Fonds F0726 - Empire Hotel fonds

The Empire Hotel was built in 1906 by William J. Stokes and Mr. Lewis at 118-9th Avenue SE, Calgary, Alberta. By 1910 William was sole proprietor and Ernest B. Stokes was manager. In 1914 Ernest and Charles C. Stokes became proprietors of the adjoining Grand Central Hotel at 124-9th Avenue SE. The Grand Central had been built ca. 1902 with H.S. McLeod as proprietor. George A. Dunn took over Grand Central ca. 1910. In 1920 the Empire was gutted by fire and after repairs was amalgamated with the Grand Central which at the time was owned by the Calgary Brewing and Malting Co. Ltd. The amalgamated hotel was named the Empire and William Stokes appears to have taken over the proprietorship. George Dunn became proprietor in 1929, and a number of managers worked at the hotel over the following years. The hotel was torn down in 1972 to make way for the Calgary Convention Centre.