
The Cheshire Cat Pub was originally a one-room schoolhouse, S.S. No. 1 Huntley. Thomas Mulligan donated the land in 1820 for the site of “Mulligan’s School”. Initially, there were log structures before a stone building was erected in 1883. After the school closed in 1957, it was converted into a private home, tea room and eventually a restaurant. Dustin and his wife, Crystal have owned the pub since 2005 and turned it into a 'real community restaurant'.
I was so fortunate to have had my book launch there, and interviewed several teachers and students who had attended the old schoolhouse. Their stories are recorded in my book.
Dustin vows “We’ll be back” to his loyal patrons, but many historical mementos were lost in the blaze.