The Arlington Hotel is a historic hotel in Paris, Ontario. Built in the early 1850s by O.B. Bradford, it was first known as the Bradford House/Hotel. The Ealand family, who took over the house in 1882 after O.B. Bradford's sudden death, and renamed it the Arlington. The hotel was the site of many important social occasions, including the farewell gathering in 1940 for the first group of Paris soldiers before their departure overseas during the Second World War, which was chaired by Mayor J. P. McCammon. The hotel underwent many ownership changes through the years. In the mid-90s the hotel was bought and renovated before closing in the mid-2000s. In 2014 the hotel was bought by a group of owners who renovated the hotel and restaurant. The restaurant was re-opened as "The Forks at the Arlington", a tribute to Paris being the fork of the Grand and Nith Rivers. The hotel now boasts three eateries: edit., 1851 Public House, and The Library Bar at The Arlington. The hotel was recognized as an Ontario Heritage Site on May 15, 1990.
Ownership History
The Bradford House was built in the early 1850s by O.B. Bradford, an immigrant from Pennsylvania. Mr. Bradford owned the hotel until his death in May, 1882. The hotel was then owned by a Mr. Ealand who planned to open a sulfur spring spa. Unfortunately the water turned brown due to rusting pipes. He also added an extension hotel and ran the hotel until his death in 1901. The hotel was then leased to a Mr. Cornish from 1901 to 1925 until the hotel was once again operated by the Ealand family. It was operated by Eva Ealand until 1956 and then Herbert Ealand until 1962. Herbert Ealand sold the hotel to William J. Ferguson. Ferguson became a councilor in Paris and made improvements to the hotel before selling it in 1967. The hotel was bought by Torontonians George Lookers and Art McGill, who sold the hotel later that year. The hotel was then bought by Bob and Rae Anderson, who ran the hotel from 1969-1972. In 1972 the hotel was sold to Michael Perdue who ran it until late 1983 when it was bought by Adrian Parker. Parker, after attempting renovations, sold the building to Athanasios Soliriow. In 1988 Edward Brokhusens sold the hotel to brothers Joe and John Skupnik. In 1998 the brothers completely renovated the hotel and reopened it in 2000. The hotel was closed again in the mid-2000s, only to be bought and renovated again by Nils Foss, reopening to the public in June 2014. The hotel changed hands in June 2016, over to The Other Bird partnership of Erin Dunham and Matthew Kershaw. The Arlington has once again been renovated with 24 literary themed rooms. The Other Bird is a Hamilton-based hospitality group currently owns 6 restaurants, along with this hotel.
