The Famous Empress Hotel | Only Operational for two years

The Famous Empress Hotel | Only Operational for two years | Destination Adventure

Рет қаралды 201,008

Күн бұрын

My time in Stewart was a little bit shorter than I had hoped, but I still got to fit in some awesome adventures and see some amazing history. This is the Empress hotel, and it caught my eye when I very first arrived. Seeing an old building like this, I always get excited to produce a story on it, but I did not expect to learn about the interesting history behind this one. The building its-self has had several different lives, but the original intention of a hotel never saw its potential. It is unfortunate, because the building is so beautiful and would have made an amazing hotel, especially if it was maintained over the years. All in all though, the building is in great shape given that it is more than 100 years old and has to handle the tough north western winters, often suffering though 30+ feet of snow.
I have my suspicions that the Empress hotel may not get another shot at life, but the bones are still strong and the building would be great for a variety of purposes.
If you enjoy this channel, and the history I try to preserve, please consider supporting on Patreon: / destinationadventure
Much love to you all.

Пікірлер: 382

@your_local_idiots2245 2 жыл бұрын

Those are my initials and foot prints! I grew up there with Frank’s daughter! So cool!

@themoviedealers 2 жыл бұрын

Could we ask when you placed those there?

@aazhie 2 жыл бұрын

Nice! If you have any cool memories, you should share, or send to Dustin to include in a video?? :D

@capitalp5032 2 жыл бұрын

That’s so funny!!! Small world 🌎 is all I can say 👍

@whatyoumakeofit6635 2 жыл бұрын

Wow, how cool. Id imagine a interesting and fun childhood.

@kimberlyk3928 2 жыл бұрын

That's pretty cool!

@zeppelinkiddy 2 жыл бұрын

That old light bulb-like fire extinguisher is filled with now-banned carbon tetrachloride. It was meant to be thrown at the base of the fire. My grandparents old farmhouse in North Dakota had several of them on the walls and stairs. Besides throwing them, their bulb extinguishers wall brackets had an extra feature that automatically dropped the bulb when the heat of a fire reached it.

@Glenn-em3hv 10 ай бұрын

That's a great idea and why don't we come up with something like that but better???

@deirdrepasko9965 2 жыл бұрын

The windows with hinges above the doors are called Transom Windows. They were invented in the 1800's, and were the first 'air conditioners'. Homes and buildings in the olden days had high ceilings for air flow using those windows. They would keep the homes and buildings cool in the summer, and warm in the winter. Many old homes still have them to this very day, and work quite well.

@joyremillard8333 2 жыл бұрын

The window above the door is called a transom, no AC so just let’s the airflow without having the doors all Open 😃

@tarn1135 2 жыл бұрын

You are absolutely correct. Before the invention of gas forced air the windows would get mold because of lack of air flow. That is a big problem in northern areas where Steam heat, electric heat, and boiler heat are primarily used. During the summer those allowed air flow without the need for the doors to be open. Sadly most of those on the entryway to buildings in my area are either walled off or converted into air conditioner housing which I never really understood because they’d drip on people coming in and out of the buildings.

@FLMegan 2 жыл бұрын

Yup transom-they are like that in all the old homes in the south or they used screen.

@GregoryLindsey1979 2 жыл бұрын

@@tarn1135 In the United States, at least, most fire codes forbid transoms due to the ability for fire to spread between rooms through them; the Our Lady of the Angels school fire was one horrific instance in which the fire shattered transom windows and spread along the ceiling.

@geistlos333 2 жыл бұрын

Surprised to see a transom in BC - they appeared to be quite common in places like St. Louis (where sealed up ones were all over the house we rented). I thought it was for letting out heat but I see in other comments it was more for reducing mold and what not - and yeah, in St. Louis - I could see that being a positive feature :)

@gordobone 2 жыл бұрын

Frank says that you forgot to mention that the Empress is for sale! I lived in this building solo for about four months… 6000 square feet and no heat. Great video Dustin, I’m glad it worked out.

@Destination_Adventure 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the tour amigo. I should have done a sales pitch for him. Lol

@deetw6470 2 жыл бұрын

I hope whoever buys it restores it & takes good care of the place.

