CASTLE IN THE ROCKIES
BY JACKIE GOLD BANFF CRAG & CANYON STAFF
When William Van Horne, the then general manager of the Canadian Pacific Railway, heard about the discovery of a hot springs by railway workers in 1883, he had a vision.
Recognizing the potential of the hot springs to draw tourists to the railway's station in Banff, he decided to build a luxury hotel nestled in the mountains of the Canadian Rockies.
The hotel, Van Horne believed, would bring in a more immediate cash flow, which would offset the costs of the increasingly expensive railway. The added bonus of a local hot spring would ensure the success of the hotel, as naturally occurring hot water was seen as a valuable commodity.
The renowned architect Bruce Price designed the hotel in 1886 after being commissioned by Van Horne the year before. Price ultimately went on to design a number of the luxury hotels that Van Horne built along the Canadian Pacific railway, including the Chateau Frontenac, in Quebec .
In the spring of 1887 construction began on Van Horne's hotel, and by June 1, 1888 the Canadian Pacific Railways Banff Springs Hotel opened for business.
The hotel has seen many changes since it opened, according to Dave Moberg, the guest relations manager at the Fairmont Banff Springs.
"In 1888 it was a two-wing, four-storey wooden structure with 250 rooms, and it had a red pine interior," Moberg said. "Now the lobby is a beautiful $54 million grand reception area. The Fairmont has never been as grand or as elegant as it is today."
"It was built to promote the Canadian Pacific Railway. When they built the second Banff Springs Hotel they didn't spare any expense." One of the major differences between the hotel in 1888 and present day is its golf course, which was designed by Stanley Thompson In 1924. "Once he was done there (with the competition) we brought him down here and built the most expensive golf course in the world," Moberg said.
When a fire swept through the North wing of the hotel on April 7, 1926 the entire section was destroyed, leading to an extensive reconstruction of the hotel.
The fire caused damage to the central stone portion of the hotel, which was completed in 1913. Heat combustion and water damage contributed to the destruction of fixtures, furniture with entire rooms being burned.
The heat from the blaze led to an explosion in the tower of the centre section of the wing, which caused windows and fittings to shatter. While no one was seriously hurt, many suffered from smoke inhalation from the fire, as well as exhaustion from battling the flames. The local youth aided the firemen, rushing throughout the grounds to put out fires. Stationing themselves in the surrounding bush to beat out flames before they developed into more serious secondary fires the youth of Banff proved themselves invaluable that day.
The hotel is reputed to be haunted by a helpful bellman named Sam, who passed away long ago, and a young bride, who tripped on her veil while descending a set of stairs on her wedding day. The ghosts, who have been seen by a number of guests over the years, add a sense of mystery and intrigue to the overall opulence of the hotel.
The Banff Springs Hotel has played a large role in the history of the town, attracting tourists for over a hundred years, and adding to its overall prestige. In 2000 Canadian Pacific became the majority owner of the Fairmont Hotel chain, and the Banff Springs Hotel became formally known as the Fairmont Banff Springs.
With tourism increasing through the years in Banff it will undoubtedly prove an attraction for the next 100 years as well.
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