Prairie Queen Hotel

Infobox Historic building
name=Prairie Queen Hotel


caption= Location of the "Prairie Queen" in New Stirling, Alberta.
map_type=
latitude= 49.31873
longitude=112314156
location_town=Maybutt, Alberta
location_country=Canada
architect=R. E. Patterson
William Fisher
client=
engineer=
construction_start_date= 1909
completion_date= 1910
date_demolished= 1932
cost=
structural_system=brick
style=veneered
size= 20,000 sq ft

In 1909-1910, a real estate promoter, William Fisher came to the New Stirling area and chose the site was as an ideal spot for a large townsite. The new town was mapped out and plans for a huge hotel were made, soon to be known as the "Prairie Queen Hotel".

History

The Prairie Queen Hotel was once a big three storey brick veneered building that boasted 50 rooms including a well furnished parlor, large lobby, dining room and a large room for a bar-room. All of the rooms contained electric lights and steam heating. The Prairie Queen Hotel was known as one of the best hotels west of Winnipeg and was also one of the largest hotels ever built in a new town in Western Canada.

After many years of financial difficulties, the building was set for demolition. As the demolition crew were dismantling the third floor, a company of Montana men showed an interest in buying the building and planned on using it for a guest house, but the deal was never carried out and soon fell through. Shortly after, the land company also expressed interest but was unable to complete the deal. The building then became part of a bankrupt estate, and was converted into a bank. The hotel was again made habitable and turned back into a hotel, the bar room was converted into a both a bank and a residence, and one of the rooms was used as the community school room while plans for a new school were being drawn up.

In 1927 the owner died and the hotel was once again closed. In 1932 the 20 year old hotel was bought once again and was slowly dismantled so that the material Could be used to build a grocery store and pool hall in Magrath.

See also

* New Stirling
* Stirling

External links

* [http://www.telusplanet.net/public/vilstir/intro.htm Stirling Historic Society old webpage]
* [http://www.villageofstirling.com/ Village of Stirling]