The Algonquin
Encyclopedia
The Fairmont Algonquin is a coastal resort hotel in the Tudor style, located in Canada
's first seaside resort
town, St. Andrews
, New Brunswick
. It was built in 1889 by the St. Andrews Land Company, established in 1883 by wealthy American
businessmen.
The impressive four-storey half-timbered
structure with its castle-like facade and 80 guest rooms, each with its own fireplace
and water closet, officially opened in June 1889 - an event celebrated by distinguished guests from Canada
and the United States
. The Loyalist residents of St. Andrews quickly seized upon the summer tourism draw that the hotel was creating among residents of humid inland cities of North America.
One of The Algonquin's more famous attractions was its saltwater
baths. Saltwater was pumped from Passamaquoddy Bay
to the hotel atop the hill overlooking St. Andrews and held in water tanks in the hotel attic. Guests used bathtub
s designed with four taps, two for fresh water and two for saltwater.
In addition to the saltwater baths, the clean humidity-free air offered by the Bay of Fundy
, along with the local "Samson Spring" were believed to offer invigorating healing properties to guests. Elegant surroundings, coupled with advertising proclaiming "No hay fever
here" and "A general air of restfulness" attracted many wealthy tourists, some of whom established elaborate summer "cottages" in the town of St. Andrews and its surrounding countryside.
The New Brunswick Railway
operated the rail line serving St. Andrews. One of the major private shareholders of the NBR was also the first president of the CPR (1881–1888, George Stephen
. Stephen started the process which would see CPR purchase the NBR, as well as build a line across Maine
from southern Quebec
to connect with the rail network - what would be known as the International Railway of Maine. In 1888, Stephen retired and was replaced by William Cornelius Van Horne
, who on July 1, 1890, oversaw the Canadian Pacific Railway lease the NBR for 990 years.
That summer, Van Horne also visited St. Andrews, staying in its famous resort hotel. Van Horne obviously enjoyed his stay away from the heat and humidity of Montreal
(prior to air conditioning
), as he purchased nearby Minister's Island and soon began construction of his famous "Covenhoven" estate, which still stands today.
Van Horne retired from the presidency in 1899, opting to spend more time at his Covenhoven estate. In 1903, the Canadian Pacific Railway Company purchased The Algonquin and built world-class golf courses as well as bringing the hotel into what was then the most-renowned hotel chain in the world. A 1902 CPR promotional brochure describes The Algonquin as follows:
Under CPR ownership, the resort flourished with numerous famous guests staying under its roof during the 20th century. As the vast majority of guests arrived at St. Andrews by passenger train, CPR built a large transfer station at the junction between the St. Andrews line and the Saint John
-Montreal main line in McAdam
. This station also included a large 30-room hotel on its second floor, largely built to service the patrons of the St. Andrews resort.
In 1970, CPR sold The Algonquin to local interests. It was then leased by the Government of New Brunswick in 1973. The property, along with adjacent golf courses and private beach at Katy's Cove was purchased entirely by the provincial government in 1984. Throughout this period of change in ownership of the property, the resort was continuously contracted to operate under and be marketed by Canadian Pacific Hotels and Resorts
, therefore the general public didn't see any change in the impecabble delivery of service provided by CPR employees.
In 1999, CPR purchased Fairmont Hotels and Resorts
. In 2001, Canadian Pacific Hotels and Resorts were consolidated under the Fairmont name. Later that year in October 2001, Canadian Pacific Limited
spun off its subsidiaries, including Fairmont Hotels and Resorts into individually controlled companies.
Under the stewardship of its current owner, the Government of New Brunswick, and its current operator, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, The Algonquin continues to offer a premier vacation experience in one of Canada's most historic seaside resort towns. The hotel has witnessed guests ranging from heads of state and royalty such as Presidents of the United States Theodore Roosevelt
, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson
to HRH Prince Charles
and Diana, Princess of Wales
, as well as Sir John A. Macdonald and virtually every Prime Minister of Canada
since Confederation. Many celebrity entertainers and athletes have also graced the doors of The Algonquin over the years.
In late 2010, the Fairmont chain asked the government of New Brunswick for a set amount of money in order to refit the property on a large scale. After deliberation, the province took the decision in early 2011 that they would seek different management for the property other than the Fairmont chain. From 31 Dec 2011 the Fairmont web site (cf. below) now states that Fairmont will no longer be managing the property and that all Fairmont club benefits for guests will cease after that date. No new management arrangement has yet been announced. In early June 2011, the province of New Brunswick announced instead it would be putting the property up for sale St Andrews NB mayor questions sale of the Algonquin
The town of St. Andrews and surrounding region of Charlotte County
offers whale-watching, hiking, golfing, biking, and exploring local heritage.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's first seaside resort
Seaside resort
A seaside resort is a resort, or resort town, located on the coast. Where a beach is the primary focus for tourists, it may be called a beach resort.- Overview :...
town, St. Andrews
St. Andrews, New Brunswick
St. Andrews is a Canadian town in Charlotte County, New Brunswick.It is sometimes referred to in tourism marketing by its unofficial nickname "St. Andrews-by-the-sea".-Geography:St...
