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- In 1883 the Grand Hotel was erected on what is now (1970) PatFitzgerald's lot, with Mr. Cook as proprietor. Some time later, RobertAndrew 'Bob' Copeland and W. H. Fleming bought the hotel, the downpayment being a yoke of oxen. When this building was destroyed by fire,Bob Copeland built the Granite Hotel of granite stone, as the nameimplies, a larger and more imposing structure which has been assubstantial as its name suggests is 60 feet by 60 feet, with bedrooms,sample room, reading room, etc., etc, all arranged to meet the comfortand convenience of the commercial and traveling public. Robert Andrew Copeland, a young man of Irish decent, came from Ontario in1882 and put in a few years on a homestead with his parents and familybefore entering the hotel business. He married Belle McDonell, one ofthe daughters another pioneer, James McDonell. Mr. Copeland, we aretold, was of a cheerful disposition, and made friends of everyone hemet. He ran a good house, and never turned anyone away. He took part inevery activity for the growth and development of the town, and wasgenerous to every worthy and charitable project. He was indeed a leadingcitizen. Hotel business was apparently booming at that time, for an EnglishSyndicate built a fine brick building over the ashes of the old 'Grand'to be known as the King's Hotel. When business declined, Mr. PhilipTemple bought the building and converted it into an apartment block. Thestructure was destroyed by fire in 1926. In 1905, Mr. Copeland sold the Granite Hotel to David Black, and it hasbeen under the management of either the Copeland or Black families forsome seventy years. Robert Andrew Copeland was a Conservative inPolitics. One of the first Polo Clubs in Western Canada was organized at Grenfell.This is a sport that calls for good horses and god horsemanship. Some ofthe players who are best remembered were: R. F. Gwynne, Billie Belson,Dan McEwen and Robert Copeland. These accounts are stated in the book 'Grit and Growth, the Story ofGrenfell', by Annie I. Yule, 1970 and 1980 editions. Published by theGrenfell Historical Committee, 1970 and 1980 respectfully.
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