The Fort Garry Hotel is one of Canada’s remaining grand railway hotels, completed in 1913 and built to accommodate upper class railway passengers.

Constructed a block away from Canadian National Railways’ Union Station in Winnipeg, Manitoba, it was one of many hotels built by the railway company to encourage transcontinental travel.

The 13-storey hotel was constructed in French ‘chateau’ style and, being the last word in luxury, attracted many famous guests. King Geoge VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth stayed here during their 1939 royal tour of Canada.

 Actors Laurence Olivier and Charles Laughton stayed here while publicizing movies. Harry Belafonte, Louis Armstrong and Nelson Eddy were among the many musicians who played in the hotel’s imposing ballroom.

Manitoba is located in the traditional territories of the Cree, Dakota, Dene, Ojibway and Oji-Cree First Nations, as well as the Metis Nation, and we assume the illustrations on the men pay tribute to these indigenous tribes.

Manitoba was subjected to Prohibition, when the sale of alcohol was illegal and speakeasies and bootleggers flourished, from 1916 to 1921. Judging by the soft drinks on offer, we think this menu is dated in that period.

The Fort Garry went through changes of ownership over the years but remains a flourishing and historic hotel and is now part of Choice Hotels International Inc, an American multinational hospitality company based in Maryland.