Our History

The site where Villa Saint‑Joseph du Lac stands today has long held a special place in the community. In the 1930s, the property was known as Lakeside Park—a popular destination accessible by electric streetcar from downtown Yarmouth. Known locally as Murphy’s Bridge, the route crossed a scenic chain of three ponds once called First, Second, and Third Pond—now known as Lake Milo, Middle Lake, and Doctor’s Lake. What’s now Lakeside Drive was once the original “Pond Road,” running alongside Lake Milo.

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In the early 1930s, the Canadian Pacific Railway built the Lakeside Inn on this picturesque site. The five-star inn became a destination for both local residents and American visitors, known for its grand architecture and serene surroundings. Built in the French Eclectic style, the Inn featured a concrete, tile, and stone structure with a large front verandah. The property included five cottages, a boathouse, pump house, water tower, fire hydrants, tennis courts, and a small beach—creating a vibrant lakeside retreat.

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In 1958, at the request of Bishop Lamenager of the Diocese of Yarmouth, Les Religieuses Hospitalières de Saint-Joseph (RHSJ) were invited to establish a home for the elderly. The founding sisters—Sisters Mélanie Lavoie, Yvonne Hubert, and Claudia Toussaint (Sirios)—arrived on October 9, 1958, and welcomed the first 17 residents into the newly named Foyer Saint‑Joseph just one month later.

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On April 1, 1960, the Canadian Pacific Company sold the Lakeside Inn to the RHSJ Congregation with the condition that the property be used for healthcare, senior care, religious education, or similar work. The sisters officially transitioned the Inn into Villa Saint‑Joseph du Lac, repurposing its hospitality roots into a haven of compassionate care.

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Over the years, the Villa expanded to meet growing demand:

• 1964: A new floor and elevator were added to accommodate the sisters.

• 1977: The kitchen was fully renovated.

• 1982: A major east wing addition included a physio room, resident lounges, whirlpool rooms, and a second elevator.

• 1991: A chapel, quiet room, additional whirlpool room, and updated fire escape were added.

• 2005: The steam heating system was replaced with an oil-fired hot water system.

• 1990s–2000s: Administration transitioned to lay leadership, supported by a Board of Directors established in 1965.

After 55 years of service in the historic Lakeside Inn, the Villa entered a new chapter in 2015 with the opening of a modern, purpose-built facility. The new two-story building houses 79 private resident rooms grouped into six individual villas under one roof. Nestled on a tranquil 30-acre property in Dayton, Nova Scotia, Villa Saint‑Joseph du Lac continues to serve with dignity, compassion, and deep community roots.