Paddy Walker House facts for kids
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| Established | 2008 |
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| Location | Kincardine, Ontario, Canada |
| Type | Heritage centre |
The Paddy Walker House, also known simply as the Walker House, is a very old and important building in Kincardine, Ontario, Canada. It is the oldest building in the town and the oldest hotel still standing in Bruce County. Today, it helps people learn about local history.
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History of the Walker House
The story of the Walker House began in 1850. A man named Francis "Paddy" Walker traveled across the frozen Lake Huron. He went from Goderich, Ontario, to a new settlement called Penetangore. This settlement later became Kincardine.
Paddy Walker arrived with his wife, Jane, and their seven sons. He quickly realized that new families coming to Penetangore would need a place to stay. So, he decided to build a hotel. He built it close to the mouth of the Penetangore River, which is now the town's harbor.
From Hotel to Home
The Walker House served as a hotel for many years. Paddy Walker and his family managed it until 1942. Then, a couple named Marie and Al Gairns bought the building. They continued to run it as a hotel for some time.
Later, the Gairns decided to change the hotel into a rooming house. This meant people could rent rooms for longer stays. After Mr. Gairns passed away, Marie Gairns lived in the Walker House as her private home. She lived there until the 1990s.
Fire and Rebuilding the Walker House
A Difficult Time for the Building
In January 1995, a fire broke out at the Walker House. Marie Gairns, who was still living there, had to be rescued by local firefighters. The fire caused a lot of damage to the old building.
For three years after the fire, the Walker House was left empty. It suffered even more from the weather and time. People in Kincardine started to worry. There was talk that the town might tear down the historic building.
Saving the Walker House
Many local people felt it was important to save the Walker House. They believed it was a key part of Kincardine's history. Because of this, a group called the Paddy Walker Heritage Society was formed.
In 1998, this society bought the Walker House from Mrs. Gairns. They began a big project to restore the building. Many repairs and improvements were made. The restoration work was finished in 2008. It was ready just in time for the Kincardine Old Boys Reunion that year.
The Walker House Today
Today, the Walker House is a special place for Kincardine and the areas around it. It works as a heritage center. This means it has exhibits and programs that teach people about local history. It also hosts different events.
The Walker House Heritage Society uses the building as a meeting place. It also serves as a local museum. The museum is usually closed during the colder winter months. However, it opens during the summer. This is because tourism is a very important industry for Kincardine in the summer.
