Montreal Hotel

The Montreal Hotel is characteristic of the boomtown architectural style, with a modified false-front façade. The two-storey building has an enclosed set of stairs on the west side of the building leading up to an open porch that runs the length of the second floor. The hotel had nine bedrooms, seven of which were in the attic, and a license to operate a bar room (that was essentially used as a Saloon), along with a separate space for the kitchen and dining area.

The smallest hotel on record for Rossland, it is one of the most recognizable landmarks in Rossland. When first built, the property was owned by Mr. Morin, also the liquor license holder. In 1900, the building was sold to Mr. Rumball, and not much was known about the building for three decades until the 1930s when it became the Okanagan Fruit Store (O.K. Store), which sold fruit exported from the Okanagan. Many Rosslanders have fond memories of visiting the OK Store to purchase penny candy, comic books, and cigarettes!

Subsequently, the building would be home to a series of other businesses, including the Boomtown Emporium sports equipment store (1990s), 1025 Tattoo (early 2010s), and the OK Gear Store (early 2020s).

For more information:

• Rossland Heritage Commission Official Heritage Register - Sites: Montreal Hotel

• Historic Places Canada: Montreal Hotel

Contribute your own memories/experiences of the Montreal Hotel/O.K. Store:

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