls Then and Now
A collaborative project
Niagara Falls Museums - Niagara Falls Public Library - Dept. of Geography and Tourism Studies,Brock University.
Original newspaper series by
Sherman Zavitz, Official Historian for the City of Niagara Falls from 1994 - 2019.
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