@leonashford4505 2 жыл бұрын

@@deetw6470 He really sounds not bitter and is humble about what it could be to fit the neighborhood. I hope so too because I’m sure seeing someone else happy with it make him feel complete with it. I’m tipsy so overthinking lol

@ihatedietcola7920 2 жыл бұрын

My uncle owns an old mansion built in 1898 and some of the windows are still original with original glass with those counter weights. The upper floors still have the original wiring with those insulators but there's no power going to those. This is in Everett Washington.

@mc3lizard 2 жыл бұрын

6:20 A Transom was quite common in buildings of that era in the United States. Ventilation. 8:29 "Knob and tube" wiring, before good insulation was developed. 11:00 Carbon Tetrachloride was used in these fire extinguishers. The Chemical causes brain damage, so it's no longer used. The windows have a sash weight on each side, so that's 4 per window.

@therebex23 2 жыл бұрын

Love when you include local historians in your videos - super cool that you reach out to them to give a more formal and in-depth background of the places you visit. Equally love the ones where you are just adventuring around and discovering on your own. Keep up the good work!

@deendrew36 Жыл бұрын

I like that too. Gives it a documentary feel. Which, I guess it is!

@blueman5924 2 жыл бұрын

original wiring was called “knob and tube”. The tubes went through the wood, ie studs, wall plates, and the wires inside of them were thus isolated. Still find some early 1900’s homes with it, a huge red flag for home inspectors. 🔥 Great walk through ! 👍

@paulortiz2035 2 жыл бұрын

Knob and tube wiring should be a HUGE red flag for anyone, if still in use. Esp home owners/tenants!!!

@lotharschiese8559 8 ай бұрын

@@paulortiz2035 Connections, junctions were twisted wire, over time these connections fail to make good contact, causing a higher resistance which creates heat causing the rubber insulation to burn.

@frankdaddyoh6811 2 жыл бұрын

In that room with the toasters and stuff , you came across an old type lithograph machine ( with the big crank ) an old time copy machine .... I have not seen an old one like that in a long time .....nice to see...

@AndyDeMontana 2 жыл бұрын

5:20 - That little room is probably the phone booth. Other old hotels of that era with which I am familiar had that. The doors, windows, and flooring are so much like the house I grew up in Nice to see.

@DragonflyenAmber 2 жыл бұрын

You could make some really nice apartments in that place. Even on that top floor. Stunning views

@dodgeguyz 2 жыл бұрын

I love it when you find people that are willing to share the history they know of a particular area or town. It makes your videos the best and most informative travel series on the internet. Thank you! Always look forward to your videos.

@wabump8072 2 жыл бұрын

Great old building. The transom windows are great for air movement. I remember the ones in my grandmothers house in NY. My first house was built in 37 still had knob and tube wiring. It’s downfall was insulation… we started adding it to our homes and it could no longer dissipate heat and would fail. Packed away somewhere, I have a box of the old “fire grenades.” You would literally take it out of the holder and throw it at the fire. Other models had a spring and bimetallic strip that would break at a preset temperature! Thank you for the walk-through!

@gregruckstuhl4268 2 жыл бұрын

Love the old windows with the counterweights

@7555mac 2 жыл бұрын

i traveled into Hyder and Steward in the 1960s, here to see what it looks like today, thanks for the video.

@lucielevesque3560 2 жыл бұрын

Fantastic! Thanks for sharing us some BC rural findings! I've done some B&W pics back in 2009 of this building who definitely standing out!

@davidandrews720 2 жыл бұрын

I love the old classic buildings...Nice walk thru!

