Imagine our thrill on seeing someone at this property…someone who looks like they should be there. A quick introduction, some confusion over our motives (honestly, this is what we do), and we’re in. However, the light’s failing, we’ve got the wrong camera and no tripod, so we’ll have to make due. This small town motel is still in business, but the row of cabins seen here, the oldest units in the complex, are no longer used. Can you say no vacancy?
Our new friend did not appear to be the chatty type, so we didn’t ask if they knew the history. Anyway, we enjoy the research phase and given the type of business, knew it would be easy to find a bit of backstory. Old phone books, here we come! We’ve known of this place for a long time, but never searched out the owners, so this chance happening came as a blessing.
No Vacancy: disused cabins at a small town motel. By Chris Doering and Connie Biggart (BIGDoer/Synd)
This post comes thanks to a gift from ”JlaF” and for this kind act, we send our love. Do the same…
Funny how it plays out – there we were heading back from a snack run, minding our business and with exploring the last thing on our minds, then out of nowhere, opportunity knocks. Our proper gear was at the crash pad (another “dive*” motel in town), so while unprepared, we say what the heck.
Scroll down for photos and to comment.
Here’s what we know, thanks to AGT and later Telus.
The motel first makes mention about 1965. At the time, it’s listed as having five units but a couple years later that number doubled and soon after, doubled again. Ten units are still used today, on the other side of the property, and by the numbers must be the final ones built.
For most of the ’60s and ’70s their ads read: “Fully modern with TV & Radio”. That’s not much of a come on, but with only one local competitor (at the time – an old hotel, still in business), perhaps they didn’t have to try hard. They were not far off the highway and given how everything’s laid out, were the first accommodations you’d pass if heading into town.
In the mid-1970s they advertised new owners and their tag line went like this: “20 modern units with TVs and some with kitchen. Comfortable and reasonable.” We’re sold! By the 1980s it changed: “20 modern units. Colour TV – Telephones – Kitchens.” Colour TV? The future is now!
In the mid 1980s they were under new management again and advertised the following: “20 modern units, AC, satellite & colour TVs, kitchenettes and launderette.” In the early 1990s they offered “Bachelorettes (the room, not the party), plus weekly and monthly rates.”
That they were touting long term rentals at this point, tells us they’re were courting the non-tourist trade. You know, transient workers and it’s likely the units were also used for social housing. Taking on these roles became a fate that befell many old motels and the section still in use sort of continues along these lines.
The motel operated under one name for most of its history, but has had several owners as you’ve seen. In the early to mid-2010s they closed this section and at this time, the combined office/manager’s house on the property was torn down and business then handled remotely from elsewhere in town. You want a room? You have to call and wait for the key-master to show up.
Photos of the cabins taken near the end (found on an old travel site), show them looking rather run-down (as they are today) and not terribly welcoming. Local contacts in our circle tell us it was a no-tell motel at the time and with a questionable reputation.
Reviews speak of its seedy character: “Cheap, cheap, cheap…Keep repeating to yourself: at least it’s cheap…overlook the smelly carpet, the bare wiring…at least it’s cheap.” You get the picture. For the continental breakfast you got a toaster, a loaf of Wonder Bread and jug of Tang and if you use your Bates Motel chain reward card, you get a free night’s stay every third visit. If you survive! We’ll get your room ready as soon as we remove the police tape.
The section that remains in operation still has that old-school vibe and given the name of the business changed a few years back suggests new owners once again. While it’s no Fairmont Banff Springs, it serves a need and not as bad as some places we’ve stayed at. We’re forced to travel cheap and have no choice in the matter.
Are these cabins no longer used due to lack of demand or that they needed some serious work? Hard to say for certain, but the latter seems more likely as it’s clear they’re not in great shape. Still everything here seems intact, albeit faded, cracked and weathered. We’re not sure the purpose of the A-frame building seen, but maybe it’s the laundry(?).
Unprepared as were meant we knew the photos would turn out pretty ugly. It happens when you push it hard. No wait, that raw and gritty feel…it’s an artistic statement. You know, edgy and of extreme contrast, a reflection of man’s internal struggle with self. Yeah, something deep. That’s it!
Extreme ISOs were the rule this evening, and the grain that comes with it begrudgingly accepted. Finally an excuse to crank it to 12.8k! Full power captain and with the sensor glowing red hot we could only ask for more. Most of the photos were no good, due the low light, but so be it. Truth is, it’s about the fun and memories that come of these adventures and not the photos (shhh, don’t tell anyone).
