ROYAL CITY HOTEL

I was delighted to see the cleanup work on the Royal City Hotel. I remember it being built in 1954, using slip-form construction.

A wood form was built that fit on the wall, then concrete was poured in the form. When that cured, the wood form was moved to the next section of the wall. I always felt it was built like a bunker.

I saw it in 1954 from Highway 26 (7C), which was gravel then. In 1955 the walls were finished and the highway was paved. The highway had such a crown that everyone drove in the middle of the road unless they met an oncoming car.

When Sharon Chesterman and I talk, we often discuss the history of this area, and we think that this old building would make a great museum.

Perhaps a low pitch blue metal roof would look attractive. A deli, or ice cream shop or drive-in might be viable on a corner, and a museum on a different corner.

There was once a beauty shop in the building. The second floor could most likely be for storage.

Marilyn Dunsire Fakler

Royal City