CN Hotel still doing the same business it was 100 years ago

Ken Johnston
Editor

For about 100 years the Canadian Northern Hotel has been a landmark fixture on Rainy River’s Skyline.
The early history is a bit clouded, but it was thought to have been built in 1903. One account said it was built by Canadian Northern Railway while others say it was privately built and operated as it is today.
The railway story says that when Canadian Northern Railway was bought by Canadian National that the rail line sold off the hotel privately (around 1920) and that is how the hotel managed to retain the CN name.
In early issues of the Rainy River Gazette such as the August 15, 1913 Gazette there was a notice appearing announcing a change in proprietors. The new proprietors were W. Hows and N.J. Spedding. Rates were $1.50 per day and they offered “Fine large sample rooms, the best of food, choicest wines, liquors, cigars, bright clean and cheerful bedrooms. Steam heat throughout, together with electric light and phone.”
In the March 18, 1920 issue of the Rainy River Record Charles Desorcy was listed as the proprietor. He ran it until 1931 when Kate Desorcy took over.
William Popowich was next to own the hotel in 1946. He ran it until 1949 when J. M. Kostiuk took over.
Then it was Phil and Emma Lafond who partnered with Mr. Rivard. In 1953 the Lafonds bought out Rivard.
In 1965 Dan and Edna Genyk ran it until Rene and Dolores Boulet took over in 1969. When they took over the bar was still separated into three rooms. A men’s only beer parlour, a cocktail lounge and a ladies and escorts lounge allowed only the sale of beer in it. However in 1971 the liquor laws were relaxed a bit and they were allowed to renovate and open all three rooms up as one bar; The Diamond Willow Lounge.
They ran the hotel until the current owners, Brian and Linda Russell purchased it Oct. 22, 1990. “We were living in Whitehorse and were looking to come back here,” said Brian. They looked at businesses including the Clothes Closet and Macleods Hardware. On their last day in town they stopped by the CN for a beer and Rene Boulet told them they should buy the hotel. Not thinking much about it they took the information Boulet had given them on the business and went back to Whitehorse. It was not until a few weeks later when Boulet called Brian and asked him what he thought of the books that Brian dug it out and had a look.
It wasn’t much later that the couple decided to take the plunge and buy the CN.
That is when the work began. The next summer they changed the plumbing from galvanized steel to copper. Being an old building the work never ended. Rooms were renovated, a new rubber roof was put on, the kitchen was completely upgraded and now boasts the only char broiler in town. Most recently they had local woodworking enthusiast René Hogue head up the construction of a brand new bar. But that was not the end of their work. In recent weeks they have had the hotel office redone.
“We came here to semi-retire, but that did not work out,” said Brian.
Linda concurred saying, “Plan B is always in effect at the hotel.”
Business tends to be seasonal. When it is busy in Rainy River that is reflected in the bar. Both say they have enjoyed their time at the CN and especially enjoy watching the young people come and go.
Linda said the best thing was coming home to be around “Mom.”
Both have been active in the community playing host to the Chamber of Commerce, Lions Club and Snow Dusters as well as being members of several groups. They have also sold nevada tickets for Minor Hockey.
Both Brian and Linda are looking forward to visiting with many people that come home for the centennial, and like for the past 100 years the CN Hotel will likely be a popular spot to gather and do just that.