The Townsite: Waterton Lakes National Park
THE TOWNSITE: WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK
H. A. deVeber
The Townsite in Waterton Lakes National Park is situated in a valley at the northwest end of the main Waterton Lake and this location has led to the centralization of the business and residential buildings into a compact block. Development has been extensive and all the normal needs of the visitor can now be supplied.
A brief list of the business houses and hotels follows:
Hotels -- The Prince of Wales Hotel - Licensed; The Waterton Lakes Hotel & Chalets - Licensed; The Ballinacor Hotel
Rooming Houses -- Kilmorey Lodge; Crandell Lodge; The Stanley Hotel; Carthew Lodge; Mrs. Carlson
Restaurants -- Frank's Cafe; Ballinacor Hotel Coffee Shop; Tourist Cafe
Garages -- The Park Transport Company; International Service Station; Central Garage; Waterton Motors
Stores -- Provisions and Meats: Delany's Grocery and Meat Market; M. O. Jacobs
Dry Goods, Blankets, China, Souvenirs, etc. -- Dill's General Store; Prince of Wales Hotel; Good Hunting China Shop; Waterton Pharmacy; Ballinacor Hotel; Akamina Shop
Swimming Pool -- The "Crystal Pool" (Indoor Swimming)
Drug Store -- The Waterton Pharmacy
Photo Developing and Prints -- The Akamina Shop; The Waterton Pharmacy
Barber Shop and Beauty Parlor -- The Ballinacor Hotel
Liquor Store -- The Alberta Liquor Control Board Store
Apart from the businesses listed above, there are about forty private cottages available for rent in the Townsite, two auto bungalow camps adjoining the Townsite and one at Cameron Lake and another near the Waterton River Bridge. Other facilities for the enjoyment of visitors include a motion picture theatre, a dance hall, post office, telephone exchange, a children's playground, four tennis courts, and a ball diamond. There is an 18 hole golf course, operated by the Department, about two miles from the town.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are responsible for law and order in the Park. Their local headquarters are at the end of the main business street.
An Information Bureau, under the direction of the National Parks Service, is located in the Park Administration Building and visitors are cordially invited to avail themselves of accurate information on the Park, road reports, road maps and descriptive literature which may be obtained at the Bureau.
LEASING OF LOTS: The Townsite is divided into business and residential zones and the rapid growth of late years has resulted in all business lots being already taken up. There are still a few good residential sites available and those interested should apply at the Administration Office for full particulars.
The main conditions governing the lease of lots in the Park are:
1. Occupation is restricted to the period from April 1st till October 31st each year.
2. First tenure of the lot is covered by an agreement for one year, during which period the lessee undertakes to erect a building according to plans approved by the Department and with a minimum value of $2000.00.
3. After the building has been completed to the satisfaction of the Department, a lease is issued for a period of 42 years, renewable at the expiry of that period and subject to payment of rental and other charges and proper observance of the Parks Regulations by the lessee. Currently rental is $10.00 per year for all lots except those on the lake shore, for which the rental is $15.00 per year.
4. Agreements are not transferrable but leases may be transferred with the consent of the Department.