, New Brunswick
New Brunswick
New Brunswick is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the only province in the federation that is constitutionally bilingual . The provincial capital is Fredericton and Saint John is the most populous city. Greater Moncton is the largest Census Metropolitan Area...
. It was built in 1889 by the St. Andrews Land Company, established in 1883 by wealthy American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
businessmen.
The impressive four-storey half-timbered
Timber framing
Timber framing , or half-timbering, also called in North America "post-and-beam" construction, is the method of creating structures using heavy squared off and carefully fitted and joined timbers with joints secured by large wooden pegs . It is commonplace in large barns...
structure with its castle-like facade and 80 guest rooms, each with its own fireplace
Fireplace
A fireplace is an architectural structure to contain a fire for heating and, especially historically, for cooking. A fire is contained in a firebox or firepit; a chimney or other flue allows gas and particulate exhaust to escape...
and water closet, officially opened in June 1889 - an event celebrated by distinguished guests from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The Loyalist residents of St. Andrews quickly seized upon the summer tourism draw that the hotel was creating among residents of humid inland cities of North America.
One of The Algonquin's more famous attractions was its saltwater
Seawater
Seawater is water from a sea or ocean. On average, seawater in the world's oceans has a salinity of about 3.5% . This means that every kilogram of seawater has approximately of dissolved salts . The average density of seawater at the ocean surface is 1.025 g/ml...
baths. Saltwater was pumped from Passamaquoddy Bay
Passamaquoddy Bay
Passamaquoddy Bay is an inlet of the Bay of Fundy, between the U.S. state of Maine and the Canadian province of New Brunswick, at the mouth of the St. Croix River. Most of the bay lies within Canada, with its western shore bounded by Washington County, Maine. The southernmost point is formed by...
to the hotel atop the hill overlooking St. Andrews and held in water tanks in the hotel attic. Guests used bathtub
Bathtub
A bath , bathtub , or tub is a large container for holding water in which a person may bathe . Most modern bathtubs are made of acrylic or fiberglass, but alternatives are available in enamel over steel or cast iron, and occasionally waterproof finished wood...
s designed with four taps, two for fresh water and two for saltwater.
In addition to the saltwater baths, the clean humidity-free air offered by the Bay of Fundy
Bay of Fundy
The Bay of Fundy is a bay on the Atlantic coast of North America, on the northeast end of the Gulf of Maine between the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, with a small portion touching the U.S. state of Maine...
, along with the local "Samson Spring" were believed to offer invigorating healing properties to guests. Elegant surroundings, coupled with advertising proclaiming "No hay fever
Hay Fever
Hay Fever is a comic play written by Noël Coward in 1924 and first produced in 1925 with Marie Tempest as the first Judith Bliss. Laura Hope Crews played the role in New York...
here" and "A general air of restfulness" attracted many wealthy tourists, some of whom established elaborate summer "cottages" in the town of St. Andrews and its surrounding countryside.
The New Brunswick Railway
New Brunswick Railway
The New Brunswick Railway was a historic Canadian railway operating in western New Brunswick. Its headquarters were in Woodstock.The original NBR lines were built to the narrow gauge of...
operated the rail line serving St. Andrews. One of the major private shareholders of the NBR was also the first president of the CPR (1881–1888, George Stephen
George Stephen, 1st Baron Mount Stephen
George Stephen, 1st Baron of Mount Stephen , known as Sir Stephen, between 1778 and 1891.-Canadian Pacific Railway syndicate:...
. Stephen started the process which would see CPR purchase the NBR, as well as build a line across Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
from southern Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
to connect with the rail network - what would be known as the International Railway of Maine. In 1888, Stephen retired and was replaced by William Cornelius Van Horne
William Cornelius Van Horne
Sir William Cornelius Van Horne, KCMG was a pioneering Canadian railway executive.-Life and career:Born in 1843 in rural Illinois, he moved with his family to Joliet, Illinois when he was eight years old...
, who on July 1, 1890, oversaw the Canadian Pacific Railway lease the NBR for 990 years.
That summer, Van Horne also visited St. Andrews, staying in its famous resort hotel. Van Horne obviously enjoyed his stay away from the heat and humidity of Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
(prior to air conditioning
Air conditioning
An air conditioner is a home appliance, system, or mechanism designed to dehumidify and extract heat from an area. The cooling is done using a simple refrigeration cycle...
), as he purchased nearby Minister's Island and soon began construction of his famous "Covenhoven" estate, which still stands today.
