The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) is an historic railway company in Canada that played a vital role in the country's development. The Railway was built between 1881 and 1885 as a transcontinental railroad, connecting the eastern provinces of Canada to the Pacific coast. It was a massive engineering feat that required overcoming challenging terrain, including the Rocky Mountains. Its construction was a condition for British Columbia to join the Canadian Confederation in 1871. The railway project aimed to physically unite Canada from coast to coast, providing an essential transportation link and fostering national unity.
Completing the CPR had significant financial implications for Canada. It opened up new opportunities for trade, settlement, and resource development, facilitating the growth of industries and towns along its route. The CPR was crucial in promoting immigration and settlement in Western Canada. The government offered incentives, such as land grants, to settlers willing to work and live along the railway line. The CPR expanded its operations beyond rail transportation by venturing into various industries including shipping, telecommunications, hotels, and mining, becoming a diversified conglomerate.
Today, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CP Rail) operates as a major Class I railway company in Canada and the United States, primarily focusing on freight transportation. It continues to be a vital part of the North American rail network.
Trains
Riding on a Canadian Pacific Rail (CPR) train in its earlier years was quite an adventure and offered a unique experience. The CPR traversed diverse and picturesque landscapes, providing passengers with breathtaking views of Canada's vast wilderness. From the rugged Rocky Mountains to the prairies and forests, the train journey offered a front-row seat to the country's natural beauty.
The CPR took pride in providing comfortable accommodations for its passengers. Depending on the class of service, passengers could enjoy various amenities, such as plush seating, sleeping berths, and well-appointed dining cars. Dining on a CPR train was an experience. Passengers could savour delicious meals prepared by skilled chefs, often featuring regional specialties and high-quality ingredients. The dining cars were elegantly decorated, creating a pleasant atmosphere for socializing and enjoying a meal. Train travel on the CPR was a social affair. Passengers would often gather in observation cars or lounges to relax, socialize, and enjoy the company of fellow travellers. The journey provided an opportunity to connect with people from different backgrounds and share stories and experiences. The CPR was known for its excellent service and
hospitality. Staff members catered to the needs of passengers, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable journey. From attentive porters to courteous dining car staff, the CPR strived to create a welcoming and memorable experience for its passengers. Riding on a CPR train was not just about getting from one destination to another; it was an adventure as the trains passed through remote and unsettled regions, adding an element of excitement and discovery to the journey. The experience of riding on a CPR train has changed, with changes in technology, amenities, and the overall travel industry.
Hotels
If more than the luxury of the trains was needed, CPR also provided elegant hotels near train stations and shipping harbours to match or beat the level of luxury passengers experienced on the trains and ships. The most elegant of these, known as The "Grand Train Hotels" is a collection of historic railway hotels built by the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These hotels were designed to provide luxurious accommodations for passengers travelling on CPR trains and ships and played a role in promoting tourism and settlement in Canada. Here are some notable examples of the Grand Train Hotels in Canada:
Chateau Frontenac (Quebec City, Quebec): This iconic hotel, located in the heart of Old Quebec, is often considered one of the most famous railway hotels in the world. Its castle-like architecture and panoramic views of the St. Lawrence River make it a landmark of Quebec City.
Banff Springs Hotel (Banff, Alberta): Nestled in the Canadian Rockies, this majestic hotel resembles a Scottish baronial castle. It offers luxurious accommodations and stunning views of the surrounding mountains and Banff National Park.
Chateau Lake Louise and Banff Springs Hotel, both in the Rockies, and other such luxurious hotels created a reason for Canadians and International visitors to travel across country.
Empress Hotel (Victoria, British Columbia) Situated in Victoria's Inner Harbour, this elegant hotel is known for its Edwardian architecture and waterfront location. It has been a symbol of luxury and hospitality on Vancouver Island for over a century.
Royal York (Toronto, Ontario): Located in downtown Toronto, this grand hotel is an architectural gem and a city landmark. It has been welcoming guests since 1929 and offers a blend of historic charm and modern amenities.
