Prince of Wales Hotel National Historic Site
© Parks Canada
© Parks Canada / J. F. Bergeron
© Parks Canada / W. Lynch
Prince of Wales Hotel was designated as a national historic site in 1992.
Commemorative plaque: main lobby of the Prince of Wales Hotel, left of the elevator, Waterton Lakes National Park, AlbertaFootnote 1
Prince of Wales Hotel
The Prince of Wales Hotel is a grand survivor from the golden age of railway resort development in Canada. Constructed in 1926-1927, it was the sole Canadian link in a chain of resort hotels developed by the Great Northern Railway. Its soaring roof, gables and balconies convey the appearance of a giant alpine chalet and enclose a magnificent timber-framed interior that continues to evoke the rustic atmosphere of mountain lodges built in that period. The hotel’s striking design and dramatic setting make it a unique landmark closely associated with the history of Waterton Lakes Park.
Description of historic place
The Prince of Wales Hotel is a large hotel, designed in a Swiss-chalet style. It is picturesquely situated on a promontory overlooking Waterton Lake and the town site of Waterton Lakes National Park. The formal recognition consists of the footprint of the building at the time of designation.
Heritage value
The Prince of Wales Hotel was designated a national historic site in 1992 because it is constructed in the Rustic Design tradition and it is associated with tourism development in the national parks.
Built in Waterton Lakes National Park by the Great Northern Railway (GNR) as the only Canadian link to a network of American park resorts, the Prince of Wales follows the Swiss-chalet theme established for GNR resorts. The design theme extended the bold Rustic aesthetic used in Canada's national parks during the early 20th century.
Built in 1926-7, the Prince of Wales Hotel represents the golden age of railway resort development in Canada. The construction of a large hotel was considered vital to the success of the national park as a tourist destination. The hotel functions as the pre-eminent resort facility within the park. The hotel's striking design and spectacular setting make it a landmark and symbol of Waterton Lakes National Park.
Sources: Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, Minutes, 1992; Commemorative Integrity Statement.
The National Program of Historical Commemoration relies on the participation of Canadians in the identification of places, events and persons of national historic significance. Any member of the public can nominate a topic for consideration by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada.
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