The hydro opened on Terrace Road in the early 1880s and by 1887 J. Cross was the steward. Dr. Samuel Hyde
was its physican and Mrs. Kate McGregor was the manageress in 1891 although she moved to the Queens
Hotel, Bridge of Allan later that year. She was back in Buxton by 1895[1].
Dr. Hyde, who died in 1900, had been a great advocate of Buxton as a health giving resort. He was the
founder of the Balneological and Climatological Society and an acknowledged authority on the use of
medicinal waters[2].
In 1911 the hydro's 150 rooms had been redecorated, refurbished, and there were also self-contained suites.
It offered Turkish and other baths[3].
In August 1914 the Peak Hydro advertised that they had "the
finest ballroom in the North" as well as "the only
Turkish Baths in Buxton"[4].
The hotel was described as" luxuriously furnished" and
with "the finest cuisine"[4].
Then war was declared and by November 1914 the "Royal
Engineers had set up a headquarters for the preliminary training
of 1,800 men" at the Hydro[5].
By May 1916 the Hydro had been fully fitted out as an up to date hospital for the Canadian wounded and
there were already about 150 in residence[6]. On 11 Aug 1916
the Duchess of Devonshire officially opened the Canadian Red Cross Hospital set up
at the hotel[7]. The Times noted that" many Canadians
were present, including Major-General Sir Sam Hughes"[7].
This postcard was probably sent by one of the soldiers and is postmarked 5 Jun 1918. On the back it is
franked with the slogan "Buy National War Bonds".
On January 1st 1918 the National War Saving's Committee advertised in The Times suggesting
people should invest in National War Bonds as a New Year Resolution as a patriot![8]
The Canadian Red Cross Society instructed that all surplus furniture, bedding linen and machinery should be sold
after they departed and everything was to be auctioned in August 1919. Items included two billiard tables and a bagatelle table with
accessories, a cello and violin, 80 armchairs and upholstered wicker chairs, 200 bedside tables, 2 bales of sphagnum
moss and other dressings, 13 copper sterilising drums, 300 pyjamas, a Singer's tailor's sewing maching and a new wringer[9].
The former hydro and hospital is now the home of the Buxton Museum and Art Gallery. It had been unoccupied
since the departure of the Canadian troops, and was purchased by Buxton Corporation in 1925 for use as a both
a free library and museum, at a reported cost of £4,100[10].
The Canadians also took over another large Derbyshire Hotel as a hospital in WW1 - the Royal Hotel in Matlock Bath.
 There is more about the Royal Hotel elsewhere
on this web site
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