The building met its fate last week, after city council voted to continue with their plans to tear down the building, which was on its last legs to begin with.

Coun. Jim Handley unsuccessfully made a last-minute attempt to save the dilapidated building at the May 12 city council meeting after a letter was received from Randy Barnes, president of the Thorold and Beaverdams Historical Society.

In the letter Barnes asked the city to restore the historic building to its original location on Old Thorold Stone Road, just east of the Seaway. The society president wrote that the building could "become a further asset to future tourist-related development," and urged the city to "seriously consider restoring and preserving the historic landmark, rather than going with what might appear the more financially expedient option."

The building, originally built in the 1830s was moved in the mid-'90s to the Canby and River street intersection in Port Robinson. Grants from the federal government as well as donations, paid for the $175,000 reconstruction and relocation project.

The idea was for the Toll House to be joined by other similar historic buildings in a vision of creating a heritage village.

But that never happened.

Instead the city used the building as an extra storage facility until a car crashed into its side, leaving a gaping hole.

Then last August, arsonists set the Toll House on fire.

Coun. Tim Whalen told city council that the building was infested with cats, skunks, mice and other such animals and rodents that made the building into their home.

The city was awaiting money from an insurance company to pay for the demolition, including more money if the city decided to fix the delapidated building. But the cash received to restore the building fell short $21,000, so during budget deliberations council suggested the building be demolished.

After receiving a letter from the Thorold and Beaverdams Historical Society, Coun. Handley suggested holding off on the wrecking ball for two weeks to allow residents a chance to voice their concerns and suggest a new use for the toll house.

But city clerk John Bice told council that a contractor had already been hired to tear the building down and holding off may create legal issues.

In the end, council voted against Handley's motion to hold off on the demolition.

"We tried," said Handley after the vote.

The building met the wrecking ball on May 8. All that remains is a pile of dirt and a garbage dumpster.

The historical society's Barnes said he was "sorry to see it go."

"Looking at the heritage value it was still a building. I understand all the negatives, but it was still worth salvaging, and I thought it would have been a nice tourism feature," said Barnes.

"I guess the city decided it wasn't worth fixing."