Acrylic, mixed media and ink on birch cradleboard

24″ x 18″

The Royal Hotel was built in 1895. Mr. John Hawson purchased it from Quan Koy for $10,000 in 1905.
On the first floor, it had office rooms, a bar room, four private rooms and a lounge area. 20 bedrooms were located on the second floor.
After extensive renovations by Architect M. WT. Williams, the hotel was expanded to 50 bedrooms and boasted a 40 gallon water heater – one of the largest in the province.

The Royal is famous in Medicine Hat as a place of all sorts; similar to the old King Eddie’s in Calgary. I remember going to the Royal Hotel when I was 7 years old. My dad was a contractor and had to do some clean up after an evening brawl; a scene I will never forget….broken toilets, wet toilet paper all over the floor and the excrement mess – it was a rough place in early 70’s. I don’t’ think I stayed to help clean.

Historical Information courtesy of the Esplanade Archives