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161 Albert Street has a long and interesting history in the community. This grand home at one time was a triplex of apartments and has since been lovingly restored to a single-family home.

The original large lot was divided and a second neighbouring address of 161B was built.

Built in 1874, by C. F. Smith, a local tinsmith and John Pepper, a local carpenter for approximately $1000. This stately home has two stories and features a repeated gabled roof, with decorative bargeboards and three (remaining) finials on the corner edges of the gables.

The house did originally boast a large front verandah which had been removed years ago.

During renovations over the years, small mementos have been discovered in the home, including old bottles, a ticket to a concert at City Hall in 1882 and an antique servant room bell.

Two antique bottles and event ticket on display.
Photo of Prime Minister Mackenzie Bowell.

This beautiful home was purchased by Sir Mackenzie Bowell; the 5th Prime Minister of Canada in 1897 as a residence for his son Charles Bowell, his wife Ida Elizabeth Steele and their family. Charles was the president and manager of the Intelligencer Printing and Publishing Company in Belleville, Ontario. Rumour has it Charles liked to drink and when he did, he liked to shoot firearms. It was said that every room had a lock to either keep Charles locked in or out!

Charles died in Belleville on May 6, 1921, and was buried in Belleville Cemetery.

After his death, his wife Ida resided in the home until she moved to Toronto around 1926.

Past occupants of Albert St.

  • 1924  161 - Ms. Winfred Isabel Working, the Editor of the Intelligencer
  • 1924  161-1/2 - George Meagher and his wife Mabel (Owner of well-known Meagher’s Men’s Wear on Front St. Belleville)
  • 1926  161 - Herman F. Willkie
  • 1926  161-1/2 - James Downey
  • 1958-1963  Gerald (Gerry) Egerton and Bev Boyce. (Gerry was a founding member of the Hastings County Historical Society and was instrumental in establishing the Hastings County Museum, Glanmore House and the Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County. He wrote several books on the history of Belleville and Hastings County)
  • 1989-2019  the Belanger family
  • 2019-2023  the Rumley family

(We continue to research the past owners, tenants and stories of 161 Albert St.)

In 2024 Jennifer and Ian took ownership of 161 Albert Street with the intention of opening the doors of this grand home for guests to enjoy as a bed and breakfast.

Archival black ink sketch of the exterior of the brick century home with gabled roof and gingerbread trim.
Archival black and white photo of the exterior of the brick century home with a large front porch and man and woman standing in front.
Archival colour painting of the exterior of the red brick century home with large white front porch with gabled roof and white gingerbread trim and finials.

References: Heritage Buildings East of Moira, Community Archives of Belleville and Hastings County. Paintings – Courtesy of Rick Belanger.