Dominion Hill in 1928
From Farmstead to Legacy Estate
A farm was established at Dominion Hill around 1890 that was owned by the Holts, a local family with deep roots in the region. At that time, the area around St. Andrews was becoming a popular summer residence for wealthy Canadians and Americans.
The most prominent resident was Sir William Van Horne, the man responsible for building the railroad that linked Canada together in 1885 (more about Van Horne). In 1928, the property was purchased by Mary Louise Curtis Bok, heiress to the Curtis
Publishing empire of Philadelphia. Her father, Cyrus Curtis, was born in Portland Maine, and became one of the most prominent businessmen of that era. Among his many ventures were the Ladies’ Home Journal and the Saturday Evening Post, which became the leading magazines of their times. Many of the covers, illustrated by Norman Rockwell, are displayed at Dominion Hill Country Inn. (more about Curtis)
Cyrus Curtis
Mary Louise’s Bold Vision
Mary Louise Curtis Bok, a leading philanthropist, summered at Dominion Hill for several decades. She was rumoured to be very liberated for the times. Mary Louise drove a large pink automobile throughout the region, accompanied by her chauffeur, who often sat in the back. Her support of the arts, education and community improvement remain evident today, including the renown Curtis Institute of Music.
From Battlefields to Dominion Hill
The property was sold to General James Van Fleet, a four-star general in the U.S. Army. General Van Fleet was one of the most decorated soldiers in America. He fought in the Calvary against Mexico, World War I and II, and the Korean War. As the commander of the Armed Forces in Korea, General Van Fleet pleaded with his superiors to allow him to have two more months to unify the country. His request was denied, and the agreement that created North and South Korea was negotiated. (How different our world might be if he had been allowed, as he stated, “to finish the job.”) President Harry Truman referred to General Van Fleet as “the greatest general we ever had.” General Van Fleet spent time at Dominion Hill for 30 years until he died in 1992 at the age of 100. (more about Van Fleet)
Michael Campbell - Previous Owner
Revival and Renewal
The property was then vacant for many years until a local musician and his wife acquired Dominion Hill and began to restore it to its former state. For several years they operated a restaurant that was renowned for its Sunday brunches. Gary and Joy Best bought the property in 2009 and operated it as a retreat center until they moved to British Columbia to be near their grandchildren.
Michael Campbell became the owner of Dominion Hill Country Inn in 2017. He restored all of the buildings to reflect their original quality and elegance. The barn had been renovated to host weddings and family reunions, the Carriage House and blacksmith shop are now two large suites. Cottages had been renovated and glamping sites were built on the slopes of Dominion Hill.
The Next Generation of Dominion Hill
In August 2025, Dominion Hill entered a new chapter when four young owners from Saskatchewan (Adam, Kaitlin, Billy, and Ally) assumed ownership. United by a shared dream of running a countryside inn, they brought with them a unique blend of talents: a Red Seal Chef, an event coordinator, a marketer, and a business strategist. Together, their vision is to honour Dominion Hill’s remarkable past while building a vibrant future, welcoming guests from near and far to experience the inn’s history, beauty, and East Coast charm.
