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David Pim & The Ermatinger Stone House

David Pim & The Ermatinger Old Stone House

According to written accounts by travelers passing through Sault Ste. Marie, the hotel that David Pim established in the Ermatinger Old Stone House in 1852 provided comfortable lodging and good food. William H.G. Kingston described the hotel in 1855 as "...furnished as comfortably as necessary and never was there a more attentive landlord or landlady, nor have we tasted better provender since we landed in America".

Although the Ermatinger family had the opportunity to acquire legal title to the Old Stone House in 1852, Charles Ermatinger, the son of Charles Oakes Ermatinger signed over his rights to the land to David Pim in 1853. In 1858, David Pim purchased the property from the Crown for the sum of two pounds ten shillings and became the first person to hold legal title to the Old Stone House.

As a condition of the sale an allowance was reserved for the construction of Front Street (now Bay Street). Pim was also required to allow free access to the shore of the St. Mary's River to all boats and people.

In 1862 Pim increased his land holdings with the purchase of a third lot along Pim Street.

Wagon on Warf by William Armstrong showing the Ermatinger Old Stone House & Government Dock	Deed to Old Stone House 1858. Collection of the Sault Ste Marie Public Library Archives	Deed to land purchase 1862. Collection of the Sault Ste Marie Public Library Archives