Damaged 1840s Bayfield landmark will be rebuilt

Jeff Graham’s heart sank when he showed up Sunday morning to see that the roof on his beloved Bayfield business, the Albion Hotel, had collapsed.

“Initially on Sunday when we arrived, the talk was ‘This is dangerous.’ The Black Dog Restaurant could be in trouble, too. We need to tear this building down right away,” said the Albion’s owner.

But following inspections by several engineers throughout the week, Graham said the iconic Albion Hotel will not be torn down. In fact, it will most certainly be rebuilt.

“Leigh and I plan to rebuild the Albion and bring it back to its glory. The Municipality and the Heritage Committee are standing right behind us and want the same thing,” said Graham.

So too does the community, and local history buffs, who watched in horror as their beloved Bayfield landmark, built in the 1840s and faithfully restored in 1964, sat in near ruins Sunday morning.

Work to protect the damaged Albion Hotel following its roof collapse on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, seen on Dec. 10. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)

“The way the roof had collapsed and thinking about how old the brick was and not knowing if the foundation sides that they're talking about were safe. No, it's awesome news,” said Barbara Durand, president of the Bayfield Historical Society.

Graham said engineers determined the roof split at the peak and just folded out and essentially sat down on the second floor, which miraculously didn’t cause as much damage as feared to the 145-year-old structure.

“There is damage, but not like we thought. So, that's a very positive thing. The walls, all the corners are very strong still,” said Graham.

A temporary plywood and tarp roof was installed on the Albion on Wednesday. Graham said brick work will start on Monday and new roof trusses have already been ordered, which he hopes means the Albion will have a new roof by late January or early February.

Sign on the Albion Hotel, seen on Dec. 9, 2024, following its roof collapse on Sunday, Dec. 8. (Scott Miller/CTV News London)

More work to restore the interior will need to be done, so Graham can’t say when but he can say that the Albion will be restored and will reopen to the public again.

The historical plaque that once sat out front of the Albion will also be put back in its rightful place.

“We kept this plaque for when the building reopens and we all get to go and put this on the front of the building and we'll throw the hugest party that Bayfield has ever seen. I can't wait for that day for all of us to do that together,” said Graham.

Albion Hotel Owner Jeff Graham, seen on Dec. 11, 2024, holds a historical plaque he rescued from his damaged business following its roof collapse on Sunday, Dec. 8. (Source: Jeff Graham)

The Bayfield Historical Society, who installed the Albion’s plaque several years ago, can’t wait for re-opening day, either.

“We would really love to be there, when the plaque is placed back on a restored building,” said Durand.

In the meantime, more than $75,000 has been raised by the community to help keep the Albion’s 27 employees afloat during restoration.

“We plan to fight tooth and nail to get the Albion back to the way it was. We can’t thank the community enough for their support,” said Graham.