Hotel Newell Brooks Alberta

We’re not sure where it was hiding all this time. Unknowingly misplaced years ago and recently rediscovered, it’s a Then & Now looking down 2nd Street West in Brooks Alberta. The Hotel Newell (or Newell Hotel, depending) is most prominent and sits at a (once) important spot right down by the train tracks…when that meant something. Armed with an old photo we’re here to duplicate that scene, or at least try.

This T&N Fodder comes from a reader (thanks Henry) and is one we’ve seen make the rounds on the internet before. It appears to be an old postcard, we suspect in the public domain, and has the caption: “Main Street ~ Brooks Alta.”. There’s no date given, but the cars tell us it’s likely from the early to mid-1950s. Back then, downtown was a happening place as you can see, but on our visit in 2018 not so much. In communities big or small present day, the core’s often deadsville, especially in off hours.

If you have a free use photo such as this, or perhaps one you have copyright on, you think would inspire a good Then & Now, contact us and we’ll fill you in.

The Hotel Newell was built in 1912 and as the closest such establishment to the train station it was in an advantageous position back when rail-travel was a thing. Lots of money to be had! Now accommodations near the highway do the best. The tracks, incidentally, are just behind where we shot our photo.

In addition to providing rooms, the hotel had a watering hole (prohibition excepted) and cafe, as was typical for the era. In form however, it’s a bit odd and being L shaped it partly wraps around the (former) Royal Bank building seen. We’re curious if constructed this way, or if the lesser wing got added later, but so far we’ve not found anything. As we always say: if you know, please add to the story.

The Hotel Newell probably did a good business back when the original photo got captured, but on our visit appeared empty. In the old photo it’s said to be Main Street and we suspect this is a simple mistake. Perhaps they assumed 2nd Street West, being the most important road in town at the time, had that title? The smaller wing of the hotel sits along 1st Avenue West.

The building is little changed over time in many respects. The sign’s gone, the roof details are a bit different and most noticeable it’s the single story addition to the far side that we suspect is fairly new and allowed them to expand the pub. It’s booze that pays in the bills in most old hotels with many no longer offering rooms or if they do, it’s as long term social housing. We’re not sure how it played out at the Newell in recent times.

In 2020 some new owners reopened the business, but with Covid I suspect it’s been a rough ride.

A number of buildings from the early days appear in both photos but the overall feel of downtown is not all that different now compared to then.

There’s a good number of cars in the old image, but they’re a bit hard to make out. Our ever worsening vision doesn’t help either – experts with better eyes, we’re squinting at you for answers. One can assume, there’s the usual suspects, the Chevys, Fords and Plymouths (Plymouth Wagon, right?). All appear to be from the early 1950s. Collectors would love to go back in time and snatch any of these up!

Notice the absence of pickups in the old photo. None…here in rural Alberta…none…really? Now they’re the norm for everyday use, but back then many were just used for farm business. In the 2018 photo, only a few vehicles are seen, but then again on a quiet Sunday afternoon it’s to be expected. A few pedestrians are seen in the old photo and most visible, it’s the fellow in farm attire on the left. What’s the odds he’s heading to the Newell for a cold one? In contrast, we saw nobody.

The name Newell? Brooks is in Newell County (earlier District), which borrowed the name from a local (man-made) lake, which in turn got its name from a person associated with creating that body of water. Now you know…

When the Hotel Newell was built the population of Brooks stood at about five hundred whereas today it’s approaching sixteen thousand. The community dates back to about 1910 and is now a city.

This Then & Now lined up well but still displays what we call “fallaway” (or is that “falloff”?). Laid one atop the other they’re almost a perfect match, but stacked, it’s not quite right. It’s an optical illusion of sorts that we have to live with and happens most when the subject’s close in to mid-ground.

Being easily distracted, we spot a old truck cruising about and just had snap a photo (even if it’s not all good) and soon after, a deep rumble announces the arrival of a train. See a train – photograph a train – it’s the rule. Looking to be a local milk-run, it was just a couple smaller locomotives pulling perhaps a dozen rail cars.

Enough of that and we now return you to out regular program. Wait…it’s over? Okay, till next time then…

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To know more, go here (new windows): Hotel Newell Brooks Alberta and Brooks Alberta History.

They’re saying…

”I love their explorations and adventures! Especially those with the history behind them.” Hanna Wylie.

That same weekend…
Fossil Prospecting @ Dino Provincial Park and Shoulder Season @ Dino Provincial Park.

A little more T and a little more N…
Wrentham Alberta 25 Years Apart – How it’s changed!
Brokeback Mountain then and now – Twist Ranch – From the movie.
Calgary then and now – Currie Barracks Parade Square – We even found the crack!

Something to say and no one to say it to? Go here: contact us!

Date of Adventure: May, 2018.
Location: Brooks, AB.
Article references and thanks: The City of Brooks Alberta and miscellaneous newspaper and phone books ads.

The Hotel Newell in Brooks Alberta many years apart.

The building is over a century old.

It’s built in an L shape.

Excuse us for a moment – old truck!

Something’s happening down by the tracks.