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By Al Sholund
Port Moody resident and Freedom of the City honouree |
From the December 2000 Focus Newsletter
 The Port Moody Arms Hotel in the 1970s. Now called Jakes Crossing, the hotel started out as the Tourist Hotel in 1908.
In 1945 Nick Alvero bought the hotel. Nick as well as being very popular, worked at the bar and knew all of his patrons. He supported all community causes and was one of Kiwanis first Port Moody members. For years at Christmas he rented the Recreation Hall on Kyle Street and invited all single men to a free turkey dinner. In 1960 the hotel was closed after 52 years of service.
Meanwhile when the New Burrard Hotel on St. Johns Street came up for sale in 1950 it was bought by Nick's brothers John and Frank. In 1960 when the liquor laws were changed to allow the sale of liquor and to allow women and men to partake in the same room John renovated the hotel. Following British pub pictures he changed the exterior, added a separate small liquor lounge, a fine dining room and a cafe. Another brother, Meiko came to operate the new lounge. He added a touch of pub authenticity by installing a shelf bearing old pewter mugs inscribed with the names of early city residents and Council Members. With the renovations complete the Alveros renamed their hotel the Port Arms. All of their operations were very successful until finally in 1980 after 30 years of service the Alveros sold the business.
There have been a number of owners since 1980. About 3 years ago there were renovations which included a band stage and a large area for dancing. A number of historic photographs dating back to 1886 adorn the walls. The hotel was renamed Jakes Crossing.
Over the years the hotel staff have reported strange phenomena-noises, lights, etc. Three years ago a "ghost" photographer from Seattle took photos in the hotel looking for evidence of this phenomena. There have been at least 2 séances in the hotel basement by psychic societies. During a filming in the hotel the film crew were held up 2 days by an unexplained failure of their own electrical system.
Just as the Tourist was winding down, another hotel was being built at the east end of St. Johns Street by Leon Perry. The Leon was a fine hotel with conference rooms and a large dance hall in the basement. On the main floor there was a large beer parlour, a café and a dining room. Leon believed in fine dining and hired a maitre d' from the Hotel Vancouver to set up his operation, which was very successful. Leon hosted a number of large conventions and his holiday dances with live bands were always a sell-out.
When Leon passed away the new owners converted the dance hall into a cabaret with disc jockeys. The Leon was the first hotel in the area to have "exotic" dancing. The Leon was destroyed in a disastrous fire in 1990.
The most recent hotel was built in 1971, on B.C.'s 100th anniversary of joining Canada and was to be called the Centennial. The hotel is unique because it was built cooperatively by a number of building trades who were given shares depending on their participation. On completion one of the partners bought all the shares and changed the name to the Barnet Motor Inn.
A popular feature at the Barnet was the Saturday afternoon jam/dance sessions. One of the most favourite local bands featured six of the Swanson family plus Dennis Hartley. Some of their recordings were made in the Barnet under the "Swanson Sound" label.
The Barnet has had a number of owners including Bob Williams, the high profile Minister in the Barrett government.
Al Sholund, October 2000 |
