The small town watering hole, often housed in an old hotel (and not always providing accommodations), a place for locals and passers-through alike to partake in libations and socialize. Near every community across the country, no matter the size, had one. Or so it seemed. But we’re losing them, fast, with more and more shutting down each year. Many are just too old and need work, or in other cases the patrons move on. What ever the reason, it’s a death sentence.
Seen here, the El Coyote, former Nacmine Inn, Nacmine Alberta. The building dates from the 1920s as best we can tell. They quit providing accommodations at some point, the pub providing the only income. In the late 1980s it appeared in a movie no one’s ever seen, Dead Bang, doubling as a bar in Mexico. Is the El Coyote sign from then? Makes sense – might as well keep it.
When it shut down is not clear, but it’s only been a few years we think. Both of us swear we saw it open about 2012-ish or so. Under new management? Guess that didn’t work. Not sure what’s in store for it, but I suspect a date with the wrecking ball is in order. It’s in pretty rough shape.
Would love to reshoot this place. Currently tracking down an owner. Among our many obsessions, places like this are one.
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Date of adventure: October, 2016. Location: Nacmine, AB. El Coyote can be viewed from public property
I agree to a point. Come a weekend in summer, the whole valley is hoping bust and there’s room for another Wayne Saloon or two (the East Coulee Hotel could be another). The only issue I see here is money. It’s take a lot to make the El Coyote presentable.
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Beer Parlour Fridays: before Pilsner in Saskatchewan, there was Bohemian or simply Boh. For decades, it was the most popular beer in the province. Incidentally, both Pil and Boh were for decades products of Sick's Brewery. This Boh cap was found in the basement of an old hotel in SW Saskatchewan during a visit by the Beer Parlour Project. It celebrates the beer winning a prestigious best in world award in the late 1960s.
Beer Parlour Fridays: here's a standard issue cast-metal round-top Beer Parlour table. These were supplied through the liquor control board (who heavily regulated the business) and therefore could be found at most drinking establishments. They date back to the 1940s-1960s period and surprisingly, we still see them out there in the wild all the time. Often they were covered in terrycloth to help sop up spilled beer. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
Beer Parlour Fridays: The Tompkin's SK Hotel/Lucky Loon Saloon, previously Woody's. It was just a drive by visit and not a stop on the recent Beer Parlour Project tour of SW Saskatchewan. Had it been open we would have checked it out, however. Celebrating old school watering holes at https://www.BeerParlourProject.com. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
Beer Parlour Fridays: The Wildwood Hotel in Wildwood Alberta, built in the late 1950s to replace one that earlier burned down. Visited in October 2024 by Chris and Rob. Watch for this hotel and others appearing at https://www.BeerParlourProject.com. Celebrating old school watering holes!
Scroll down to the comments for more!👇 _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
A retro, all-metal playground in Burstall Saskatchewan. The rocking horse, aka the tooth chipper or shin buster, was perhaps the most dangerous. Chris says he still has scars from one. But on a summer's day, those slides could get as hot as a baking pan fresh from the oven and gave new meaning to the words toasted buns. If you survived this playground, you were ready to take on the world. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Date: 2024. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
What a surprise finding this. Heard it didn’t pass inspection and had to be closed.
That makes sense. It’s always looked to be in rough condition.
Drank there once. It was a dump.
No surprised. It looks the part.
With some sprucing up it could be a popular stopping watering hole like that place in Wayne. The valley is so scenic, the people would come.
I agree to a point. Come a weekend in summer, the whole valley is hoping bust and there’s room for another Wayne Saloon or two (the East Coulee Hotel could be another). The only issue I see here is money. It’s take a lot to make the El Coyote presentable.