Hotel Vancouver (Vancouver, British Columbia): This iconic hotel, known as the "Castle in the City," is in downtown Vancouver's heart. Its distinctive green roof (aged copper) and timeless elegance have been a symbol of luxury and hospitality in the city since the 1930's.
These Grand Train Hotels are historical landmarks and continue to operate as luxury hotels, offering guests a glimpse into Canada's railway heritage while providing exceptional service, upscale accommodations, and fine dining experiences.
Locally:
If we narrow the scope down to locally in Penticton, our “Grand Hotel” would have been the Incola Hotel. This was located near the area where the SS Sicamous docked every night and where the KVR train station was.
To provide high-quality lodging for people travelling on the CPR mainline or steamships and passing through Penticton, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) company opened the Incola Hotel in 1912. It served the community for 70 years before being demolished in 1981.
The structure had a veranda, a half-timbered design in black and white, and fake Tudor decorations. Solid oak furniture with leather upholstery was used. Of the 62 rooms—14 had private bathrooms. There were five public bathrooms, a sun parlour, ladies' parlour, reading room with a fireplace, billiards room, and a music room could be found within. W.J. Richardson from the Queen's Hotel in Toronto, Ontario, served as the hotel's first manager. The hotel was constructed to house travellers from CPR steamships like the SS Sicamous, Stage Coaches, and the KVR Railway.
According to a resident of the Okanagan in the 1920s, dining at the Incola Hotel was a real treat. The dining room at the Incola was on a second-story level so that you could have a lovely view of the lake. In those days, you had to ascend quite a broad flight of steps to reach the entrance. The space was rather spacious and tastefully decorated with white linen-covered tables, high-back chairs, magnificent gleaming silver, and glassware, and fine English china... and of course, there were the equally tastefully dressed men waiters. The dinner was excellent and was delivered slowly. There were fish dishes, English meat pies, and of course, roast beef with Yorkshire Pudding. You could make your choice from a broad selection of desserts, including tarts and pastries that were typically brought in on a tea cart. The highlight of the event, though, was the "upper-crust atmosphere" they could create, which gave you the beautiful impression of "being somebody," and was such a delightful contrast to the more boisterous vibe on the American side. Starting in the early 1930s, the hotel also had telephones. According to the person in charge of installing them, "In the early 1930s, the Incola Hotel management decided that telephones should be installed in each room to replace the outdated wooden push-button buzzers used to call a busboy. When contacted, the busboy had to ascend from one to four stories to determine the guest's demands and make a second journey with the required supplies. Service was slow as a result. Cliff Greyell, the Penticton's office manager, ordered one switchboard, 80 telephones, wire, and fuse protectors for the incoming trunk lines, and more when the Okanagan Telephone Company received the go-ahead. I was responsible for setting up the phones in the rooms and other areas of the hotel. My experience with the job was quite positive, especially when I had to wire some of the rooms while the visitors were still there and didn't mind at all.
The hotel frequently hosted dances, receptions, and performances. The business was generated by passengers from the train and boats, and by 1928, lawn bowling was available on the premises. Bands and orchestras frequently performed during the 1930s. The hotel was the neighborhood's social hub for many years, hosting Board of Trade and Canadian Club dinners, Gyro, Kiwanis, and Rotary luncheons, parties, and weddings.
With the construction of new roadways in 1948, Penticton's prominence as a tourist destination and convention hub expanded. Further hotels were constructed, and the rail business declined. The Incola had four ownership changes between 1966 and 1975, and new additions and modifications completely altered the hotel's original design. When safety risks resulted from neglect, the fire marshal was forced to order the top floor's closure in 1963. By the late 1970s, the area had become a hangout for motorcyclists, minors, and regular strip shows that tarnished the hotel reputation. In 1978, two fires left a hole in the roof that was never patched. The Incola Hotel was eventually demolished in 1981.
Biagioni, Janelle (June 1, 1998). Penticton, British Columbia: Silhouette of Four Seasons. Penticton: Penticton. ISBN 9780969844952.
