The first female bartender in Canada worked here in the mid 1960s. Also, the hotel had a province-wide reputation for fine food and hospitality and its guests have included celebrities, commercial travelers, musicians, professional athletes and three Prime Ministers - John Diefenbaker, Pierre Trudeau and Jean Chretien. It continues to be an integral part of the historic streetscape of the business district.
Built by James Hartley around 1868, this three-storey Georgian-style building is one of the most recognizable and unique structures in Walkerton. Mr. Hartley worked closely with town father, Joseph Walker, to have Walkerton declared the "County Seat". The hotel has survived floods, fire and threatened demilition.
