Are you just about ready to say goodbye to city life and live like some sort of Badlands version of the Schitts? Look no further than this iconic saloon and hotel located just a short drive away from Drumheller. It’s got a pretty relevant name too- say hello to the Last Chance Saloon and Rosedeer Hotel.
A relic from a time gone by, the saloon is the last business operating in Wayne, which was a bustling coal-mining town during the start of the 20th century. Things didn’t last long though, as the coal company went bankrupt in 1934. After that, Wayne was pretty much casting the town into the dustbin of history. Don’t worry though- current residents seem to have a sense of humour about it.
Maybe that’s because the saloon has managed to survive even as the town around it faded away. It was actually the hotel that was built first, and during its heyday in the late 20s, it was seeing upwards of 60 workers staying there at a time. Naturally, these miners needed a place to eat and drink, so a bar was added as well. Rumour has it the miners went there to fight almost as much as they went there to drink, but luckily, things have calmed down a little over the past 98ish years.
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In the modern day, the hotel now has a mere 7 rooms, which we’re sure means much more spacious accommodations for guests. But, we also feel an overwhelming desire to comment on the name and location. The Rosedeer Hotel? Which sits inside the Rosebud River Valley? Tell us that doesn’t scream Schitt’s Creek vibes to you. Now, to find some rich executive and convince them to buy it for us, just for laughs.
Of course, the history here is anything but a joke, even over the past few years. As a destination spot for road trips or weekend getaways, the property is often bustling in the summer months. In fact, the area has played host to a number of movie productions, antique TV shows, and even music fests attracting hundreds of people. We can’t deny that we’re thinking about making a little day trip ourselves, now that we’ve been reminded about it.
To deal with these changes, a couple of other amenities have been added. Nowadays, the property features a camping area and parking for RVs, just in case you end up booking a family reunion or something like that when restrictions are lifted. Looking for some summer fun too? Apparently, the nearby frisbee golf course is one of the most stunning in Canada. And don’t get us started on the back 9 at the actual Drumheller golf course!
Which has us wondering about changing the old saying of “If you build it, they will come”. With the Last Chance Saloon it’s more like “if you maintain it, they will come”, and we like the sound of that even more. Embrace your new life as the last hurrah of a non-functional ghost town, and cast off the shackles of the modern world!
To check out the listing for the Last Chance Saloon, which is priced at $925,000, just click this link!