@47fireguy16 2 жыл бұрын

I retired as a fire inspector in a major department 8 years ago. The Empress was beautiful, in it's own historic way, but there are reasons they don't build most things like that building anymore. The main object of fire codes is "life safety". If something goes dreadfully wrong and there is a fire can the people safely get out ? Looking at the old construction allowed back in the day the answer would be no in that building. It would be beautiful renovated but I think the owner you met would have a case of major sticker shock to get it where it could be safely occupied. That old wood and top to bottom openings would cause it to burn fast and completely. I got called to inspect a space in a building where the owner found a box full of those carbon tet fire bombs. I told him how toxic they were and he needed to get some guidance on getting rid of them safely. Well, his idea of getting rid of them was to put them in his car and take them home. He dropped the box and broke several of them. He had the sense to run but had to called a haz mat clean up company to "fix his mess. After two days of his business being shut down and several thousand dollars for clean up he could get on with his life and business.

@tomstulc9143 2 жыл бұрын

Woopie shit some nickel and dime fire sticks. Like they are going to destroy planet earth. You government hyper ventilation make believe government leaches..

@stevebrant9012 2 жыл бұрын

How about you just let us enjoy the video, Fire Marshall Bill? I bet you're a blast at parties. You're probably the one guy that walks around looking for fire hazards and exits...just in case.

@kululv 2 жыл бұрын

thanks for that explanation! I would not have thought about these problems, but makes complete sense. Because I too thought this building needs the be brought back, but that is a real problem. its a beautiful building, but it probably never going to happen.

@kululv 2 жыл бұрын

@@stevebrant9012 just enjoy the video. You know people like Fire Marshall Bill saved a lot of peoples lives in the World trade center, because unlike the ignorant dumb asses, he knew where the fire exits where!

@illbeyourstumbleine 2 жыл бұрын

@@tomstulc9143 they actually cause brain damage if inhaled, they're very dangerous. Maybe you mishandled a few yourself and that's why you are prone to sudden outburst of anger towards people just trying to spread information? Good luck with that bud.

@wapartist 2 жыл бұрын

Those hinged transoms over the doors is a nice architectural element and would have been a nice feature for air movement.

@aaronk534 2 жыл бұрын

I had em in an old apt building. I got them working again and they are fantastic at removing hot air. Love them. Shame they quit using em

@wapartist 2 жыл бұрын

@@aaronk534 agreed! I actually am a construction inspector and I see them occasionally in the historic buildings I look at. fire regulations and modern HVAC systems is what did them in. Usually they demand they get sealed and hardware removed and they can stay

@joelhill4107 2 жыл бұрын

That used to be the thing in the day, so could get cross ventilation in the rooms. Wouldn't give much privacy, giving the mattress box springs always squeaked. Those weights are called sash weights. I once renovated an old house that came from an Eaton's catalogue. Plans, hardware, windows, lumber. Everything came in the package. The weights used to go inside the wall cavity though. Insulation consisted of old newspapers, calendars, whatever they had on hand. the rest was filled with sawdust, wood chips, that would be great for rodents and settle to the bottom of the stud space. Not very well insulated to say the least.

@IratePuffin 2 жыл бұрын

I have transoms in my house. They’re just solid panes though and don’t open. My house is only 4 years old.

@wapartist 2 жыл бұрын

@@IratePuffin oh yeah they are definitely used in residential to this day and sealed. Hotels aren’t classified as residential and that’s why you wouldn’t see them there today. And a lot of times transoms are over cased openings, those can be in any use type

@williamirelan9332 2 жыл бұрын

The center shaft on buildings for ventilation and light is called an atrium still in use on large buildings today. Most of the schools that I went to had transoms common in Office Buildings the ones in the hotels usually have curtains across them for privacy or frosted glass. The machine that you were turning is probably an old mimeograph machine used to make handbills. And of course the iron bars are sash weights. The window frame is called the sash and the weight counterbalances the sash so therefore referred to as the sash weight. The 8th probably refers to 8 lb my job when I was working construction as a Young Man was to switch out the ropes for chains. The hard part was removing the wood trim without breaking it. Sometimes the frame had a wooden plug held in by a screw to make it easy to access the weight.

@mrandrat625 2 жыл бұрын

I am really jealous of your adventures Dustin. I wish I was physically able. Thank you for the chance to adventure vicariously with you through these videos.

@brendacanter9768 2 жыл бұрын

Me too.

