Grand Union Hotel

Photo by R. D. (Bob) Preece, Athabasca Archives AA13719

Athabasca's Grand Union Hotel

On July 23, 2024, the 110-year-old Grand Union Hotel in Athabasca, Alberta caught fire at about 5:30 AM. At first, it seemed that the fire might be under control with volunteer firefighters on the scene by 6 AM. However, by 8:30, the roof was on fire. Fire crews from Athabasca, Colinton, Baptiste Lake, Richmond Park, Grassland, and Lac La Biche, as well as Trident Pump Inc., the RCMP and Town of Athabasca staff were on scene. The crews managed to protect the buildings and property surrounding the hotel, and while there was smoke and water damage, no other buildings were lost to the fire. 50th Street and 50th Avenue were blocked off and Town of Athabasca and Emcon Services Inc. staff redirected traffic. Many, many bystanders observed the scene and recorded photos and video of the fire’s progress, posting to their social media accounts. The hotel had collapsed inward on itself by mid afternoon.
Photo by Sherri Byrtus, © SLB Photograph. Used with permission.

The original wood-framed Grand Union Hotel was built in 1901 or 02 by entrepreneur Isaie Gagnon. It was a two-story structure with a balcony running the full length of the west side on Strathcona Street (50th Street). It was damaged by the 1904 flood and was remodeled in 1910 to include a third story. On August 5, 1913, it was lost in the great fire of Athabasca which destroyed several blocks of the downtown core. A volunteer fire brigade had been formed by May 1911 and a fire protection system was installed by December 1913.
Athabasca Archives AA00218

By September 1913, the Edmonton firm of Magoon & MacDonald Architects had drawn plans for a Neo-classical, three-story, brick-clad hotel that included a dining room which seated 150, bar, writing room, second-floor corner balcony, and in the basement a billiards room, barber shop, commercial sample room and vegetable cellar. There were fireplaces in the dining room and rotunda. The hotel had 48 rooms, eight suites, 14 toilets, 60 lbs of water pressure and electric lights in all the rooms. On February 9, 1914, the grand-opening event hosted by hotel manager Harry Campbell and his wife was attended by more than 300 people.
Athabasca Archives AA16813

Scanned from Restoration of the Athabasca Union Hotel Interim Report, May 2003 by David Murray Architect

The hotel was the first location for several medical practices including those of Dr. Joseph Olivier, Dr. Edwin Wright, Dr. Josephine Brown and dentist Dr. Revell. Part of Dr. Wright’s collection, which came into Dr. Brown’s possession, was a Grand Union Hotel accounting ledger from 1911 – 12, from the wood-framed hotel, that recorded the names of many people who we recognize as a major part of Athabasca’s early history. It was donated to Athabasca Archives in 1985.
Shown left is the page with Louison Fosseneuve's (Capt. Shot) bar tab, totaling $196.00. A lot of money in those days!

In 1947, the rotunda was remodeled as a café with a horseshoe-shaped lunch counter by the owner, the Calgary Brewing Company. The Neo-classical ornamentation was stripped and the brick was painted white to conform to the more spare, modern style of the time.

Columnist Jack Deakin's article about the gatherings at the hotel in the early to mid 1960s.

In May 2003, the Restoration of the Athabasca Union Hotel Interim Report was completed by David Murray Architect. Funded in part by the Town of Athabasca, the lead-based white paint was stripped and shipped for disposal. In 2007, a consortium of local Athabascans purchased the hotel, and it was restored including repointing the brick work. The hotel café again became a destination for Athabasca’s coffee and dining patrons. These improvements did much to extend the life of the old hotel but it again changed ownership and absentee owners contributed to the decline of the building. The hotel’s rooms were closed and eventually the café and bar were closed. too.
Athabasca Archives AA19013

The first Grand Union Hotel before 1910. Athabasca Archives AA16761

The first Grand Union Hotel after 1910. Athabasca Archives AA16798

Auto party on the west side of the first hotel, October 22, 1911. Athabasca Archives AA11150

Grand Union Hotel after 1914. Athabasca Archives AA00963

Grand Union Hotel in the late 1950s / early 1960s. Photograph by Bob Preece. Athabasca Archives AA06166

Photograph by Christine Nelson. Athabasca Archives AA07012