Kluckner, Michael. Vanishing British Columbia. 2011. UBC Press, Vancouver, B.C.
Canadian Pacific Ocean going Ships
The following images contain photos of ships from the Empress line
Transportation has always been a vital factor when it comes to the economic development of any nation. In Canada, the Canadian Pacific Rail Ships have played a significant role in connecting the vast expanse of the country and expanding its horizons. CP ships not only facilitated trade and commerce between different provinces of Canada but also contributed to the country's international trade, making it a crucial part of the nation's history. Established in 1881, the CPR Ships, were an extension of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. The Ocean going ships extended the lines across the Pacific and the Atlantic. One of the most iconic CPR Ships was the RMS Empress of Britain, launched in 1906. This ship became an emblem of Canadian maritime history and significantly connected Canada to Europe. It operated as a luxury passenger liner, carrying tourists and immigrants to and from Canada. The Empress of Britain became Canada's flagship ship, a symbol of Canadian pride and achievement. The CPR Ships also facilitated trade between North America and Asia. The Canadian Pacific Navigation Company established a regular passenger and cargo service between Vancouver, Canada, and Yokohama, Japan, in the late 19th century. This service opened up new trade and cultural exchange avenues, allowing Canadian goods and products to reach Asian markets and vice versa.
It further solidified Canada's presence as a key player in international trade. Moreover, the CPR Ships played a vital role during World War II. Due to the threat of German submarines in the Atlantic Ocean, many European ports became inaccessible. The CPR Ships stepped in to transport troops, supplies, and equipment across the Atlantic. These ships played a critical role in supporting the Allied forces, ensuring that aid reached the European frontlines. The bravery and resilience of the ships' crews were commendable as they faced great risks to fulfill their role in the war effort. The Canadian Pacific Rail Ships heritage is celebrated and remembered today through various initiatives. The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic in Halifax, Nova Scotia, preserves and showcases artifacts related to the CPR Ships, paying homage to their historical significance. The museum allows visitors to explore the rich maritime past, including the role of CPR Ships in shaping Canada's transportation and trade landscape. In conclusion, the Canadian Pacific Rail Ships have left an indelible mark on Canadian history. They played a crucial role in connecting Canada from coast to coast, facilitating trade and commerce domestically and internationally. The CPR Ships solidified Canada's presence in international trade and contributed significantly to the nation's economy and wartime efforts. Today, the legacy of these ships is treasured and remembered, reminding us of the resilience and dedication that defined Canada's transportation industry.
Sources
Biagioni, Janelle (June 1, 1998). Penticton, British Columbia: Silhouette of Four Seasons. Penticton: Penticton. ISBN 9780969844952.
“Connecting Canada.” Accessed August 24, 2023. https://cpconnectingcanada.ca/for-students/.
“CPR Ends in Vancouver - British Columbia - An Untold History.” Accessed August 24, 2023. https://bcanuntoldhistory.knowledge.ca.
Granger. “0064774 - CANADA: SLEEPING CAR, 1888. Sleeping Car on the Canadian Pacific Railway. Line Engraving, 1888.” Accessed August 28, 2023. https://granger.com/results.asp?image=0064774.
Kluckner, Michael. Vanishing British Columbia. 2011. UBC Press, Vancouver, B.C.
Lamb, W Kaye. Empress To The Orient. Vancouver Maritime Museum, Vancouver, 1991 ISBM: 0969522126
Logopedia. “Canadian Pacific Railway.” Accessed August 24, 2023. https://logos.fandom.com/wiki/Canadian_Pacific_Railway.
Pendergast, Denton. “The Canadian Pacific Empress Hotel.” Victoria Harbour History (blog), March 17, 2016. https://www.victoriaharbourhistory.com/locations/inner-harbour/the-fairmont-empress-hotel-2/.
“RMS Empress of Britain - Shipping Wonders of the World.” Accessed August 24, 2023. https://www.shippingwondersoftheworld.com/empress_britain.html.
Tales of the CPR, David Laurence Jones Fifth House Publishers, 2002 ISBN1894856058,
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