@deendrew36 Жыл бұрын

Same. I live vicariously through Dustin! Lol

@casedoumasr656 2 жыл бұрын

In 1998 we took a trip to Alaska and came back on the Casriar???highway we were going to go toward Stewart but did not .But now will be able to see some of the area .thank you for your adventures. From the Sumas area in wash state .p.s. HOPE you find your 2 wheeler 😞

@Gumeluvr 2 жыл бұрын

That building is gorgeous! I would live in it!

@talyn3932 2 жыл бұрын

at 11:50 ish someone took the "leave nothing but footprints" to heart.

@Marty59143 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you for listing your sound tracks, great vid as well. Glad to hear the Gnarly is back in your possession.

@robynsnest22 2 жыл бұрын

Where did you find out that his bike was returned? I didn't see anything about it.

@thedrainjunkie5654 Жыл бұрын

The glass in the old windows is wavy because of how it was made. A large gather of glass is attached to a blow pipe and then blown into a big long bubble. The craftsman would stand next to a large pit and swing the bubble like a pendulum while blowing it to the correct thickness. The ends of the hardened bubble were cut off and a crack was made down the side of the resulting cylinder of glass. The cracked cylinders were then placed in a kiln to soften where they could then be opened up at the crack and spread into the sheets that were then cut to size for the windows. Cool stuff! I'm a glass blower who also installed windows for a number of years. Curiosity got the best of me and I had to figure it out one day. :)

@ryanmilligan9372 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome video, and beautiful hotel. Thanks for sharing your visit there.

@alexinnewwest1860 2 жыл бұрын

I love to see an episode like this on the Coalmont Hotel! Carful with those early fire extinguishers, They have some crazy toxic chemical in them. It’s not water

@RichtorLazlo 2 жыл бұрын

Seeing that fire extinguisher was very cool, made this video worth it.

@BSoucy 2 жыл бұрын

Awesome experience and those doors with windows some homes had those long ago there were exciting to have if you locked yourself out of the room you always had access to climb throw the window over the door way do yeah it was awesome to see a place again with windows over the door entrance

@nancysmith2295 2 жыл бұрын

Really cool place. Thanks for going to the top for a quick view. I have seen some of the old fire extinguishers. Glad you pointed it out. Thanks for the Empress Hotel.🙂

@jonahmk3421 2 жыл бұрын

I just discovered your channel, you’re really inspiring me to get back out on the open road and explore 🙌🏻 I need to see B.C.

@tfox285 2 жыл бұрын

I love your adventures, and I would really love to see your production value for an adventure up the Nahanni River valley. It has amazing history and creepy mythology. I watched an amazing film made by Mel and Ethel Ross from 1958, they briefly looked at some of the caves in the area and found burned areas where fires had been and petroglyphs, but you couldn’t see them well with the technology they had at the time.

@tacrewgirl Жыл бұрын

Thanks for introducing me to the Nahanni Valley.

@jamesprovost2602 2 жыл бұрын

I really love your content an appreciate that you get the actual facts from the people who are from the area or who are trying to preserve the places. I’m binging on your page now 😅🙏🏾✨💖

@richardbeee 2 жыл бұрын

Love the old trim. Great walk thru.

@Hogger280 2 жыл бұрын

Can you imagine the electric bill - single pane windows, probably little or no insulation and baseboard heaters. It must have originally had a coal furnace but no sign of old radiators now. The rooms are so tiny.

@ksokie63 2 жыл бұрын

That was a cool place to see. Thank you for sharing.

@Sunshine-pl6qf 2 жыл бұрын

Amazingly beautiful video like always. Thank you so much for letting us see God’s beautiful creation through your eyes and videos. God bless you and may all your travels be fun and safe…

@amrogers4 2 жыл бұрын

What a spectacular building & rich history! My parents' house has many of the same architectural elements. Appreciate the attention you were able to give it w/ just a lens :)

@annmarieschantz9724 2 жыл бұрын

I love that old building! Thanks for showing us.

@Glenn-em3hv 10 ай бұрын

That light bulb fire extinguisher is just awesome and I want them in my house!!!!

@debbieschupp7758 2 жыл бұрын

What a neat place! This tour was fun!

