The Word on the Street... Historical Walking Tour Hotter than the latest gossip magazine, this self-guided tour reveals Waterton’s deepest secrets. BONUS: this one-hour walk is not only great for your health but you will have learned, as well, some interesting facts to share at your next social gathering! This tour moves you through 22 commercial and community buildings, each with its own fascinating story dating back over one hundred years. Use the townsite free Wi-Fi and visit WatertonHistoricalTour.com to embark on this fascinating journey.
National Collection, W.J. Oliver, Parks Canada
The Northland Lodge Louis Hill, owner of Great Northern Railway and Prince of Wales Hotel, constructed the Northland Lodge as a side project, mainly to keep his workers busy. This property’s primary function was that of an entertainment home. At the time, it was the biggest home on the largest lot in the park. Rumour has it that the structure was designed on a paper bag! It contained the best furniture and finest china, some of which is still on display. The investment was paid primarily in cash. The current owners hold the original letter the contractor wrote to tell this story. Love went wrong... One of the Prince of Wales managers, Ted Udell, lived in this home with his spouse, Grace, who without the
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legalities of a marriage, still took his name. They had five children together, but during WWII, Ted fell in love overseas and married, leaving his former family behind. However, Grace stayed in the home and she and the children drank from crystal goblets, ate off of china and slumbered between the most expensive sheets. But why did Grace and her children continue to stay in the home rent free? This is where this story takes a scandalous turn! Some say that one of the children was actually fathered by Louis Hill. It was only after Hill passed, that Grace was (un)ceremoniously evicted and the Northland Lodge was sold. Since then, four generations of the new owner’s family have managed this lodge – carrying on its legacy of distinguished hospitality.
