Bluebird Motel Claresholm
Today, it’s a look at the Bluebird Motel Claresholm Alberta, charming old school accommodations in the motor court style and with tons of character. It’s a mom and pop kind of place, decidedly retro and delightful in every way. Up on the sign: “Old Fashioned Hospitality Since 1947” and a guest comments: (it’s) “Paradise on the prairies!” Think of it like going home, but minus all the family drama and shame. You know what we’re talking about – those drunken brawls, Cousin Eddie’s little problem we don’t talk about and other Gerry Springer dysfunctions? Oops, had a childhood flashback there.
A good friend did a fun multimedia piece on the motel and once done here, we’ll send you over to DanOCan to know more. It’s time well wasted and we’re appreciative of their hard work. We sure know some interesting and creative people.
Bluebird Motel Claresholm: paradise on the prairies. Silly fun with Chris Doering and Connie Biggart (BIGDoer/Synd)
Do the same…
When the Bluebird opened for business, they had three cabins of two units each. The materials for these came from salvaged outbuildings on the property and which was previously home to a dairy operation. The old barn seen dates back to that earlier period as does a house (not photographed) in behind. Located along the highway through Claresholm, the motel stands near the north edge of town and is hard to miss.
Originally called Bluebird Bungalows, at some point in the 1950s(?) the sign out front changed to read Bluebird Cabins. In old phone books, interestingly, it shows as the Bluebird Motel in every entry found and that’s even back then. However advertised, the name comes from birds that frequented the property.
Two more cabins, also of two units each, were soon added and the lumber came from a salvaged building at a car dealership the owners of the Bluebird had an interest in. There’s quite a fascinating legacy here in these rooms with the people behind it both creative and frugal. That’s admirable and reflects the make-do attitude of small town folks.
In the early 1960s, a new office was constructed in the space between two of the original cabins and a new house for the owners built out back. Not long after, the gaps between the other cabins were filled with the addition of new rooms between them and results in the long structure seen fronting the property today.
In 1967, five more cabins (and again, two units per) were moved in from the recently closed Grand-O-Vue Motel in Calgary. This brought the total to twenty three units, although sometimes in ads (old ones and present day, they only mention twenty two). Not sure the reason.
This came to be the last major change here and while the sign out by the road appears to be of more modern vintage, the business differs little compared to half a century ago. Old post cards prove it and one might just be fodder for a Then & Now post in the future (finger’s crossed). We shot one but have not gotten to it yet (busy are we, but here it is: Bluebird Motel Then & Now). The place photographs real nice and especially when the sun’s low in the sky. Those deep reds and oranges reflect nicely!
The old man had an extended multi-month stay at the Bluebird, in the early 1980s, when working on the Claresholm Arena being built at the time. It’s a good bet in his wake came a trail of bounced cheques and money owed in the community. Sure, the empties left behind might have covered some of the bills, and damage, but still. Wonder if he squared up with the Bluebird or skipped out? No…let’s not open that can of worms.
Nobody we chatted with knew the build date of the barn out back, but clearly it’s ancient. Of log construction, it would not surprise us if it’s as old as the town itself (Claresholm dates from the early 1900s) or even from before.
Recall, this building goes back to the dairy operation spoken of earlier and adds so much to the overall character of the business. At some point in more recent times (1970s-1980s?), and with the pouring of a concrete skirt to help stabilize the structure, two grave stones were added on one side.
Wait…what?!
Yes, grave stones…how strange and creepy. There’s no one buried here (relief) and the story we got from the front desk suggests they were placed as a curiosity. You know, something mysterious to spark interesting conversation – it worked! And maybe a few conspiracy theories or some such things.
First, it begs the question: how does one acquire something usually only found at cemeteries? Grave robbing or nefarious activities seem unlikely unless there’s some deep dark secrets here. But there’s no mention of secret cults in town, so rule that out. Anyway, we were told one came via a trade and another found beside the road one day. And now one question becomes many.
We did some digging (grave – digging – get it?) and neither name, Louise Christine (1891-1938) nor Margaret Urquhart (1824-1871) appear in any records. And we searched worldwide and went deep. Sometimes older data just isn’t there, so that’s not entirely unusual, but still it has us wondering. These can’t be real stones, right?
