Sam Jakes Inn

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One of Eastern Ontario’s finest inns, Sam Jakes Inn is located only 45 minutes south of Ottawa, but is, so our guests say, a world and centuries removed from the stresses and over stimulation of urban life.

Sam Jakes Inn is a four-star heritage country inn and a first-rate getaway overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal in idyllic, historic Merrickville. Here you can escape from your fast-paced everyday world, but still enjoy contemporary life’s comforts and conveniences.

Sam Jakes Inn offers you a polished country presence, gracious suites and rooms, renowned fresh local flavours regional cuisine served in the Inn’s elegant dining room, pub or garden patio, meeting rooms stocked with all high-tech conference essentials, a cozy library, an on-site spa, friendly, discerning staff, four seasons filled to the brim with local recreational and social activities and events, plus a host of other luxuries.

A conference, a business meeting or retreat, a romantic wedding or anniversary party, a holiday party a reunion, spa packages, a girls’ getaway, a getaway for “just the two of you” . . . an unquenchable, overwhelming urge. Whatever the occasion, whatever the celebration, Sam Jakes Inn is your destination of choice!

An architectural and historic Eastern Ontario landmark, Sam Jakes Inn has been meticulously restored and enhanced to reflect the grandeur, heritage and decor of the Victorian era. Innkeeper Lisa Clarke and staff continue to pay homage to the past by instilling in the Inn an atmosphere of old-fashioned country charm and timeless hospitality.

Our History

The restored stone building (circa 1861) that forms the core of Sam Jakes Inn was built for and originally owned by Samuel Jakes. An Irish immigrant who came to the Merrickville area in the 1830's, Jakes rose to prominence as a business entrepreneur and an esteemed member of the community. His grand home with its stylish gables, cornice mouldings, dressed cornerstones and welcoming wraparound verandah was a residence befitting a man of his status.

Sam Jakes was a schoolteacher, a postmaster and Merrickville’s second reeve, but is best known for his success as a merchant. By the time his house was completed, he was operating a three-story department store at the intersection of Main and St. Lawrence streets. The “Jakes Block,” according to local lore was once the largest department store, complete with elevator, between Chicago and Montréal.

After Sam Jakes death the stone mansion passed to George Jakes, Sam's son. The house remained in the family until the 1930s.

In 1988, Gary Clarke purchased the building. Well-recognized for his work in the areas of tourism, heritage and the environment, Clarke succeeded in having the building designated a provincially significant heritage structure. Following this the exterior was meticulously restored to its past grandeur.

The guestrooms, located in a new three-storey addition, all depict an 1860's decor. In the fall of 2000, the Jakes’ “Granary,” an adjacent vintage building, was restored to house three luxury suites and a high-tech conference and reception centre. Sam Jakes Inn is a skilful blending of the old. And an elegant and captivating cornerstone in Merrickville, a village whose streets remain rich in 19th century architecture and ambience.

Jakes’ first wife, Sarah Chester, died in 1878. He remarried a year later. It is said Sarah’s ghost haunts the Inn, possibly because of Sam’s hasty remarriage. However, we like to believe the reason for Sarah’s prolonged stay is because, like many of our guests, she simply finds it hard to leave! Sam Jakes, who died on September 18, 1912, has never been seen at the Inn. But we believe his spirit and his legacy live on here.


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One of Eastern Ontario’s finest inns, Sam Jakes Inn is located only 45 minutes south of Ottawa, but is, so our guests say, a world and centuries removed from the stresses and over stimulation of urban life. Sam Jakes Inn is a four-star heritage country inn and a first-rate getaway overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage Rideau Canal in idyllic, historic Merrickville. Here you can escape from your fast-paced everyday world, but still enjoy contemporary life’s comforts and conveniences. Sam Jakes Inn offers you a polished country presence, gracious suites and rooms, renowned fresh local flavours regional cuisine served in the Inn’s elegant dining room, pub or garden patio, meeting rooms stocked with all high-tech conference essentials, a cozy library, an on-site spa, friendly, discerning staff, four seasons filled to the brim with local recreational and social activities and events, plus a host of other luxuries. A conference, a business meeting or retreat, a romantic wedding or anniversary party, a holiday party a reunion, spa packages, a girls’ getaway, a getaway for “just the two of you” . . . an unquenchable, overwhelming urge. Whatever the occasion, whatever the celebration, Sam Jakes Inn is your destination of choice! An architectural and historic Eastern Ontario landmark, Sam Jakes Inn has been meticulously restored and enhanced to reflect the grandeur, heritage and decor of the Victorian era. Innkeeper Lisa Clarke and staff continue to pay homage to the past by instilling in the Inn an atmosphere of old-fashioned country charm and timeless hospitality. Our History The restored stone building (circa 1861) that forms the core of Sam Jakes Inn was built for and originally owned by Samuel Jakes. An Irish immigrant who came to the Merrickville area in the 1830's, Jakes rose to prominence as a business entrepreneur and an esteemed member of the community. His grand home with its stylish gables, cornice mouldings, dressed cornerstones and welcoming wraparound verandah was a residence befitting a man of his status. Sam Jakes was a schoolteacher, a postmaster and Merrickville’s second reeve, but is best known for his success as a merchant. By the time his house was completed, he was operating a three-story department store at the intersection of Main and St. Lawrence streets. The “Jakes Block,” according to local lore was once the largest department store, complete with elevator, between Chicago and Montréal. After Sam Jakes death the stone mansion passed to George Jakes, Sam's son. The house remained in the family until the 1930s. In 1988, Gary Clarke purchased the building. Well-recognized for his work in the areas of tourism, heritage and the environment, Clarke succeeded in having the building designated a provincially significant heritage structure. Following this the exterior was meticulously restored to its past grandeur. The guestrooms, located in a new three-storey addition, all depict an 1860's decor. In the fall of 2000, the Jakes’ “Granary,” an adjacent vintage building, was restored to house three luxury suites and a high-tech conference and reception centre. Sam Jakes Inn is a skilful blending of the old. And an elegant and captivating cornerstone in Merrickville, a village whose streets remain rich in 19th century architecture and ambience. Jakes’ first wife, Sarah Chester, died in 1878. He remarried a year later. It is said Sarah’s ghost haunts the Inn, possibly because of Sam’s hasty remarriage. However, we like to believe the reason for Sarah’s prolonged stay is because, like many of our guests, she simply finds it hard to leave! Sam Jakes, who died on September 18, 1912, has never been seen at the Inn. But we believe his spirit and his legacy live on here.	About Sam Jakes Inn Newsletters Testimonials Our Partners Gift Certificate Employment Map & Directions Contact Us
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