Winston Cosgrove's
Wolfe Island Past and Present

Excerpts from:

Chapter Five: Island Landmarks

Used with the kind permission of Mrs. W.M.
(Phyllis) Cosgrove October 10, 2001

For the purpose of brevity, only portions have been extracted
from the full text. For a genuine appreciation of Mr. Cosgrove’s
writings please read the entire work. The book is available
from the Kingston Public Library.

The village of Marysville was named after Mrs. Archibald (Mary) Hitchcock. She was born on Wolfe Island in 1789 and later served as the first postmistress from 1845 until her death in 1877. Mrs. Hitchcock, affectionately known as “Aunt Polly” was an excellent nurse and the women’s doctor. She would make her way to the patient’s home regardless of where it was either by wagon jumper, horseback, or by skiff.

The Hitchcock family built a large stone dwelling near the water’s edge in 1832. This has been known to travelers and tourists for over a century as the “Hitchcock House.” It was operated by Allan McLaren from 1904 until his death in 1934. His wife, Emily, and some “Mac” continued the family tradition until the hotel portion was sold in 1951 to N.A. Landry of Detroit, Michigan. Dr. R.J. Livesey of Kingston became a part-owner and then eventually sole owner. At the present time (1973) Professor Brooks of Queen’s University is the owner of the summer hotel which in 1973 was closed to the tourist trade for the first time.

Dr. Dan Lacey, a remarkably fit ninety-year old Wolfe Island resident, recalled during a recent interview that the Wolfe Island Hotel was operated by Robert Payne about 1895. Luke Costello of Amherst Island, who held the mortgage, took over at the turn of the century. He built the horse stable which were a familiar sight for many years just off the laneway to the west side of the hotel. Mr. Costello died in 1912 and subsequent owners included: Mike O’Brien, Greg Keegan, John Briceland Sr., and Mrs. Shaw.

Michael Johnson successfully bid on the hotel and ran it from November 1921 until his death in 1952. His daughter Gertrude, operated the hotel until 1955 when it was purchased by Joe, Glenn, Francis and Reginald Greenwood.

The Greenwood brothers renamed the hotel “The General Wolfe Hotel.” A liquor vote was held in 1957 which resulted in a victory for the “wets.” Thus a liquor lounge was opened for the first time in The General Wolfe Hotel in July of 1958. The seating capacity has been increased from twenty-two in 1955 to approximately two hundred. The hotel owners have since purchased waterfront property from the Township of Wolfe Island and adjoining land from George O’Brien and the Ernest Whitmarsh estate in order to develop an excellent marina.

Hitchcock House
Guides Bill Hawkins & Don McRae on left
From "Island Landmarks"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past & Present, 1973, p. 18

Wolfe Island Hotel
From "Island Landmarks"
Cosgrove, W.M., Wolfe Island Past & Present, 1973, p. 18.

PHOTOS IN BOOK BUT NOT ONLINE:
The McLaren Hotel page 19
"Many senior residents of Wolfe Island such as Mrs. Sadie Russel and Mrs. Etta Ferguson can recall dances in this hotel operated by "Sandy" McLaren. It was demolished in 1946 and the Shell Oil station was later erected on this site. This hotel was known to have been in operation in the 1880;s.
The late Samuel Hogan and his late daughter Lola are seen standing near the verandah post on the right. This would date the picture at about 1920. An upper verandah running down to the doorway of the dancehall on the second floor has been removed. Seat immediately to the left in front of the railing are the three McLaren sister: Susie, Gertie, and Hattie. Samuel V. Hogan and Gertrude McLaren were married in 1911. John J. Hogan (Stub) is seated on the railing. The remainder of the people could not be positvely identified.
Photo courtesy Eugene Hogan

Wilson Taylor's Blacksmith Shop (early 1900's) page 20
Hiram Davis (on ground), Sandy McLaren (in chair), Wilson Taylor, George Taylor, Charles Baker (in front of wheels), Tom Hogan. Three men to left: unidentified.
Craig Russell later operated this shop which was east of the Woodman House where Dick Greenwood has built his home.
Photo courtesy of Neil Hogan.

The Islands: Books: Winston Cosgroves Wolfe Island Past and Present: Island Landmarks

Winston Cosgrove's Wolfe Island Past and Present

Chapter Five: Island Landmarks

Winston Cosgrove's
Wolfe Island Past and Present