Landmark Building
BREEDEN'S HOTEL
Near 9909-102 Street , Grande Prairie
Built By: George Breeden and Joseph E. Germain
Built in 1907
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It seems fitting that one of Grande Prairie's most modern high rise office buildings now marks the spot near which Breeden's hotel, Grande Prairie's first commercial enterprise, once stood. George Breeden and Joseph E. Germain built the first two buildings within the present limits of Grande Prairie in 1907. Breeden ran a blacksmith business and operated a stopping-house. A large sign atop the building described the sod-roofed accommodation as the "Hotel Breeden", but its primitive amenities provided acceptable comfort only in comparison to the rigors of the Edson Trail or the Long Trail. Guests slept on the floor, and Breeden, an early riser, often began the day's work for both himself and his guests as early as 4:00 a.m.
Breeden was about to sell his property to the Argonaut townsite promoters when Bill Salmond arrived in Grande Prairie. Instead of closing down, Breeden made a deal with Salmond, making him manager of the hotel in 1911. Salmond built a two-storey hotel on the present site of Lilge Hardware (10031-100 Avenue) in 1912. This building was a substantial hostelry constructed with lumber from the Argonaut Company Limited mill. It had fourteen rooms on the top floor and a dining room and kitchen on the ground floor. Though a simple frame building, it had a substantial porch with a ballustered balcony which gave it a noticeable presence on Richmond Avenue.
The Landmark Buildings and Places Database draws on the series of walking and/or driving tour booklets produced by Alberta Culture (now Alberta Culture and Community Spirit). The Heritage Community Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ministry through permission to reprint these materials online. Extracted from Historical Walking and Driving Tour: Grande Prairie. Alberta Culture and Multiculturalism and the City of Grande Prairie, n.d., with permission from Alberta Culture and Community Spirit. Visit the Alberta Culture and Community Spirit for more information.