Submitted
The following article and pictures above were submitted by the Sylvan Lake and District Archives Society as part of a series celebrating the society’s 20 years of existence this year. The Archives Society is open to the public every Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 4 p.m. at its new location in the lower level of the town’s Municipal Government Building.
On April 17, 1917, Mr. and Mrs. James Dingwall and their two children moved to Sylvan Lake to start a Boarding House. They bought the Lakeview Hotel on 46 St., cultivated a large garden, prepared a large dining room and went into business.
On Jan. 21, 1921, the building burnt to the ground when a gasoline lamp exploded. According to the Red Deer Advocate, January 26, 1921: “The entire community deeply regret this disastrous catastrophe, as Mr. Dingwall had established an enviable reputation and his hospitality was known throughout Central Alberta.”
A new boarding house was built and operated by the Dingwalls for many years, providing accommodation for many workers and visitors in town. This building still stands today and is operated as the Hazzard County Bar and Grill.