This year’s excavation of Coaticook’s Queen Hotel wraps up

Record staff

First, we are now able to determine the exact size of the original building that constituted the main body of the hotel. Also, prior to the excavation, we had very little information about the south building, but during the two weeks of excavation, the boundaries of this building were determined. On the other hand, the fire that razed the Hotel in 1897 did not reach, or barely reached the end of the south building.

The archaeologists found the extension of the burnt-out floor of the first building and several interesting objects were found, including the head of an oil lamp, an inkstand, a cast iron plate with beautiful reliefs that resembled a stove or kettle cover, several bottle shards, and bits of ceramic. The most remarkable discovery is nearly complete set of barber equipment that includes 6 razors, two hand clippers, and two pairs of different sized scissors. It is worth remembering that many hotels had a barber shop within their walls. Men rarely shaved at home because of the lack of hot water. They went to the barbershops where most of them had their own mug and shaving brush. This discovery allows us to learn more about the common history of Coaticook life.

It is likely that a new phase of excavation will take place in 2018. The northern building contains many elements and it is here that the fire seems to have originated. Several elements of Hotel remain to be clarified: water, sewer, electricity, the location of the kitchen and much more. These new excavations could reveal a new page of history of the City of Coaticook!