Hand descendant to visit Stanton

May 23, 2013 · 0 Comments

Although no one is saying it, the historic Stanton Hotel might have a few hurdles to overcome before it gets to its permanent home at Dufferin County Museum despite a recent 19–10 recorded county council vote to share its move with the Community Association to Save Stanton Hotel (CASSH).

The county motion was moved by Amaranth Mayor Don MacIver and Orangeville Deputy Mayor Warren Maycock. The motion is to share in the move, but for the community to fund the restorations.

It was supported by the movers and by Orangeville Mayor Rob Adams, Mulmur Deputy Mayor Rhonda Campbell Moon, Shelburne Mayor Ed Crewson and Deputy Ken Bennington, and Mono Deputy Mayor Ken McGhee.

Perhaps oddly, Mulmur Mayor Paul Mills opposed the move, as did Amaranth Deputy Mayor Walter Kolodziechuk and Mono Mayor/county warden Laura Ryan, thus splitting the votes of those three municipalities.

Melancthon Mayor Bill Hill, who had previously moved unsuccessfully to donate the building to CASSH, voted against the MacIver motion. Also opposing were his deputy, Darren White, and mayors John Oosterhof (museum board chair) and Allen Taylor, of Grand Valley and East Garafraxa respectively.

The 150-year-old building has to be moved from its present location to make way for road improvements to proceed before winter at the intersection of Mulmur Sideroad 5 and Airport Road where it now sits in violation of the intersection’s sight lines.

The hotel was erected by Win Hand, a member of a pioneer family, who served as owner-operator and also as a township councillor and deputy reeve until he moved on when the railway came to Orangeville several years later.

His first known Orangeville residence is an 1876 brick structure, where the present resident has a wealth of Hand history and is in touch with some direct descendants of Win Hand, in the U.S. The 1876 house served not only as the Hand residence but also as his office when he distinguished himself as Orangeville’s first constable.

At least one of the Win Hand descendants is expected to visit Dufferin and the old hotel at about mid-June, according to heritage restoration expert Victor Snow who wasn’t at liberty to release details on the weekend.

Mr. Hand won widespread acclaim as a constable who, according to an ancient Sault Star report, captured an armed desperado without using a firearm.

Before the hotel is moved, it requires demolition of some additions to the original building along with removal of the vinyl siding that, in the words of heritage restoration expert Victor Snow, “had created an eyesore.”

That much might sound simple enough, but CASSH will require a demolition permit along with other permits. It has been established that the county’s chief building official, Mike Giles, is opposed to restoration of the hotel as, apparently, he isn’t convinced it is worthwhile saving.

As well, although county council is on board with CASSH, the council’s Museum Committee doesn’t want the building at the museum. In its opposition to the move, it estimated a total cost of about $450,000 for the hotel’s restoration whereas CASSH estimated $245,000 based on actual contractor prices.

The CASSH figures were used for the association’s Trillium application, in which completeness and accuracy is demanded. The initial application was declined because, according to CASSH, there was no agreement in place with Dufferin County as the building’s owner.

CASSH spokesman Carl Tafel said a new application would be filed, perhaps for the October deadline.

By Wes Keller