The cool reception given us by our host had us thinking brevity as the best option, so after a few snaps we hightailed it out. We say our thanks on leaving, a greeting barely acknowledged, and while they go back to rooting through their car, lit by flashlight (dome light busted?), we drive off.
We wish we had more time and better light, but we’ll take what we can get. Maybe we’ll try again another day…
*Dive: an endearing term for old motels of character.
Stay tuned for more fun and adventure!
They’re saying…
”They have no fear when it comes to searching in remote areas, and they have an artistic eye for picture taking. It’s a very enjoyable site.” James Robinson.
Something to say and no one to say it to? Go here: contact us!
Date of Adventure: August, 2020. Location: Small Town, AB. Article references and thanks: Old phone books at the Calgary Public Library and the Medicine Hat & District Genealogical Society.
(A long read) After twelve years it's time to put a face to the name and come clean on something. That's rarely-seen Chris in the photo, one half of Team BIGDoer, my best friend for almost thirty years and orchestrator of everything you see here. For his entire adult life, he's battled a deep depression.
Mostly it's manageable, but there are extended bouts where it's crippling and his life comes to a grinding halt. Sometimes there are days or weeks where he's lost. Sleep does not come easy at this time and further aggravates the issue. As he ages, it's worsening and seems intent on destroying him from the inside.
If you see a lack of posts here, or ones poorly worded, confusing or simply off, it's from one of these periods.
Through all this, he remains as kind, thoughtful and loving as ever, but is somewhere else. To the family, it's just Chris and accepted as it should be. The kids and grandkids adore him no less. Until today, however, this has been hidden from the outside world, although closer friends and some readers were probably already suspect of his condition. I hope admitting this does not break the site.
He finds clarity when we're out and doing things, hiking or documenting something historic and it's only THE reason this page and our website exists. It's therapy. Then he's a new and passionate person, but the monster as he calls it always returns. The Beer Parlour Project has brought out a side I've never seen and when out in the field he's never been so on point and confident.
This post is not for sympathy but to inform. Just so you know where he is and here's what you can do to help (a last ditch request)...
If you see a missed comma or oddly worded sentence in a post, please be kind. You'll probably see his uncertainty when he's off and be nice there too. But if you like what you see, even if the write up could be presented better, post your encouragement. Say something and say it loud...it's important and will keep him sharing. Help Chris get better by cheering him on.
Other than some photos that are mine, everything else comes from him. All the tiring research and the writing (he admits he's NOT a writer), are his.
Chris puts every dollar he makes into this "project of a lifetime", and it's supplemented by donations from readers who enjoy the content. If you want to help...
Admittedly he was not thrilled with the idea of posting this but agrees it probably should be said, even if it makes him uneasy. He doesn't like appearing in photos either. He's so shy, thinks he looks goofy and hates his husky eyes. I love them and they're windows into a wonderful, complex and quiet, but tortured soul. It breaks my heart when he's in a bad space.
This image comes thanks to photographer Arturo Pianzola and was captured while exploring the historic Riverview Mental Hospital in Coquitlam BC. Chris thought since he was in the area last year, he'd stop by to visit with a grandfather he never really knew, who spent his last years at the facility and is buried on the grounds.
Thanks for listening and your understanding. Hopefully we'll see you next week. Johanna (Connie).
Journey of Natty Gann (Disney 1985) and the same location in the Crowsnest Pass 2014. We're visiting the Pass over the new year, as we often do, and this time we'll be staying at a house that appears (briefly) in the film. How cool, eh? Chris has decided it's time on this visit to reshoot this and other Natty Gann comparison shots we did from ten years ago. Stay tuned!
This scene was shot in historic downtown Coleman and shows the former Holyk's Grocery. It was built in the early 1900s and the store closed in the '60s. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Johanna (Connie).
From 2015. Rob Pohl and his strange old-style view camera joined us in documenting the Laing House (with permission). Head down to the comments to see an amazing coincidence with something I found inside.
From the Crossley slides, it's an undated view of Towers School, out near Cluny Alberta. It was originally called Swastika School but that's before the word and symbol were ruined by negative connotations. Built 1922. Gone? _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
The same alley in downtown Calgary's west end, in the 1970s & today. You have to look hard to see the connection! The area was quite run down back then and is in stark contrast to all the shiny condo towers seen present day. Calgary Place West, an apartment block, appears in both images although it's barely a sliver in ours. Check the comments for more info.
Photo credit: James Tworow collection. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
Lost highways (2022): a section of old #93 in Southeastern BC. That BIGDoer-mobile is gone now but quite famous and had a following of its own. Old mine roads, cow paths, 4x4ing across fields - no problem and people would recognize us out in remote areas just by this car. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
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