Ashton Hotel

This building is located in Ashton, Ontario. The town itself is split between two adjoining townships, those of Goulbourn (Carleton County) and Beckwith (Lanark County.) The building, along Old Mill Road, was first constructed in the mid-19th Century. It is constructed of squared logs, approximately 16” in diameter, attached with a full dovetail joint. The roof joists of this structure are smaller logs, halved and pinned along the ridge. The building is similar to the architectural type later referred to as a four-square house, a square plan with central stair case and four rooms per floor. The logs have recently been exposed, but were previously covered by siding. The cellar is dug down approximately 4’, the 14” log joists run the short span of the building and are half cut and recessed into the field stone foundation walls.

There is an addition, probably added towards the end of the 19th century, on the rear. It adds two more rooms, one at grade and an attic space. The framing is modelled after the Balloon Frame method. The studs span the full height of the walls; however on the end gable significant scarfing is required to achieve that height. Uncommon to this framing type, the cavities between the studs are lined with bricks laid in a common bond. The building faced Presley’s Mill, which was situated along the Jock River. It can be supposed that the log structure was built prior to the mill and the addition while it was operational.