For Canada’s 150th Birthday this year,  I am devoting my ‘Vintage Travel To Do List‘ posts to cool places in Canada that you and I should visit.

Up first…..

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Located in Alberta’s Banff National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Historic Overview:

• The lake in front of the hotel was originally called “Lake of Little Fishes” by the Stoney Indians who lived in the area. Then it because “The Emerald Lake” after a Canadian Pacific Railway employee who was introduced to it by the Stoney Indians. It would change names one last time, to Lake Louise in honor of Queen Victoria’s fourth daughter, Princess Louise Caroline Alberta.
• 1890-Chalet Lake Louise. One story log cabin constructed on the shores of Lake Louise, it hosted visitors from different dining stations along the railway line as well as day visitors from its elegant sister, the Banff Springs Hotel.
• While only 50 guests registered at the chalet in 1890, by 1912, 50,000 guests had already slept there.
• 2 Fires and 4 architects later,  the small cabin dating back to 1911 would become the Chateau Lake Louise standing today.
• 1900’s Professional Swiss Mountain Guides were brought in to safely guide guests to the summits. Between 1899 and 1954, generations of these Swiss mountaineers taught thousands of visitors and locals to climb and, later, to ski.
• Early movies shot in Lake Louise include 1928 ”Eternal Love” starring John Barrymore, 1942 ”Springtime in the Rockies” with Betty Grable and Carmen Miranda and 1944 ”Son of Lassie.”
• Hundreds of stars have come here for filming or vacationing, including Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Alfred Hitchcock, and Marilyn Monroe.
• The Chateau has also welcomed dozens of royals including Prince Rainier of Monaco, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip, Queen Margrethe of Denmark, King Hussein and Queen Noor of Jordan.
• Due to gas rationing and patriotism, Chateau Lake Louise was closed to the public during WWII.

1909 Lake Louise Chalet (not yet the Chateau)

June 1928, now a Chateau (as you can tell from the increase in size).

Swimming at Chateau Lake Louise in the 1930’s.

Another view of the pool in the 1930’s.

Queen Elizabeth II paying a visit.

1942 ”Springtime in the Rockies” with Betty Grable and Carmen Miranda.

INTERIOR: Dining room 1930’s.

Ladies lunching in the Lakeview Lounge, circa 1930’s. Wow what a view!

Tea Time-1935.

The Chateau Today-The Magnificent Grand Lobby.

My favorite room-The Victoria Ballroom.

Lakeview Lounge. An updated version of the room seen in the vintage images above.

Walliser Stube

And that my friends is the Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise. I hope you enjoyed our little online visit of this magnificent hotel and will consider adding it to your own ‘Vintage Travel To-Do-List. I know it’s on the top of mine!

FURTHER READING: Collection of Vintage Travel posts & Vintage Canada Posts by the Vintage Inn Blog

Liz

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