Hotel Haunting in Cambridge
A first hand account of ghostly experiences in the historic and haunted, hundred year old Sulpher Springs Hotel.
One of the oldest buildings in Cambridge Ontario, the Preston Springs Gardens Hotel was once the very idea of opulence for many important and even aristocratic Canadians. Just after the turn of the century this historic and regal hotel was a drawing point for some of Canada’s richest and most famous high-lifers. They would come in droves to experience the sulphur spring baths offered by the hotel as a healing spa service, possibly the first spa of its kind. The Sulphur Springs Gardens, given its name for the immense sulphur water spring flowing beneath it, boasted lush gardens and lavish accommodations with a world class dining lounge. They offered both indoor and outdoor sits baths with full service attendants, five floors and 130 rooms, a beautifully elaborate elevator and ornate carpentry; it really was the epitome of luxury in its day.
In approximately 1940 the hotel closed its doors; unable to keep up with the ever growing demands of the fine hotel industry. As general medicine advanced and a new understanding of health practises became known, the vast majority of the patrons shied away from the so-called healing properties of the sulphur baths, leaving ownership with a grand but empty hotel.
Several years later the property was renovated into a retirement villa, maintaining much of the luxury of the old hotel. It was updated to meet more modern codes of operation and enjoyed many years of success, until finally the expense of running such an antiquated building became prohibitive and the doors were once again closed.
Since that final failure of business the hotel has sat empty, brooding and waiting for an influx of new energy. Several times the property was purchased by eager and industrious developers with grand plans to either restore the building to its former glory or to reinvent its hallowed walls and sweeping stairways. Each and every attempt to renovate this property has since failed, and not through a lack of effort, financial fortitude nor vision. Each renovation has been met with perilous accidents, unexplained technical issues and insurmountable personnel problems.
I was given opportunity to experience the mood of this neglected and overrun establishment over more than two years as the general caretaker during a period of complete vacancy. I was tasked with security, minor maintenance and just an overall responsibility for the property. Living on the grounds in a small service residence located just next to the massive hotel, I had sole access to the building and took it upon myself to patrol the grounds at least once a day.
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Post CommentBeautiful
On September 25, 2008 at 10:50 am
My Name is Lori and had been raised in the “Preston” are of Cambridge all my life, The “Old” as we classify as Sulphur Springs Hotel was a and still is a Beautiful Heritage Landmark. I always wanted to go inside the Hotel and one day did journey myself inside it’s front doors as a courious child does, just being inquisitive. It was breath taking and still today the images are still burned into my memory.
Thankyou for sharing your story
Lori
phrenzee
On November 27, 2008 at 5:15 am
Thanks for the great spine tingling story.
I would love to have seen the interior of the hotel prior to it being renovated.
I was inside earlier this year. Here are some photos:
http://picasaweb.google.com/phrenzee/PrestonSpringsRevisited#
Alysha
On August 11, 2009 at 3:00 pm
I was just speaking to a retired Cambridge police officer that I work with today, and you seem to have some facts misplaced. The old hotel was called Preston Springs. Sulfur Springs was ANOTHER hotel located across the street where there is now an empty (albeit overgrown) lot, in front of the Condo apartment building.
Also, when he arrived in the area in 1955, it was still active as Preston Springs, and had not yet closed or been turned into a retirement home.
I found this site because we had this conversation earlier, and I was interested in learning more, but if what I find on the internet is not historical fact, then I might as well just talk to the old people instead.
Pepper
On October 13, 2009 at 2:44 am
umm lol I hate to tell u this but Alysha is right. Sulfur Springs was a totally different place that was 100 feet away.. it burned down– I watched it burn down when I was a kid. This Hotel/retirement home was just Preston Springs with NO sulfur in the name.
Seriously u need to check your facts before printing them as truths online
Steve
On January 8, 2010 at 5:16 pm
Where could i find information on the owners of the place? I would like to do a paranormal research in there. I have started a paranormal research group in Cambridge and would like to have this as our first place to visit as a group.
