Wayback Wednesday, sponsored by Jamie Lockwood, broker/owner of Sutton Group Muskoka Realty, with family roots of more than 100 years in Huntsville and Almaguin
Does anyone remember going to the Sprucedale Hotel before it shut down?
The Sprucedale Hotel served as the heart of the village and one of the best-known rural taverns and gathering places in the region, located in the Township of McMurrich/Monteith, north of Huntsville. Situated at 2502 Highway 518, it served for many years as a restaurant, bar, and live music venue, and as a popular stop for snowmobilers and ATV riders travelling between Parry Sound and Muskoka.
The hotel was established in 1899, making it one of the community’s oldest commercial buildings. Thousands of travellers, workers, and residents passed through its doors over the decades. Over time, it evolved from a traditional country hotel into a roadhouse-style tavern and restaurant, known for Saturday-night bands, open-mic nights, motorcycle poker runs, New Year’s Eve celebrations, and other community events.
The hotel became a landmark for both locals and visitors because it is situated directly on major snowmobile and ATV trail routes. It was often promoted as a year-round halfway stop for riders looking for a meal and entertainment.
The Sprucedale Hotel has since closed and remains on the market, listed for $499,000 “as is.”
For local historians, the hotel is significant because it represents the era when small northern Ontario communities relied on country hotels as social hubs, transportation stops, meeting places, and entertainment venues. Along with the area’s former railway and tourism economy, the hotel helped shape Sprucedale’s identity for more than a century.
Do you have interesting photos from days gone by to share? We’d love to see them! Email: [email protected]
See more Wayback Wednesday photos HERE.
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Sadly I was never a patron of the iconic Sprucedale hotel, but every time I hear Leah’s brilliant toe-tapping ballad I feel like I’m right there. Thanks to Leah, the legendary Sprucedale Hotel will live on and on!
Great tune Leah….Shoutout to Tobin !
Thank you for sharing your song.
I performed at the Sprucedale Hotel in the 70s and when it closed, I wrote this song:
https://share.google/yU2ifefSFJvTghViL
I can see Mr. Groh, Mrs. Bloomfield, I believe it is Michelle Bull beside her in the front the the Young lady at the side is Kathleen Boucher & Karen Ter
ziano I believe.
In the back left is Brian Groh.
When we first opened our business (2 years earlier),we banked at CIBC and Brian( branch manager) took care of us until he retired. Shortly after that, he came and worked with us for many years, during which we became good friends.
The tellers were always great to deal with.