Introduction
Kamloops attracts many visitors across the globe. People from far and wide travel to Kamloops to explore the Mexican Spanish-style cultural heritage. It is believed that Kamloops is the perfect destination to relax and understand its rich heritage. What can be better than capturing beauty with pictures? A picture speaks a thousand words. Through this project, I received a wonderful opportunity to find a lens to see through the preservation of the culture of Kamloops.
The Plaza Hotel
A landmark hotel in British Columbia’s interior, The Plaza Hotel was built to promote Kamloops during the 1920s as a tourist destination. Accordingly, it was considered the finest Hotel. This hotel proved to be very popular with travelers by motor car and its expansion with 44 rooms led to its growth, which makes it one of the major hotels in the downtown area to this day. Additionally, The Plaza Hotel is known for its design by English architect Brown who had designed Kamloops Lodge 44 of the benevolent order of the Elks in the same style.
It also demonstrates the quality of materials used to build it at that time and the skill and expertise of local Builders and Craftsmen.
The exterior of the building is covered with rock-dash stucco, pantile roofs, and wrought-iron work. Its typical features include the Spanish colonial revival style with round arches on the ground floor and the upper level with French doors.
The Hotel’s location in the heart of Kamloops provides easy access to all the city has to offer including the interior saving Center Casino art galleries, museums, libraries, theaters, Riverside Park, Exhibition Park and even the parades that happen on Victoria Street.
RECOMMENDATION
I believe it is a must visit place on a traveler’s checklist to experience the glory of the city. Its prime location helps in viewing the different areas with much ease.
The Courthouse Gallery
My first favorite stop on this cultural exploration was the Courthouse gallery. I resonate with the essence of art which inclined me to further enrich my experience in connecting with it. The Gallery speaks volumes about the history of the communities inhabited by Kamloops since its beginning. This site encourages and inspires local artists to present their work, which is traded by the supporters of the courthouse gallery. The fusion of different forms of art displayed here is spectacular. I sensed liberation in the amalgamated artwork. Not only this, but the building also represents the provincial judicial system that embodies Justice and Authority through its imposing design.
The aesthetic value of the courthouse gallery is beyond its structure. It symbolizes prosperity and growth. Constructed during the British reign period, the courthouse has a grand central entry with prominent parapet gables. Each brick used by the workers signifies their strength, potential, and passion for their work. The location of this building caught my attention as one can easily Experience Saturday interviews of the city and the Thompson River. Typically Edwardian Baroque Style structure of the building enhances its architecture.
RECOMMENDATION
I strongly recommend the visit to this place to know the history through the art structure of the building and the aura surrounding it.
The Inland Cigar Factory
My next stop was the significant inland cigar Factory symbolizing the agricultural history of Kamloops. A vernacular structural example of the Victorian era, Inland cigar Factory reminds us of the city’s first commercial setup. The Cuban connection in preparing and rolling the cigar has maintained authenticity in this business. The walls of the factory are made of locally pressed red brick, denoting its rooted foundation.
The factory produced renowned cigars of all time in Kamloops, such as Havana tobacco known as Pride of Kamloops as well as some mixed-tobacco varieties such as Nature’s Beauties, La Flor de Cabinet, and Stags.
Model Bakery took over the factory in 1913. The cigars were manufactured in Victoria by that time. To sustain the business, the company published the following poetry in a local paper.
In old Quebec
“If men in Kamloops will but try
To give home goods the show
We might keep here an industry
Yes, even make it grow.
If we don’t get your best support,
Cigar men in Kamloops
Will soon be memories of the past,
Be down in the Pea Soups.
They’ll have to travel eastward
To get a job by Hec.
To make cigars for Kamloops folks
Way back in old Quebec.”
Master Duke, the Kamloops Club, and the ironically titled Terminus were the last brands created by the company during their last expansion. It is currently the home of Venture Kamloops, but a plaque on the building reminds passersby of what it once was.
https://infotel.ca/newsitem/how-kamloops-once-booming-cigar-industry-went-up-in-smoke/it65384 https://www.historicplaces.ca/en/home-accueil.aspx
