Alberta Hotel

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

The Bar at the Alberta Hotel was said to be the longest between Winnipeg and Vancouver in the early part of the 20th century. The bar was frequented by regulars such as Senator Patrick Burns and future Prime Minister RB Bennett, who owned a private table at the bar. In 1911 the building had several gargoyles installed outside of it was were unusual for being modeled on individuals you would find on a newspaper staff, as opposed to fantastical animals.Along with the bar, the hotel also contained the largest barbershop in Calgary, which included 12 chairs. It served as a meeting point for local business people who would often begin meetings in the barbershop and finish them over drinks at the bar.

Images

Alberta Hotel circa 1893

Alberta Hotel Circa 1958

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

The Alberta Hotel served as a hostelry for pioneers and ranchers and a gathering place for visitors to Calgary from the surrounding rural areas. Architecturally significant as one of the oldest structures in downtown Calgary and is distinguished by its use of sandstone in its construction. Construction of the original portion of the building began in 1888 and is a direct example of the changes in building practices post “Great Fire of 1886.” It is a rare example of Italianate style of design in Calgary as few remain in Calgary. The ground floor of the building has been altered while the second and third floors retain their sandstone exterior. Numerous stories are surrounding the regulars at the bar, such as Mother Fulman. She was known as “The Queen of Garbage Row” for collecting waste from hotels around the city to feed her pigs and was notable for her colourful vocabulary and ability to out-drink any man in the bar. Another regular was the deaf architect J.J. Wilson who would mistake every remark said to him as an invitation to drink. A man once attempted to rob the bar while armed with a gun. The bartender reportedly squirted the soda siphon in his hand into the robber’s eye, temporarily blinding him and allowing the bartender to grab his gun from his hand and call the police to arrest him. After the passage of prohibition in 1916, the bar was closed down after the last supper held by its final owner Charles Taprell. After its closure, the bar was kept in place and put into storage while the building was remodelled, and businesses were brought into the first and second floors.

Sources

Image Sources(Click to expand)

NA-654-1 used with permission from the Glenbow Library and Archives

aj_25-8, Allison Jackson Photograph, Calgary Public Library