Our Story

The Beginning

Thomas Quanttyra, a skilled blacksmith from Yorkshire, established the original forge right here on Heritage Lane. Back then, this place was all about horseshoes, wagon wheels, and the kind of hard work that built communities. The forge quickly became the beating heart of the village - everyone needed something fixed, forged, or fashioned.

Golden Age of Craftsmanship

By the 1880s, the Quanttyra family had expanded operations. They weren't just making practical stuff anymore - they'd gotten into ornamental ironwork, decorative pieces for the grand homes popping up around Niagara. Three generations worked side by side in those massive workshops. You can still see some of their handiwork on historic buildings throughout town.

The Quiet Years

Things changed after the wars. Industrialization meant people didn't need local blacksmiths the way they used to. The forge scaled back, eventually becoming more of a specialty workshop. By the '50s, it was mostly doing restoration work - keeping the old ways alive but not quite thriving. The building sat mostly quiet for decades, though locals never forgot what it meant to the community.

A New Vision

When we first walked through these doors, we saw something special. Sure, the roof leaked and half the floorboards were shot, but the bones were incredible. Those hand-hewn timber beams, the original stone walls, the massive forge chimney - you can't fake that kind of authenticity. We knew we had to preserve it while giving it new life. The question wasn't whether to restore it, but how to honor what came before.

The Transformation

Two and a half years of careful restoration. We worked with heritage consultants, local craftspeople, and artisans who understood what we were trying to do. Every decision was about balance - modern comfort without erasing history. The old workshop became our spa, but we kept the original tool racks as design elements. Guest suites were carved out of storage lofts, with exposed beams and ironwork incorporated into the decor. It was exhausting, exhilarating, and worth every headache.

Living Heritage

We opened our doors in spring 2022, and honestly, it's been better than we imagined. The artisan workshops are probably what we're most proud of - guests can try blacksmithing, pottery, woodworking, all in spaces where those crafts were practiced for generations. We've partnered with local makers who teach their trades with the same passion the Quanttyra family had. It's not just a hotel - it's a place where heritage stays alive through doing, not just looking.

Come see what we've built. Or rather, what we've preserved and reimagined. There's always something being created here.