Our family lived in the last cabin on the left for several months when we first moved to Alberta. It was pretty tight with eight of us back then but will never forget the memories of the fish pond in the centre and the lumber kiln burning across the highway.
Interesting my whole time living down there and passing by that place always thought it was like it is! Hmmm…thanx for all the past/now pics. I love the history!
Awesome pictures and story Chris and Connie. You two totally bring back wonderful memories to those of us that lived in the Pass. Just to clarify, the sawmill across from it was owned by Revelstoke Companies Ltd., before Atlas Lumber took it over. If I remember correctly, Atlas took it over in the last 70’s or early 80’s.
I love the photos! Thank you for sharing Chris i never knew this was a motel, I didn;t know there was anything special there. Love learning the history on the area.
We actually lived in the cabin on the far left for quite a while when our family moved from BC to Alberta. It was pretty tight quarters with 6 kids. They even had a little fish pond in the centre.
Wow, that does sound a bit cramped. Living in a motel? We did it often when I was a kid. The old man liked to move about. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to come back again sometime soon.
I don’t know anything about the spring water at this location, but do you remember when everyone used to stop along Highway 2 for Nanton water? I remember that was “the thing to do” when traveling up to Calgary. I even recall there being Nanton Root Beer and Nanton Ginger Ale being made for a period of time because Nanton was so famous for its spring water.
Yes, I recall “Nanton Water”. A look online shows it’s still being produced. With all the Sulphur underfoot in the Crowsnest Pass, I wonder how water coming from spring at the Chinook Motel tasted? I’m thinking yuck!
The water is some of the best I’ve ever had. Really cold right out of the tap and very soft. The whole family looked forward to visiting our Grand parents and a glass of water.
It's a strange curiosity in south Kananaskis, there on a hillside and we have no idea who created it. We asked around and no one's completely sure about its history. In the past it showed the Canada 100 logo from 1967 but in 2017 someone changed it to reflect the country's 150th.
That's our friend Emily from DanOCan.com having a look.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2017. Posted by Connie.
April 13th 2024, the Beer Parlour Project visited the Viking Hotel, Viking Alberta and it too was an awesome time. There's Rob Pohl with his curious view camera and in the other photo Chris is seen interviewing local character Doug.
The Viking dates back to the 1930s and replaced a hotel on this same lot, which had earlier burned down.
Incidentally April 13th is also Chris and my 28th anniversary. Chris said he forgot this when scheduling this but that's fine and it doesn't matter where we celebrate but that we celebrate.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2024. Posted by Connie.
April 12th 2024, the Beer Parlour Project visited the Warspite Hotel, Warspite Alberta and it was a great success. They put up our sticker and look for it if you ever drop by. This will be another chapter in what will be a multi-year adventure documenting small town hotels all over the west. We chat with owners, patrons, old timers, local characters and we learn about the building too.
It's believed this one is 100 years old in 2024 and we'll confirm details during the research phase done later.
When we're done we'll have a huge collection of digital and film photos, plus voice recorded interviews for an art exhibit and a book is likely.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2024. Posted by Connie.
This little stone house was built in the 1910s and while it's not exactly clear when last occupied, research suggests it was empty only a couple decades later. This is a dry area of the Alberta and most settlers moved out by the '30s. Trees in back were planted by the folks that lived here and there's no others around as far as the eye can see. In fact, there's nothing but natural prairie in every direction. When the word "remote" comes up, this is the place they're speaking of.
Look to the comments for more info and to see a stone smokehouse also on the property 👇
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2017. Posted by Connie.
The hardware business is long gone but their old sign from about a century ago remains. We were doing a little walk-about in Three Hills and had a tip to look here. It's little things like this that we love the most, hidden reminders of things that came before and clues to the past that aren't so obvious.
More info in the comments👇
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2023. Posted by Connie.
The Canadian Pacific Railway at Summit Lake Crowsnest Pass in 1983 and 2023. The trains still run, but the railyard and associated infrastructure is a distant memory. Haze in the now photo is from distant forest fires. The old Summit Hotel can be seen in back in both and it's one of the few things still standing here from earlier times.
The Then photo come thanks to the John Bjorklund collection at the Center for Railroad Photography & Art and is used with permission. They sent us others and we'll hopefully be putting them to use later this year.
Go to the comments for more info 👇
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Posted by Connie.
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Our family lived in the last cabin on the left for several months when we first moved to Alberta. It was pretty tight with eight of us back then but will never forget the memories of the fish pond in the centre and the lumber kiln burning across the highway.
Eight in one cabin? Cozy! Cool memories too.
Wow!!!
This one worked out well.
Beautiful !!
What a lovely spot.
I love the then and now pics!
We love shooting them – but they’re lots of work – still, there’s more in the pipeline to be posted soon.
Interesting my whole time living down there and passing by that place always thought it was like it is! Hmmm…thanx for all the past/now pics. I love the history!
You are welcome! And of course history is a passion for us, if that’s not already obvious. We’re crazy about it.
Seeing ‘then and now’ type of pictures is always cool! Love it.
Thanks, we have more in the pipeline too.
Home with crowsnest mtg in the back round.
That mountain is amazing.
Those pictures bring back a lot of good memories!!
Happy to hear that!
We used to go to the cabins just to see the fish pond on a Sunday afternoon.
Cool!
Cool. What a difference. Very neat spot!
And so beautiful too!
I love then and now photos. It’s always interesting to see how things change.
The change here in particular is interesting. The mountain is the same, the trees are a bit bigger and only a few cabins are gone. And that sign.
Awesome pictures and story Chris and Connie. You two totally bring back wonderful memories to those of us that lived in the Pass. Just to clarify, the sawmill across from it was owned by Revelstoke Companies Ltd., before Atlas Lumber took it over. If I remember correctly, Atlas took it over in the last 70’s or early 80’s.
Glad you liked the piece. It’s what we love doing, stirring up (hopefully) fond memories. Thanks for adding to the story too.
Ooh. That beautiful blue sky! I well remember the mountain looking like that.
The light cooperated. It’s sure a stunning place!
I love the photos!
Thank you for sharing Chris i never knew this was a motel, I didn;t know there was anything special there. Love learning the history on the area.
We love to share history!
I remember that place!
It seems we’ve jogged a good number of memories! Hearing from so many people who recall the Chinook.
We actually lived in the cabin on the far left for quite a while when our family moved from BC to Alberta. It was pretty tight quarters with 6 kids. They even had a little fish pond in the centre.
Wow, that does sound a bit cramped. Living in a motel? We did it often when I was a kid. The old man liked to move about. Thanks for stopping by and be sure to come back again sometime soon.
Love this!!!
So glad to hear. Be sure and stop by often.
(via Facebook)
I can remember when Jim Kerr and family built them.
He sure built a nice motel. Thanks for commenting.
Jim Kerr had this cool collection of animal parts, bones etc. And he was an excellent story teller.
An interesting fellow for sure!
I don’t know anything about the spring water at this location, but do you remember when everyone used to stop along Highway 2 for Nanton water? I remember that was “the thing to do” when traveling up to Calgary. I even recall there being Nanton Root Beer and Nanton Ginger Ale being made for a period of time because Nanton was so famous for its spring water.
Yes, I recall “Nanton Water”. A look online shows it’s still being produced. With all the Sulphur underfoot in the Crowsnest Pass, I wonder how water coming from spring at the Chinook Motel tasted? I’m thinking yuck!
The water is some of the best I’ve ever had. Really cold right out of the tap and very soft. The whole family looked forward to visiting our Grand parents and a glass of water.
Hmmm, makes one wonder why it was so good? Still, very cool!