Thorsby Hotel
BP 6.0: Thorsby Hotel, Bar & Grill, Thorsby Alberta. Visited on August 5th, 2023. Team: Rob, Margarit, Chris & Connie. Guest photographers Arturo Pianzola & the Hotel Manager’s 7 year old daughter Agreema. Cameras used: 4×5″ Ebony Film, Contax 35mm Film, Canon 6D & 70D.
The Thorsby Hotel, built in 1929, is located on the corner of 50th Avenue and Hankin Street and occupies what was once a most strategic location. Like many a small town hotels, it was located directly across from the train station. People after all came or went by rail back in the day, so this was good for business. The town was founded, the railway came, and the hotel was built shortly afterwards.
The track is no longer used, and the train station is long gone. Highway #39 now bypasses the community and downtown Thorsby isn’t what it used to be, yet business was brisk on the night of our visit. People still visit the Thorsby Hotel, not to stay, but instead enjoy a meal, a couple of cocktails, chat with friends, and take in the music scene. It is the social center of the community.
While somewhat changed in appearance over the years, it’s still a building of character and instantly recognizable for what it is. Hotels were often the most prominent buildings in small towns and Thorsby is no exception. You can’t miss it, especially in the evening after the sidewalks have been rolled up. With nothing much else going on, it’s the afterhours centre of activity.
It’s there, lit up like a pinball machine and a shining beacon calling out into the night.
Thorsby, Alberta: Population about 1000, in Leduc County southwest of Edmonton.
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