@jasonmawle2457 2 жыл бұрын

Wow!! BC history channel once again!! Mind blown! Thanks for the amazing watch BC friend! Keep up the good work! Crazy history!

@DocJ58-OCB 2 жыл бұрын

Hey Dustin,I was really sorry to hear about the "Gnarley Davidson"...I just don't get people and their feelings of entitlement to other folks stuff. I've been really enjoying your Northern B.C. series (I'm from Vancouver Island originally and would love to do a series like what you do,only just on the Island itself (I'm from Port Renfrew ,raised in Duncan) but know the island from Victoria to Cape Scott.....anyway,thanks for doing what you do,it keeps an old dude breathing and dreamin'...oh,and BTW,the windows above the doors that you saw were called transoms....and as for the light shafts in a building,I lived in an S.R.O hotel in Vancouver that had one,and I had a room on the 3rd floor and my window opened onto the light shaft,only it had been made into a sitting area/lounge on the main floor...kind of a cool place........peace out Mr.P...take nothing but pictures ,leave nothing but footprints...such an absolutely awesome mantra.

@talyn3932 2 жыл бұрын

It was found! update on his video from a few days ago. :)

@DocJ58-OCB 2 жыл бұрын

@@talyn3932 Thanks Talyn,I hadn't seen the update

@ChrisRI1000 2 жыл бұрын

Liked the window weights because they reminded of when I was a kid and one of my jobs was to replace the rope. ALSO INTERESTING is the revolutionaries use to melt those down to make lead bullets because the British had confiscated powder and ammo trying to disarm them.

@Deathcat1000 2 жыл бұрын

I lived there for years , now I'm home sick 😩 best town ever

@holoholopainen1627 2 жыл бұрын

How IS to live there ? What Do The People Do For For LIVING ?

@dgc940 2 жыл бұрын

Holly cow! 1.90 a liter ! glad I live in USA I paid 2.47 per gallon just today! That's 3.5 L

@rootbox 2 жыл бұрын

3.95 per average in Washington State.

@RogerWKnight 2 жыл бұрын

@@rootbox Now that the border is reopening, fill up on the Washington side before going across! Expect to see Canadians lining up at the fuel stations in Blaine and Sumas!

@ohjessika 2 жыл бұрын

This was beautifully shot! Loved hearing the story of the Empress.

@capitalp5032 2 жыл бұрын

I knew what the window weights were for my old house used to have them!!!

@lowket 2 жыл бұрын

It's worth renovating; no doubt. Only thing is: what are the tourist attractions there? You need to attract tourists too.

@brendacanter9768 2 жыл бұрын

Could always say its haunted. People love that stuff.

@sybrandkamermans6371 Жыл бұрын

The footprints on the wall were mine from the 90's! What a beautiful video, thanks Dustin

@LiveAlohaOhana 7 ай бұрын

That is the coolest building with the woodwork and hardwood floors and that view is just beautiful ❤ Such a shame it cant be enjoyed

@vancityracedesigns2283 Жыл бұрын

stayed with my aunt who's lived there long as i can remember. for a summer when i was 15. such an amazing place

@cathymacdonald1469 2 жыл бұрын

The hinges on the upper doorframe is for air flow. We had counter waits in the windows at the Kitwanga CN Station. Thank you for the beautiful gift of history in our region

@robroaring7175 2 жыл бұрын

Only just starting to watch this episode….and that Toaster guy I saw on a previous episode pops up. I really like this guy. He has a voice and demeanour, that I could listen to all day. Don’t really know what, but he does. You gotta get him to start his own channel 😀 Cheers, love your channel. Rob, Tasmania, Australia 🇦🇺

@candymcclure2476 2 жыл бұрын

Windows above the interior doors was very common in early 1900's. They were for circulation and called a transom. Gramma Candy

@ladylizzie3 2 жыл бұрын

Fascinating!

@punchfisttop 2 жыл бұрын

Your positivity about the past and even current life keeps me goin bro!!! LOVE YOU MAN!!!

@KrazyMitchAdventures 2 жыл бұрын

Another fantastic journey into history. Thanks Capt. D

@jonthebru 2 жыл бұрын

I really like the knowledge you have and the respect you show for all these places you explore.