Van Horne retired from the presidency in 1899, opting to spend more time at his Covenhoven estate. In 1903, the Canadian Pacific Railway Company purchased The Algonquin and built world-class golf courses as well as bringing the hotel into what was then the most-renowned hotel chain in the world. A 1902 CPR promotional brochure describes The Algonquin as follows:
"an incomparable resting-place and retreat from the cares of business and the heat and dust and bustle of the city"http://www.fairmont.com/FA/en/CDA/Home/Hotels/AboutHotel/CDHotelHistory/0,1142,nav%253D7%2526entity%25255Fvalue%253D100127%2526property%25255Fseq%253D100127%2526entity%25255Fkey%253Dproperty%25255Fseq,00.html
Saint John, New Brunswick
City of Saint John , or commonly Saint John, is the largest city in the province of New Brunswick, and the first incorporated city in Canada. The city is situated along the north shore of the Bay of Fundy at the mouth of the Saint John River. In 2006 the city proper had a population of 74,043...
-Montreal main line in McAdam
McAdam, New Brunswick
McAdam is a village located in the southwestern corner of York County, New Brunswick, Canada. The village covers and has a population of 1,404 as of 2006.The area was first settled in the mid-to-late 19th century as a group of small lumber camps...
. This station also included a large 30-room hotel on its second floor, largely built to service the patrons of the St. Andrews resort.
In 1970, CPR sold The Algonquin to local interests. It was then leased by the Government of New Brunswick in 1973. The property, along with adjacent golf courses and private beach at Katy's Cove was purchased entirely by the provincial government in 1984. Throughout this period of change in ownership of the property, the resort was continuously contracted to operate under and be marketed by Canadian Pacific Hotels and Resorts
Canadian Pacific hotels
Canadian Pacific Hotels was a division of Canadian Pacific Railway that operated a series of hotels across Canada. Most of these resort hotels were originally built and operated by the railway's Hotel Department, while a few were acquired from Canadian National Hotels...
, therefore the general public didn't see any change in the impecabble delivery of service provided by CPR employees.
In 1999, CPR purchased Fairmont Hotels and Resorts
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts
Fairmont Hotels & Resorts is a Canadian-based operator of luxury hotels and resorts. Currently, Fairmont operates properties in 18 countries including Canada, the United States, Mexico, Bermuda, Barbados, United Kingdom, Monaco, Germany, Switzerland, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, the...
. In 2001, Canadian Pacific Hotels and Resorts were consolidated under the Fairmont name. Later that year in October 2001, Canadian Pacific Limited
Canadian Pacific Limited
Canadian Pacific Limited was created in 1971 to own properties formerly owned by Canadian Pacific Railway, a transportation and mining giant in Canada...
spun off its subsidiaries, including Fairmont Hotels and Resorts into individually controlled companies.
Under the stewardship of its current owner, the Government of New Brunswick, and its current operator, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, The Algonquin continues to offer a premier vacation experience in one of Canada's most historic seaside resort towns. The hotel has witnessed guests ranging from heads of state and royalty such as Presidents of the United States Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon B. Johnson
Lyndon Baines Johnson , often referred to as LBJ, was the 36th President of the United States after his service as the 37th Vice President of the United States...
to HRH Prince Charles
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
and Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales
Diana, Princess of Wales was the first wife of Charles, Prince of Wales, whom she married on 29 July 1981, and an international charity and fundraising figure, as well as a preeminent celebrity of the late 20th century...
, as well as Sir John A. Macdonald and virtually every Prime Minister of Canada
Prime Minister of Canada
The Prime Minister of Canada is the primary minister of the Crown, chairman of the Cabinet, and thus head of government for Canada, charged with advising the Canadian monarch or viceroy on the exercise of the executive powers vested in them by the constitution...
since Confederation. Many celebrity entertainers and athletes have also graced the doors of The Algonquin over the years.
In late 2010, the Fairmont chain asked the government of New Brunswick for a set amount of money in order to refit the property on a large scale. After deliberation, the province took the decision in early 2011 that they would seek different management for the property other than the Fairmont chain. From 31 Dec 2011 the Fairmont web site (cf. below) now states that Fairmont will no longer be managing the property and that all Fairmont club benefits for guests will cease after that date. No new management arrangement has yet been announced. In early June 2011, the province of New Brunswick announced instead it would be putting the property up for sale St Andrews NB mayor questions sale of the Algonquin
The town of St. Andrews and surrounding region of Charlotte County
Charlotte County, New Brunswick
Charlotte County is located in the southwestern portion of New Brunswick, Canada.In most of the county, fishing and aquaculture dominate the local economy, although the town of St. Andrews is a tourist mecca and St...
offers whale-watching, hiking, golfing, biking, and exploring local heritage.