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A Rare Glimpse Inside Life in a Metis Hotel – The Lobby of the Boule Rock

Black and white photograph of the interior of the vast lobby of the Boule Rock Hotel. Entirely made of wood, the lobby is bright and tidy. In the center of the space, a carpet covers the wooden floor and we can see a portion of the fireplace mantle made of field stones. Rattan armchairs and tables are distributed throughout the room. Bouquets of flowers are also found on most of the tables and on the floor. Two men and one woman are also seen. The woman is sitting at a desk and seems to be writing a letter. One of the men is sitting at a console table and appears to be reading. The last man sits in an armchair by the fireplace reading his newspaper.

Photograph

Boule Rock Hotel – Interior View, 1926

Canadian National Railways

Library and Archives Canada

The Boule Rock Hotel was one of the largest and most complete in the village. Located on Beach Road, the hotel was a popular destination for travelers. It also welcomed locals for meals and entertainments. One of its special features was an outdoor salt-water swimming pool, complete with diving board and viewing platform, a favourite venue for youth to show off their athletic prowess.

This photograph was taken for Canadian National Railways (CNR) in 1926. It shows the main sitting room and a handful of the hotel’s clients reading and writing. The CNR had a large publicity department whose mandate was to fill the passenger cars of the government railway. Because Metis Beach was on the CNR line it sometimes got coverage in the railway’s travel brochures and promotional campaigns. The “Metis Special” brought travelers from Montreal and used the branch line of the Canada and Gulf Terminal Railway to bring passengers to the Metis station.

The furniture is recognizable to locals because much of it is still in use. When the Boule Rock Hotel was about to be torn down in 1977, the owners held an auction sale where its vast inventory of furniture was sold to hundreds of acquisitive bidders. Many a Metis home has simple and sturdy items rescued from the Boule Rock, acquired at a bargain price decades ago.