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Category: Vintage Travel To Do List

Vintage Travel To Do List: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

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

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise photo
1920s vintage travel poster for Canadian Pacific - travel to Chateau Lake Louise. The illustration features 1920s women in 1920s bathingsuits.
Source: Ebay

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)

Lake Louise Chalet Vintage Image 1909
Source: Historic Hotel then and Now

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

Chateau Lake Louise 1928 vintage image
Source: Library & Archives Canada

Swimming at Chateau Lake Louise in the 1930’s.

1930s swimming in the pool at Chateau Lake Louise
Source: Heroines.ca

Another view of the pool in the 1930’s.

Outdoor swimming pool at the Chateau Lake Louise with swimmers 1930s vintage image
Source: Peel’s Prairie Provinces

Queen Elizabeth II paying a visit.

Queen Elizabeth the second at Chateau Lake Louise vintage image

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

springtime-in-the-rockies-1942-dvd-betty-grable-carmen-miranda-996-p

INTERIOR: Dining room 1930’s.

vintage image of the dining room of the chateau lake louise
Source: Peel’s Prairie Provinces

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

1930s vintage image of Chateau Lake Louise
Source: Historic Hotel then and Now

Tea Time-1935.

1935 tea time chateau lake louise
Source: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

The Chateau Today-The Magnificent Grand Lobby.

Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise grand lobby other view
Source: Redtag.ca

My favorite room-The Victoria Ballroom.

Chateau Lake Louise Ballroom
Source: Design Locations

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

lakeview lounge chateau lake louise
Source: Pinterest
chateau lake louise lakeview lounge
Source: Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise

Walliser Stube

chateau lake louise interior Walliser Stube
Source: Redtag.ca
Vintage Travel Poster from the 1940s for visit by train with Canadian Pacific to Banff, Lake Louise in the Canadian Rockies. Illustration features Chateau Lake Louise and a young woman.
Source: Where.ca

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

Want to Visit Lake Louise & Chateau Lake Louise?

I am an affliate with VIATOR a tour company I have used on several of my trips and trust 100% for a good time. They have lots of tour options for all different activities in Canada, including train rides. Take a look below at some sample tours!

Note: Viator is an Affiliate Link, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Thank you!

Vintage Travel To Do List: Galveston,Texas

Vintage Travel to do list Galveston Texas

Recently I was watching HGTV and they had an episode on about a couple buying a home in Galveston, Texas. I instantly loved the city and knew I needed to add it to my ‘Vintage Travel to do list‘.

For today’s post lets take a look at some of the reasons and interesting historic points on why you and I should visit Galveston.

Vintage 1940s postcard of a pinup woman posing next to a sign for going to Galveston Texas.
Source: Postcard Roundup

Galveston is less than 60 miles from Houston and is the fourth largest city in the United States. It is an island, has a sub tropical climate and was founded by a Pirate, named Jean Lafitte.

In 1900 the city was hit with a devastating hurricane. After the storm, the city decided to shore up its defenses against future storms by building a permanent concrete seawall along a large portion of the beach front (source). This wall is still standing today.

Galveston Texas vintage postcard featuring an image of Galveston's famous beach Seawall.
Source: Flickr

1920’s to the 1950’s the city re-emerged as a major tourist destination centered on casinos and other vice businesses. Featuring venues such as the famed Balinese Room the city became nationally known as the sin city of the Gulf.

The Balinese Room. Originally opened in 1923 as the Chop Suey, then the Sui Jen a few year later. It finally became the Balinese Room in 1942 with its famed south seas motif.

Vintage illustration of The Balinese Room. Originally opened in 1923 as the Chop Suey, then the Sui Jen a few year later. It finally became the Balinese Room in 1942 with its famed south seas motif.

In its heyday, The Balinese played host to high rollers from all over the country, including local legends Glenn McCarthy, Diamond Jim West, and Howard Hughes. The showroom featured headliners such as Frank Sinatra, Sophie Tucker, Burns and Allen, Bob Hope, and Jack Benny. Long before Las Vegas attracted the big names to the desert, Maceo’s Balinese Room brought ‘em to Galveston (source).

Vintage Photo of Frank Sinatra at the Balinese room in Galveston, Texas.
Frank Sinatra with Maceo

Balinese was raided many many times over the years for gambling but was never able to be shut down, until May 30th, 1957. It remained closed until 2003 when a new owner brought it back to its former glory. It lasted till 2008 when another storm unfortunately destroyed it, but the owner seems to want to rebuild in a new location according to his website. I do hope this comes true for Galveston and for vintage lovers like me.

Photo of The Balinese Room. Originally opened in 1923 as the Chop Suey, then the Sui Jen a few year later. It finally became the Balinese Room in 1942 with its famed south seas motif.

Galveston is also home to the glamorous and historic, ‘Hotel Galvez‘.

Image of the Hotel Galvez in Galveston Texas
Source: Hotel Galvez

About:

* This hotel is the only historic beachfront hotel left on the Gulf Coast of Texas

* Bears the name of Bernardo de Galvez, who surveyed the area in 1786

* Built with $1million after the famous and devastating 1900 storm

* Opened on June 10th, 1911, at 6pm

* Rooms were $2 per night in 1911

* The hotel boasted modern, time-saving tools such as a potato peeling machine, an ice-maker, a dishwasher and an ice cream maker

* Headquarters for the International Pageants of Pulchritude, the beauty pageants that were predecessors to the Miss Universe Pageant (1920-1932)

* Temporary White House for FDR

* Served as WWII Coast Guard Facility

* Frank Sinatra & Dean Martin Stayed Here (most likely to sleep off a night of partying at the Balinese Room)

* Room 501 is Haunted-Legend has it a seaman’s fiancé was staying in room 501 when she heard his ship had sunk, and took her own life. Now she haunts the halls. (Source)

Vintage Postcard of the Galveston Beach, Sea Wall Boulevard and Hotel Galvez
Source: card cow

Inside Hotel Galvez

Inside look of the Hotel Galvez in Galveston, Texas

1920s Photo: June 1928-Third International Pageant of Pulchritude held at the hotel.

1920s Vintage Photo of beauty pageant ladies in 1920s swimsuits, June 1928-Third International Pageant of Pulchritude held at the hotel.
Source: Shorpy Historic

One event I would love to attend is the Galveston Island Beach Revue which is a revival event of the first Bathing Girl Revue started in 1916 by the Galveston Beach Association (An organization formed early in the 20th century to promote tourism).

Want to see what the Bathing Revue was all about? Then check out the film below on the 1925 Revue (the swimsuit fashions are fantastic!). (Video Link)

Galveston is not just all beach there are also gorgeous Vintage Homes and even a East End Historical District.

galveston texas victorian home
Source: guidrynews

The Bishop’s Palace-1892. WOW!

The Bishops Place in Galveston Texas
Source:Wikipedia

The Grand Staircase of the Bishop Palace.

The Grand Staircase of the Bishop Palace in Galveston Texas
Source: Pinterest

Lastly, I must make note of the ‘Galveston World Famous Victorian Holiday Festival‘. This event looks like a lot of fun!

dickens on the strand galveston texas
Source: Galveston Historical Foundation

Hope you enjoyed this brief tour of Galveston, now who wants to join me to discover what else this beautiful city has to offer? AND if you have been there, please share what one should see when visiting.

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

Liz