Along the E&N: A Journey Back to the Historic Hotels of Vancouver Island

by Glen A Mofford

In 1886, Vancouver Island’s E&N rail service was established to carry coal to smelters and ships, and the towns in the railway’s path prospered as the tracks expanded and passenger travel flourished. Along the E&N celebrates the historic and still-surviving hotels and roadhouses that sprung up near the E&N. Within this carefully researched historical narrative, you’ll find stories of the Halfway House in the Esquimalt District, the murder and suicide at the Mt Sicker Hotel, and the iconic Quinsam Hotel in Campbell River, burned down in 2017. This book chronicles the history of more than thirty hotels―many long gone, destroyed by fire, or simply demolished, like the Lorne Hotel in Comox, and others that have been remodelled into modern-day neighbourhood pubs―such as the Rod & Gun in Parksville and the Waverley Hotel in Cumberland. Peppered with the fascinating stories of patrons and proprietors alike, Along the E&N resonates with the haunting echoes of the train’s iconic whistle.

Genres: History, Canada

272 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2019

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glen Mofford’s Along the E&N is delightful and engaging book. It focusses on the E&L rail line and the various hotels that were found along the route. Mofford explains how the railway was a major factor in opening up the east side of Vancouver Island during in the latter part of the 19C and into the mid 20C. The book is not meant to be a deep dive into history. Rather, Mofford takes the reader on a journey into the lives and eccentricities of many of Vancouver Island’s delightfully quirky pioneer entrepreneurs.

Mofford’s writing style is engaging and friendly, just like I imagine the patrons of the various pubs and watering holes that accompanied the hotels were. Mofford is careful to supply footnotes, a thorough bibliography and an index. What I thoroughly enjoyed were the numerous photographs, postcard images - many from Mofford’s own extensive collection - and illustrations.

For anyone who wants to learn more about the fascinating history of the railroad on Vancouver Island or who want to sen some time learning about the early grand dames of hotels this the book for you.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book looks at many of the hotels that could be found along the E&N Railway, which covered most of Vancouver Island and was at it's busiest in the 1890s. Mofford chronicles the existence of many of the hotels, noting that most of the wood buildings burnt down, but also showing how important they were for the local communities, while also demonstrating a unique look at life in Vancouver Island. Definitely worth reading for people looking to know about the history of the Island.

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a great pleasure to read the stories of the hotels and their owners on Vancouver Island. It not only gives a good look into the history of British / Canadian settlement on Vancouver Island, but it also gives a glimpse into what life was like for some of the people living on or moving to the island in 19th and 20th century. A fascinating read.