If any one knows anymore info about the place or would like to join our group please contact me.
stevieb357@gmail.com subject GHOST
Thanks
Chadd
On April 17, 2010 at 3:51 am
I have to say this is a very interesting story and it makes me want to check out the actual inside of this building… I’m wondering is it possible to arrange a visit of the building with the current caretaker? If there is a way? Or is it forbidden to visit because the inside of this building would be great for photography and school reports. I would love a reply Martin if at all possible! Thanks
Danielle
On May 6, 2010 at 4:27 am
My question is basically the same as Chad’s.
Is there any way possible that you can get inside of this place for a photoshoot.
I’m 22 years old and do some modeling and for as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to go inside this place and take a look around. I’m sure it would make for some wonderful photos.
After reading that story above im not sure if id like to be in there at night but it would be just wonderful if I could arrange something with someone to get inside in daylight for a photoshoot.
Even if someone could get me in, they could tag along with me and the photographer just to keep an eye on things.
If someone could get back to me on this, my email is cocobunny6975@hotmail.com.
Crossing my fingers and hoping to hear back.
Danielle
Rachel
On May 16, 2010 at 6:13 pm
I live just down the street from the old Preston Springs… I\’ve always wanted to go in but never have! Someone should come with me!!
Sherry
On December 8, 2010 at 11:49 pm
I would love to see pictures of what the original building was like inside when it was in its’ glory. As to the caretakers ghost, any idea who he might have been? An ancient accident victim of the hotel?…Did any guests meet with misfortune during their stay back in the day?
I think it’s a sin that such a beautiful old building with such an amazing history now stands cold and empty. It would surely make a most incredible restaraunt or vetrans house of honour.
Marsha
On March 31, 2011 at 7:15 pm
Here are some of the facts, there were infact 3 hotels the largest on Fountain St facing King St being the Del Monte which was changed to the Preston Springs Hotel & sanitarium, then the preston Springs Gardens. The sulfur springs do run under this building! second was the North American Hotel (not sure but I have also found that the Springs Hotel was call this) which most of us know as the Hotel Kress, and was also renamed the Sherwood Kress Hotel, and Last there was the Sulphur Springs Hotel or freddies. From what I can figure out they all offered the mineral sulphur baths for healing. But almost everyone you ask will say that the builing that is still standing is called the Old Preston Sulphur Springs hotel. I am in research up to my knees and want to complete this chronological order of events, owners and happening at this place! Wish me luck..
Brenda Hull
On May 19, 2011 at 12:48 pm
I have just moved in to Cambridge this year, when I was driving around just getting use to the area I came across the Preston Hotel. It is a very interesting building , I would like to take a tour of it . How would I go about finding some some more information about it. I would really like to go inside and see it for my self. Who would I have to contact for that information?
central Hotel Girl
On December 24, 2011 at 10:07 pm
all the old timers I know from cambridge called it the kress Hotel There is alot of amazing history in preston and alot of old builiding Central hotel is another one thats really old but still open andrunning it is been a dream of mine to go inside ther Kress hotel sometime It is totally a heart breaker that nothing is being done if not already at some point with will be unrepairable and torn down Dover flower mill also as a long history Central Hotel has been around since 1839 it also has some creepy storys and intersting history
Lindsey
On December 27, 2011 at 8:57 pm
secondly I have to say that some of the infomtion is incorrect the sulfer springs was across the street the hotel your speaking of was the Kress Hotel I do know alot of Preston history so I know im not mistaking about this also if you wanna talk about werd happening I was a manager at the Central hotel in preston built in 1839 it is one of the oldest building in cambridge and one of the only ones that have never had a major fire and has been open as a hotel since 1839 anyways while there one night after close i doubled checked all the door washrooms making sure no one was left and went into the office to do my paper work. I heard a noise like 2 males chattting i went out seached the bar nothing now keep in mind there is 27 rooms above so i chalked it up to noise from upstairs went back into the office to finish my paper work and than i heard like running water so i thouht great another pipe broke but when i came out i found all the sinks in the mans and ladies washrooms were on full blast there was no one in there with me weird and another time i came in to open up and all the sinks in the mans washroom were half full of water and the bar sink there were no plugs in the sink the water just sitting there i put my hand in one to see if maybe it got cloged some how even know i cleaned the washroooms before i went home and i called the security company to make sure the alarm had not been disarmed since i set it the night before that is only 2 of many many story from there