|
|
The Algoma Hotel was built on Cumberland Street near Lorne in Port Arthur in the late 1880s under the proprietorship of John Merrill and George Hodder. It was the home of several prominent personalities. Among them were James Oliver Curwood (who wrote God's County and other novels), and Bob Edwards, a controversial newspaper editor. Edwards published the Eye Opener first in Calgary and then in Port Arthur in the early years of the 20th century but in both cases was forced out of town by irate citizens. According to one author, Bob could often be seen coming out of the hotel in the mornings, "so groggy that he had to hang onto the railings to keep from falling." When greeted with the words "Drunk again Bob?", he would always reply "So am I."