Heritage | Fernie's Historic Hotels

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Follow this pub walk to learn about some of the locations still in operation and those that didn’t make it, and stop in for refreshments at four historical locations still in operation today.

Begin the tour in the centre of Historic Downtown Fernie, on the south side of 2nd Avenue between 5th & 6th Streets:

#1 THE WALDORF
562 2nd Ave 

• • This establishment was first built in the Old Town in 1898, and the business later moved into the downtown area.
    It burned down a total of four times and remained in operation until the late 1950s.
    The latest brick-built version is still on the site, and now in use as retail & space and condominiums.

from here, follow an expanding spiral route, first going northeast along 2nd Avenue to:

#2 THE KING EDWARD
602 2nd Ave

• • Built after the 1904 fire, the King Eddy remained in operation until it burned down in 1978. It is still fondly remembered by many local residents. 
    The original building was completely demolished and the site redeveloped; it now houses the Island Lake Catskiing Offices and other retail businesses.

continue northeast along 2nd Avenue:

#3 THE QUEEN’S HOTEL
792 2nd Ave

• • Opened in 1906 as a workingman’s hotel offering $1 rooms
    Converted to apartments in 1944 and torn down in 1986.
    The site was redeveloped and is now home to the Save On Foods grocery store.

at the corner of 2nd Avenue and 7th street, go south to the next location:

#4 THE ROMA/THE FERNIE
691 1st Avenue

• • Phillip Carosella opened the first Roma Hotel on Victoria Avenue in 1903 as the ‘headquarters for Italians in the city.’
    The hotel burned down in the 1908 fire, and rebuilt on the current location.
    The name was changed in 1945 to The Fernie Hotel, and it became The Fernie Taphouse in 2022.
    You've earned your first beverage! Stop in for a cold one, and maybe a bite to eat - The Fernie Taphouse is famous for their fish & chips!

from The Taphouse, continue southwest along 1st Avenue, past the historic Arts Station building, the former Fernie Railway Station. Your next location is on the next block:

#5 THE IMPERIAL
City Parking Lot on the corner of 1st Avenue & 6th Street

• • Opened in 1909, abandoned in 1914, and demolished in 1956.
    The property housed liquor agent and infamous bootlegger, Emilio Picariello.

the next location is next door, also on 1st Avenue:

#6 THE LEGION
551 1st Avenue

• • Celebrating 100 years in 2026!
    The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #36 opened in 1926.
    It is still a popular gathering place and live entertainment venue.
    Stop in for a cold drink and chat with some of Fernie's locals.

continue along 1st Avenue: 

#7 THE ROYAL HOTEL
501 1st Ave

• • The Royal Hotel opened on this site in 1909 and was in continuous operation until it was sold in 2020.
    A previous Royal Hotel was first opened in 1899 on Victoria Avenue, enjoying the reputation as one of the best establishments in British Columbia. That property burned down in the first fire of 1904, was rebuilt, and burned down again in 1908.
    The building is currently undergoing extensive renovations and will re-open as a boutique hotel.

from here, continue along 1st Avenue to 4th Street, then turn right and stop at the four-way crossing at the corner of 2nd Avenue & 4th Street; location #8 is on your right:

#8 THE HOTEL FERNIE
402 2nd Avenue

• • The Hotel Fernie was built following the 1908 fire, and burned down in 1927.
    The site sat empty until the Sparling East Medical Clinic was built in 1968.

The next location is across the street, to your left:

#9 THE NAPANEE & KINGS HOTELS
Corner of 2nd Avenue & 4th Street

• • Two hotels were built here in 1905, the Napanee was named after the town of the same name in Ontario.
    Both buildings burned down in 1982 and were torn down shortly after.
    The site was redeveloped and now houses the a small stripmall.

The next two locations are on the north side of 2nd Avenue: 

#10 THE CENTRAL
301 2nd Avenue

• • The ‘Workingman’s Hotel’ opened in 1901 by Sarah Jennings, a partner in Klausman’s Fernie Brewery, and William Eshwig of the Northern.
    The original brick building is one of the few remaining structures that survived the 1904 & 1908 fires.
    The property is now in use as short term rental accommodation, plus the Himalayan Spice Bistro Restaurant on the ground floor, along with a bar/nightclub that operates seasonally. 
    Enjoy a meal on the patio in the summer, or see calendars for dates of DJ nights in the bar throughout the winter!

#11 THE VICTORIA HOTEL
391 2nd Avenue

• • When Fernie relocated to its current location (the townsite was formerly situated on Coal Creek), The Victoria was the first hotel built in 1898. It offered $2 rooms and had a porter service that met every train.
    The hotel was lost in the fire of 1904.
    The site was later redeveloped and now houses a branch of TD Canada Trust, along with other businesses.

at the four way crossing, cross the street to the north side of 2nd Avenue, and head northeast to the final location:

#12 THE NORTHERN
561 2nd Avenue

• • Built in 1898 by William Eshwig, a partner in the ill-fated Fernie Brewery, and Sarah Jennings of the The Central.
    The Northern had extensive modern conveniences including indoor bathrooms and electric lighting, plus a bar and barber shop.
    The premises has operated almost continuously for over 125 years.
    Stop in for a drink or a meal, and reflect on the history of Fernie's hotel industry that began in this small 4-block radius.