By DAVE KOSONIC

The historic and former Almont Hotel is more than 130-years-old and still sits gracefully at the corner of Lake Shore Blvd. W., and Kipling Ave., as a reminder of having seen grander times.
Today the iconic building at 3166 Lake Shore Blvd. W., is owned by Humber College and is used as a fashion design facility by students.
It is chronicled that the pub was built in 1890 by John Sheene, an Irishman, who always wanted to own a hotel in New Toronto.
“Being across the street from the asylum, young people were often sent invitations to dances held to give the patients a chance to socialize,” according to records. Its location was halfway between Peel region and Toronto and farmers would often stop overnight for a toddy on their trips to the market.
There were many horse-drawn buggies parked in front of the hotel as travelers on their way to Toronto and beyond slept, ate and drank. As the years passed by, the second level at the west-end of the hotel was removed after the horse-and-buggy days were overtaken by the motor car and disappeared into history.
In 1924 when the Long Branch Racetrack came into operation business at the Almont was booming and featured a shuttle service between the Horner Ave., racetrack and the hotel.
If the tavern in the Almont could talk it would have stories to tell, says John Surmachynski, of Etobicoke, who recalls going to the mens’ beverage room during the early 1960’s after work to drink cold beer with his co-workers
“Draught beer cost 10-cents a glass and you could only be served one glass at a time,” he says, adding the beverage room could get rowdy at times if some of the guys had a bit too much to drink.
During the 1950’s, a large sign above the front entrance advertised a ‘Giant Television’ which was a luxury then. Apparently there was also a ladies and escorts section at the Almont and it is said that teachers-in-training from the nearby Lakeshore Teachers’ College would drop by for a few pints now-and-then.
Still this building and its distinctive spire constructed at the front corner of the Almont 130-years-ago remains intact as a symbol of a historic and happy place.