If the intent was to get people talking, however, it’s mission accomplished and we just devoted several paragraphs to the subject.
Motor Court style: Typically comprised of cabins (single or multi-unit) that you can drive right up too and most popular in the car-centric world of the 1930s-1960s period.
Claresholm sits about a hundred and twenty five kilometres south of Calgary and has a population approaching thirty-eight hundred. It’s a charming little community and we’ve explored it a few times now. We look forward to returning too, and oh, they have this nice vintage water tower…Water Towers: Claresholm Alberta. How awesome it that?!
That link we promised and it comes highly recommended: DanOCan: A Brief History of the Bluebird Motel
Know more: (new tabs): Bluebird Motel Claresholm and learn about the community: Town of Claresholm Alberta.
There’s more new content being posted every week, so don’t go away!
They’re saying…
“The background information is just amazing (and) I love being able to “travel” with them as they share their fascinating sites.” Jo Tennant.
Hotels and motels…
Historic Hotels Crowsnest Pass – The Cos, The Greenhill and more!
Retro Motels: Medicine Hat Alberta – One word and it’s: neon!
Ymir, Friday Nights – Open mike night and the best time ever!
If you wish more information on what you’ve seen in this post or any other, by all means contact us!
Date: October, 2020.
Location: Claresholm, AB.
Article references and thanks: The Bluebird Motel, DanOCan.com, HRHS pamphlet – Early History of the Bluebird Motel and finally, Medicine Hat & District Genealogical Society.
Enjoyed our stay!
But it was grandma’s room, so no noise or partying or any fun…
I remember when these types of motels were the only places to stay — it was a little like being at home.
And now there’s so few left.
I remember one of those storms and we had two families – four kids each in the only room left – wall to wall children and two sets of parents in the beds…. Good memories
Sounds like a nightmare scenario.
Pretty cool!
I know!
Love this motel!
And so you should.
The Blue Bird Motel in Brooks was right beside my Grandparent’s house.. we always found new friends in the summer when we visited. Have also stayed at the one along highway 2..think at Olds. Left hand side as you are headed to Red Deer.
It was a common name for motels once.
I’ve stayed there. It’s beautiful clean, and has great service.
Good to hear!
Has been there for so many years! Always have a look when we are passing by!
It goes back a loooong time.
I have stayed there before. A great little place.
Awesome!
Stayed there many years ago with my kids in the middle of winter….hockey tournament in Stavely.
Those crazy hockey tournaments…
They were literally a port in a storm. Winter Travels between Calgary and Lethbridge in the 60’s sometimes meant a forced stay during unexpected blizzards.
Yes, the roads would sometimes be impassable for days.
Always love these ‘behind the scenes’ pics
We enjoy shooting them and there’s always more coming down the pipe.
Stayed there in 1977 for a few weeks while working for Alberta Transportation paving roads through Kananaskis country.
How cool!
Has it gotten better. Stayed probably 6 yrs ago cause it was always our go to before it was sold. Unfortunately we wouldn’t go back. Was very sad to see it was getting ran down and not as clean as it had been. Hopefully someone else owns it now.
They seem to have consistently good reviews the last decade, so perhaps it was an off day. Sorry to hear about it.
Absolutely stunning building, in great shape – thanks for sharing!
Our pleasure!
Loved staying there! Very neat and clean and exceptionally interesting!
Just about everyone enjoys their stay here.
There’s also the story of the haunted room at the Bluebird…….I don’t know details but I have a friend who reminds me it’s haunted every time we drive by lol
That should cash in on it. A haunted room is always good for business!
Love this place.
We’ll be back.
Thanks for the shoutout. Our Bluebird video is the 10th most-viewed on our channel. People (including us!) love this place.
You did a great job with that video and deserve a little love.
I used to work there back in the 70’s
Do tell…any stories to share?
I’ve stayed there, very nice quaint little place.
Quaint it is.
It so happens that my wife and I spent our wedding night in this motel. Fond memories naturally.
Those are memories that’ll stay with you forever.
Looks homey & well maintained
A pleasant place to stay.