@gcprost 2 жыл бұрын

I intend to be in Stewart next summer and see this extraordinary hotel, although, I don’t expect to see the inside. Thanks for giving me such a wonderful tour!

@runitbyme 2 жыл бұрын

You do a GREAT job of this! Thank You for taking us along on the adventure! God bless❤️

@vickisawyer7405 Жыл бұрын

Man, I wish I had the money to save that old place. I love hotels, especially the old ones. Maybe if I win the lotto...good story!!

@angesvlogs6628 2 жыл бұрын

Gorgeous building and amazing history ❤️

@rhondaburke5700 2 жыл бұрын

Amazingly beautiful.

@Hogger280 2 жыл бұрын

Those horizontal windows above the doors are called transoms and were used for air circulation. I love the toaster collection and the old mimeograph machines and sowing machine.

@spongebobsqueeze 2 жыл бұрын

Great video! I love the Grand name given to this hotel. What a interesting history. Hard to imagine someone would be arrest just for the country they were born in. Sorry about your bike. That must have been so disappointing. Hopefully it will not slow you down any as we all love your videos and they just get better and better!

@jfarinacci0329 2 жыл бұрын

Really good views. Thank you.

@chrisblack8390 8 ай бұрын

Love that building. Thanks

@mertfox3488 2 жыл бұрын

Great history of Stuart. Thanks. When you get a new gnarly.. hide a GPS tracker on it. Link it to your own phone. Camping and outdoor stores should stock them.

@warrenfloyd1484 2 жыл бұрын

Love the blues style music in the background 😎, I play blues harmonica, great video!!!

@JayMumper 2 жыл бұрын

Gotta say I felt my gut pucker up when you climbed that ladder.

@60gator 2 жыл бұрын

Not just for light on that big vertical also chimney in summer to draw heat,but holy canoli that building is cherry! Here in south everything rots in two years if no maintenance.Beautiful how that spruce has held up, truly boatbuilder's choice(sitka) good vid thanx

@cliffordblack5103 2 жыл бұрын

That's awesome thanks for the video 👍

@jasonburge7054 2 жыл бұрын

Those window weights make great anchors for a kayaks,canoes and small boats

@leonashford4505 2 жыл бұрын

The exterior reminds me of the hotel that was decimated and buried under 200 feet of mud at the base of Mount St Helens. Nice guy too!

@billgoeckel6344 2 жыл бұрын

Great documentary Dustin !

@lindamesa5122 2 жыл бұрын

Its a real did building! It would be a great place for old miners on a pension! Beautiful scenery and peaceful!!!

@worknfun7368 2 жыл бұрын

Such a cool place.

@joevahargitt1556 2 жыл бұрын

The old Windsor hotel in Garden City Kansas would be a fantastic walk-through. At different times people have talked about renovating it but so far it hasn’t been done.

@rainmaker7122 2 жыл бұрын

Epic!!

@readpostcard Жыл бұрын

Love the history of BC places. Thank you

@robertthorpe2401 2 жыл бұрын

The windows with the counter weights are called Sash window, Hopefully there's news soon on the knarly davidson.

@dianneeverett1633 2 жыл бұрын

Neat architecture and history. Love the sewing machine.

@MegaDuke1982 2 жыл бұрын

Very cool building with those light shafts! I have never seen that before.

@OneBlueFroggy 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, really enjoyed it ! Thank you ! 👍🇨🇦✌️

@doc3210 2 жыл бұрын

Best destination adventure so far love the history from the current owner

@jimmyg2615 2 жыл бұрын

Great vid.. always appreciate your content

@Glenn-em3hv 10 ай бұрын

They just were smarter in the past and built better! Those counter weights is a fantastic idea!

@brookeshaffer4377 2 жыл бұрын

Trippy place🍄Can imagine it back in the day being really cool🌟Thanks👍

@cherylsibson2529 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing piece of history I bet that building had old laundry shoots and things, the bare bones of the building are good, floors are incredible shape, thanks for showing us the Famous Empress Hotel.