by Elmer Prather, guest blogger
This is the 28th Cobble Hill puzzle I have had the pleasure of putting together. It is a 1000 piece puzzle titled Prince of Wales Hotel by Walter Campbell.
When I spend this much time putting a puzzle together, I have to have a connection with the image in the puzzle. The attraction I have with this puzzle is two fold. The first is that I have visited, but did not stay overnight at the Prince of Wales Hotel while touring Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario, Canada. Niagara-on-the-Lake is located approximately 15 miles North of Niagara Falls and is home to Niagara Apothecary, the oldest apothecary in Canada.
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| Prince of Wales Hotel 1000 piece puzzle by artist Walter Campbell. Assembled by Elmer Prather. |
The hotel went by several names before renaming it to the Prince of Wales Hotel, after a visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York who stayed at the hotel in 1901. And in 1973, the hotel was graced by Queen Elizabeth II who stayed there during her visit to the area. It still has flowers hanging off the front and still offers horse and buggy rides to hotel guests like the puzzle depicts. It is a beautiful old hotel that was built in 1864.
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| People enjoying dining under the flower baskets and the "Established 1864" signage. |
The second connection I have with the puzzle is that it reminds me of the Delaware Hotel in Leadville, Colorado. I have visited Leadville on several occasions and have stayed in the hotel once. It is a three story building built in 1886. It has a very interesting history and has hosted many famous people. Some of them are the unsinkable Molly Brown, one of the few Titanic survivors, Doc Holliday and Wyatt Earp after their gun battle with Billy Clanton and his gang at the O K Corral in Tombstone, Arizona in 1881, Hudini, Billy the Kid, and Butch Cassidy just to name a few. As a side note, Doc Holliday is from my home state, Georgia. He was a dentist in Griffin, Georgia and after he contracted tuberculosis moved out West for his health.
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| The historic Delaware Hotel in Leadville, CO. |
The Delaware Hotel has a similar style architecture as the Prince of Wales Hotel. When I saw the puzzle, I immediately thought about the Delaware Hotel. Leadville is known as the highest elevated incorporated city in America. I can tell you that lugging suitcases up three flights of stairs in that high elevation will make a traveler huff and puff before they reach their room.
Last bit of history, Leadville was also the home of David May who opened a mercantile store in Leadville named Mays Mercantile. After several consolidations and mergers the May’s store successor is known as Macy’s department stores. Leadville was a rough and tumble town during this time. It was filled with gold and silver miners who were looking for their next strike. If you are inspired to visit this town, it is located 100 miles South West of Denver, Colorado and 52 miles South of Vail Ski Resort in Colorado.
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| Prince of Wales Hotel 1000 piece by artist Walter Campbell |
Available at your local retailer or favourite online store.
On the USA and Canada Cobble Hill website, search item code: 80290
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They are beautiful hotels. I didn't know you had traveled to these places. I am sure it brings back sweet memories for you. Love it, and you.
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