Historic information behind the Bascom House Hotel in Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada revealed.

The Bascom House Hotel is one of the forgotten house hotels of Canada. This news article will reveal the history behind the Bascom House Hotel.

The Bascom House Hotel was built by an architect in 1884. The Bascom House Hotel operated from 1884 until 1920. John Bascom built and ran the Bascom House Hotel. Uxbridge-Times Journal moved into the former hotel in 1920 and stayed there until the year 1957. (Ref: https://www.flickr.com/photos/57156785@N02/28441713585)


The Bascom House Hotel had first opened in 1884. John Bascom was the owner and operator of Bascom House Hotel. A large three-story stable at the new Bascom House had just been completed at the time. (Ref: http://www.scugogheritage.com/history/uxbridgefirst100.pdf)

Bascom House Hotel hosted their first annual supper in February of 1885. Ontario Times wrote a news article about their first annual supper. (Ref: Ontario Times, February 1885)

“The Uxbridge Firemen’s Brigade held their annual supper at the Bascom House and the dining room of the fine new hotel was filled by the firemen and numerous visitors.”

Alex Leslie bought the Bascom House Hotel building for a good sum in cash the Bascom Estate in May 1896. Mr. E.C. Burton was hired to run Bascom House Hotel. Alex Leslie and Mr. E.C. Burton were made the new owners of Bascom House Hotel. (Ref: Ontario Times, May 1896)

“Alex Leslie, has bought the Bascom House hotel for a good round sum in cash from the Bascom estate. Mr. E.C. Burton has been hired to run the hotel business.”

The band stand for the Bascom House Hotel was removed in April of 1897 when two sample rooms were built on Brock Street. (Ref: Ontario Times, April 1897)

“McGuire and Low purchased the furniture stock of J.H. O’Brien to sell in their store in the Wheler Block. Two sample rooms are scheduled to be built for the Bascom House on Brock St. this year, which will necessitate the removal of the band stand.”

The ‘Sample Rooms’ were built on the west side of the hotel as a separate building with three arched windows. This building was used by travelers bringing new products to town to show and sell to the local merchants.


Harold Cave purchased the former Bascom House Hotel building in 1920. He moved machinery and offices into this building. A large three-story stable at the new Bascom House had just been completed at the time. He closed The Uxbridge Journal office at the corner of Brock Street and Church Street and moved The Journal’s equipment to his plant in the former Bascom House Hotel on Brock Street where he had been publishing the North Ontario Times for a number of years in 1957. (Ref: http://www.scugogheritage.com/history/uxbridgefirst100.pdf)

Bascom House Hotel was located at 21 Brock Street West, Uxbridge, Ontario, Canada.