The Basin Record Newsletter Vol.1 Issue 2

The Byng Hotel is one of Cranbrook’s treasured landmarks, or at least it should be! The building was built by L.B. VanDecar in 1898 as the Royal Hotel. It soon grew with additions and extensions to a substantial 86 rooms and apartments. The Royal also possessed a pool room featuring both English and American forms of the game. By 1911 the Royal was owned by W.A. Rollins, with William Steward acquiring ownership in 1913. On April 9 th , 1921, the Cranbrook Cenotaph was unveiled close to the hotel, marking the acquisition of the building by the Great War Veterans Association. The Association operated the Royal Hotel until September, 1926, when the building assumed the Byng Hotel name. The hotel was upgraded at that time with luxurious hot and cold running water, and with electric lamps illuminating the exterior. In 1928 the Byng Hotel received a liquor license and this old-timer remains operating today, 108 years later. As a sidebar, the Cenotaph was moved in August 1926 to the Government Building which was located on the site of the present- day Cranbrook Mall. When the Government Building came down the Cenotaph was relocated to its present resting spot in Rotary Park. The first two weeks of November proved to be a time of discovery, laughter, wonder and reflection. That is of course, if you were lucky enough to have attended the “Word in the Basin” storytelling festival in Cranbrook’s downtown area during that time. Renowned storyteller Joe Pierre started things off with his fabulous retelling of the Ktunaxa Creation story. The audience delighted in Joe’s physical expressions as he brought to life many different characters and places in the story. Angus Davis then recounted the memories of his father’s life, appreciating how precious his brief time with Angus Sr. really was. A good laugh was had by all and we were gently reminded about how to appreciate the people in our own lives. Angus also shared more exploits of the Davis family with a recount of his childhood vacation to Kaslo, BC. Next up was “Mountain Mumma” aka Heather deJong with her testimony of one of her ancestors, Fred Roo, for which Roosville was named. Syl Gauvreau spoke of the once booming town of Lumberton. Perhaps Syl’s story of this nearly forgotten hamlet will inspire others to take notice of their historical surroundings and ask questions about the buildings, people and towns in their area. In conclusion, we would like to thank all the storytellers for sharing their passions and inciting the same in us. Also a big thanks to the venues for supporting this event: Katrina’s Books; Kootenay Roasting Co.; Lotus Books; Max’s Place (downtown location) and the Village Baker. For enthusiastic members of the audience who faithfully came to hear these fine storytellers have their say, we hope to provide you and others with more storytelling in 2006. Stupendous Showing of Local Talent at Word in the Basin Cranbrook’s “Royal” Treasure Books let us hover on the wings of history and move us into future’s mystery. It is thus very fitting that Cranbrook’s centennial time capsule, commemorating one hundred years of incorporation for the City, has been displayed in the Cranbrook Public Library. The official commemoration ceremony took place at 4:00 pm on November 1, 2005. Open to the public and officiated by time capsule committee member Angus Davis, the ceremony publicized the contents of the time capsule and acknowledged the collective effort of many Cranbrook citizens in assembling a reflection of Cranbrook’s past. Presentations by Mayor Ross Priest, Ursula Brigl, Marilyn Ferguson, and Derryll White emphasized the significance of Cranbrook’s centennial year and the importance of celebrating and revisiting history in public spaces. The Columbia Basin Institute of Regional History was pleased to assemble and preserve the materials for the time capsule. The Institute would like to thank all contributing citizens for their efforts, and encourages the people of Cranbrook to continue a creative exploration of community history. Embalmed in Books: Commemoration of the Centennial Time Capsule at the Cranbrook Public Library B rief M oment in T ime ... Excerpt from The Cranbrook Herald, September 26, 1907 “W.R. Beatty claims the distinction of raising the first bunch of grapes ever produced in East Kootenay. Mr. Beatty has the proof in the way of the grapes growing on the vine at his home in this city. Great soil and great climate in this banana belt.” British Columbia Archives E-05371