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. It was important for business and this corner was prime space.

People after all came or went by rail back in the day, so it makes complete sense. The town was founded, the railway came, and the hotel was built shortly afterwards. It all happened within a year or so in the late 1920s.

Today, the track is no longer used, and the train station is long gone. Highway #39 now bypasses the community and downtown Thorsby is not 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.

“I love this place. We drove all the way from Buck Lake (90km) to be here today. We stopped in here for food once and the next day we came back with family. Now we come here every chance we get.” – Marion & Paul

Still, there are a number of stores and shops in downtown, so it’s not completely done for. In some instances we’ve visited hotels that were the very last business in town, or perhaps one of two, but Thorsby seems to be doing okay.

The night’s entertainment was provided by local Dwanye and many nights there is a band or musician playing.

“The Thorsby Hotel was my first project as owning a business. Before that I was doing a lot of restaurant consultation and hospitality…we took over in 2017.” – Deepak.

While somewhat changed in appearance over the years, it is 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 not miss it, especially in the evening after the sidewalks have been rolled up. With nothing much else going on, it is the afterhours centre of activity.

It is there, lit up like a pinball machine (like the 1980s Williams Cyclone they had in the bar) and a shining beacon calling out into the night.

The Thorsby Hotel has an amazing kitchen staff and they take great pride in the food prepared. We heard it time and again from patrons. We were lucky enough to sample various dishes, including butter chicken, tandoori chicken, a pasta dish and a pizza, along with standard bar appies. The kitchen kept busy and clearly, the staff and everyone at the hotel is ambitious and works hard so it’s a success.

The Thorsby Hotel helped do a call out so we could get folks to interview and we kept busy chatting and recording. It was a good house that night and with the hard work put into it, they should be proud.

“The bacon alfredo is amazing” (we got a sample – it was a treat).”There’s nothing bad on the menu.” – Marion & Paul.

As we have been finding as shoot this series is that people while perhaps a bit unsure of our presence to begin with, soon are completely at ease. Within minutes it’s like we’re not even there and the cameras are often completely ignored. This affords a real fly-on-the-wall type peek at the happenings and goings on. It is natural, unforced and the photos reflect this.

Thorsby, Alberta: Population about 1000 and it is in Leduc County, southwest of Edmonton.

“When it comes to smaller town in Alberta there is just so much potential.” – Deepak.