The Albion Hotel: Bayfield’s Historic Heart Reopens After a Storm of a Lifetime

After a roof collapse and severe damage in 2024, The Albion will reopen on Saturday, September 27.

On the evening of September 27, the Albion Hotel will throw open its doors for a long-awaited grand reopening party marking not just the return of a beloved local landmark, but the triumph of a community that refused to let history crumble.

After nearly nine months of heartbreak, rebuilding, and resilience, co-owners Leigh and Jeff Graham are ready to welcome guests back to the place they’ve poured their hearts into for the past seven years. They can’t wait to showcase the hard work the community has put in over the last nine months.

The Albion Hotel has stood proudly on Bayfield’s Main Street since the 1840s. Originally built as a general store by Robert Reid, it was transformed in 1856 into a two-storey hotel, becoming a cornerstone of hospitality for travelers arriving by land and lake for over 145 years.

Its Georgian Colonial architecture, iconic two-tiered veranda that was added in 1902 and the original cherry wood bar have long made it a visual and cultural anchor in the village.

Sadly, on December 8, 2024, that legacy was nearly lost.

In an email beautifully written by Leigh, she brought to life the events that nearly removed the Albion hotel from the Bayfield landscape.

In the early hours of that morning, Leigh and Jeff were jolted awake by a photo and a phone call. In her sleepy haze, Leigh was trying to grasp what a friend was trying to explain - that something was wrong with the Albion’s structure.

As Leigh stared at the image that showed bricks and debris scattered like confetti, Jeff uttered the words no business owner ever wants to hear: “Our building is falling down.”

Their initial feelings were panic, fear and helplessness and the damage was catastrophic.

The roof had collapsed under the weight of a brutal winter storm. Emergency officials who responded within hours feared the entire building might need to be torn down. Thanks to a quick-thinking member of the emergency insurance team, a structural engineer was called in—and determined the Albion could be saved.

The weather that week was not cooperative bringing more heavy snow, rain and freezing rain before a thaw, then more rain. The water found new ways to get in and destroyed more than they could have predicted.

What followed was a whirlwind of insurance claims, contractor negotiations, and emotional strain. The damage extended far beyond the roof. The water had destroyed all four guest rooms, both dining areas, and the cherished bar.

The original hardwood floors had to be dried, leveled, and structurally reinforced. Windows, balconies, and the signature veranda were rebuilt. It was, as Leigh described, “a renovation from the inside out.”

Rather than outsource the rebuild, Jeff stepped into the role of contractor himself. This decision allowed the couple to manage time and budget more effectively and ensured that every detail, from the floors to the fireplace, honoured the Albion’s history. Even the custom-built fireplace were built using bricks salvaged from the collapse.

The Grahams were adamant about involving local tradespeople in the restoration. Bayfield Contracting, Twin Oaks Masonry, Coleson Forbes Construction, VanWyke Electrical, Snell Plumbing, and KRC Carpentry—many of whom had personal ties to the Albion since their childhoods—came together to turn tragedy into transformation.

The community’s support didn’t stop there. A GoFundMe campaign raised over $80,000 for displaced staff and a New Year’s Eve fundraiser dance brought neighbours together in celebration and solidarity.

Local businesses offered work and financial assistance to the Albion staff. Even the #BayfieldStrong hoodies, designed to rally support, found their way all the way overseas.

The Albion isn’t just known for its hospitality; it’s steeped in legend. The legendary “rent-free guest” may still linger. The ghost of Harvey Elliot, said to haunt the bar after a fatal feud with his brother in the 1890s, remains part of the hotel’s folklore.

Leigh hints that future guests will have to decide for themselves whether the spirits have returned with the living.

Leigh and Jeff shared some hard-earned advice after navigating the events of December 8 for fellow business owners: know your coverage, be patient, maintain emergency funds, and don’t be afraid to act as your own contractor if it means preserving your vision.

Leigh also emphasizes the importance of choosing local insurance providers who understand the community and respond with compassion.

The official reopening party kicks off at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 27, with the hotel resuming full operations on Monday, September 29.

It’s more than a celebration—it’s a testament to the power of community, the strength of local business, and the enduring spirit of Bayfield.

“They say it takes a village,” Leigh says. “And I’ve come to truly understand what that means.”