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The Paisley Tavern
The Paisley Inn is a 170 year old Inn located within the village of Paisley Ontario, Canada. The inn was originally constructed by Samuel Rowe, one of the founders of the village. Currently the inn has sat vacant for almost 30 years and has been approved for demolition as of January 2019.

Location
The Paisley Inn is located in downtown Paisley, on Queen Street opposite the town hall, and village square

Rowes Tavern
In 1851 the original structure on the site was known as Rowes tavern, a log tavern built by one of the founders of Paisley, Samuel Rowe. During this period the tavern housed the village’s first merchant, Thomas Orchard, until the construction of a separate store in 1854, and housed the first public religious service led by Reverend James Hutchinson, a Methodist preacher. Floor boards from the tavern were used to build a casket for David Ross, the first man to die of natural causes within the settlement. In 1863, the original log building was replaced by a two storey red brick structure.

The Grand Central
William Flood purchased the tavern, then known as the “Anglo-American Hotel” in 1877. In October of 1899 it is reputed that Sir Wilfrid Laurier was entertained at the hotel during his visit to Paisley. By 1890, the hotel was called the “Central Hotel”, and in the summer of 1890 the building underwent extensive renovations. A three story tower was added to the front of the hotel and a third story was added to the front part of the original building.

The building was purchased by Isaac Stanly in 1894 for $7000. Stanley then built the adjoining building, which is currently in use as the Royal Bank, and is the only section of the property still in use today. In 1911, a vote for the Local Option caused all bars within Paisley to cease operation. Out of five hotels operating in Paisley prior to this, by 1911 only the Grand Central remained. In 1953, the hotel was renamed the “Paisley Hotel.” In 1956, after operating as a dry hotel for 45 years, the Grand Central became the only Hotel north of Toronto to have a liquor license.

As a result the Hotel flourished throughout the 1960s and 1970s, until increasing competition drove the Paisley Inn into closing its doors in 1984. The hotel was purchased in 1984 by Fred Walsh, underwent extensive renovations, and the hotel was reopened on May 16, 1985 and remained open until 1994 when it was once again sold off. During this time the building received a Historical Designation.

Design.
The Original log structure was a thirty by twenty-four log building, with a lean-to for a kitchen, and another lean-to for a dining-room. The Brick Paisley Inn built in 1863 was constructed out of red brick, with the first story cladding currently replaced with a cladding of simulated stone. Throughout the structure there is elaborate brickwork, from detailed archways to elaborate patterned cornices. The influence of the American architect H.H. Richardson can be seen in the low wide arches of the tower and the upper story is an example of the high quality of patterning and relief achieved in the later nineteenth century. In standing with the rest of the downtown core, the tavern fits neatly into the vernacular architecture of colonial southern Ontario.

Current state
As the hotel has sat vacant for 30 years, both the exterior and the interior have significantly deteriorated. Bricks have been falling off its side for years and the roof is in serious need of repair. A fence has been installed around the building in order to protect pedestrians from falling debris. The interior has signs of water damage throughout, and sections of the floor have collapsed entirely. As of 2019 the Historical Designation was removed from the building and a demolition permit was issued.

Future Plans
The current owners, Young Development Corporation and BMF Construction, are intending on demolishing the historic building, and building a new mixed commercial and residential project. The proposed design is similar in style to the current hotel and is intended to help revitalize the village. As of March 01, 2021 demolition has yet to begin on the site, as the owners are waiting on rezoning approval from the county.