Mofford writes about hotels built during the 1800s and early 1900s in BC’s Southern Interior. These hotels followed the discovery of natural resources or the development of the railway. Often the hub of town life, the buildings that remain are considered historical landmarks. This book supports research on the social and economic history of BC. The author describes the daily lives and routines of people who operated or frequented these hotels, making historical comparisons between then and now possible. Historical photographs further enhance readers’ understanding of Canada’s Victorian era. This author also describes the contributions of women and minority groups to the development of the hospitality industry in BC. The author’s observation that many of these hotels suffered with the arrival of the automobile makes the history of these hotels a possible case study on the impact of industrialization on a community.

Other End Matter: Endnotes
Images: b&w photographs
Bibliography: Yes
Index: No

Source: Books BC - BC Books for Schools

Glen A. Mofford is the author of Aqua Vitae (2016) and Along the E&N (2019). A graduate of Simon Fraser University, he was a historian and a writer with a passion for sharing the social history of BC's hotels and their drinking establishments, which he wrote about for more than ten years. He passed away in February 2022.

Glen A. Mofford's profile page

Greg Nesteroff is the former editor of the Nelson Star, former news director of the Vista Radio stations in the West Kootenay, and the co-author of Lost Kootenays: A History in Photographs. He runs "The Kütne Reader," a blog about local history.

Greg Nesteroff's profile page

"Mofford’s unexpectedly final book leaves behind a remarkable legacy of provincial history, that will be surely enjoyed here for years to come. But Room at the Inn is also so deftly told, populated with the vivid true-life characters, places and events that make up that story, it surely will also fascinate and delight readers far away from British Columbia as well.”
—Aaron Chapman, bestselling author of Liquor, Lust and the Law and Live at the Commodore

"An essential guidebook to the history of grand old hotels in southern interior British Columbia. Room at the Inn is a treasure trove of information that most certainly should accompany anyone ready to hit the road and embark on their own historical explorations of Canada’s western-most province."
—Daniel Marshall, author of Claiming the Land: British Columbia and the Making of a New El Dorado

“Reading the late Glen Mofford’s book is like attending a reunion of old friends, and a reminder of a time when people met face to face in their communities rather than virtually on the internet.”
—Michael Kluckner, author of Vanishing British Columbia

“Glen Mofford finds misdeeds and murder, success and disappointment as he profiles the men and women who operated historic hotels throughout the southern interior. Room at the Inn sifts through the ashes of hotels long ago destroyed by fire, but still fondly remembered in local memory.”
—Wayne Norton, author of Fernie at War and Beyond the Coal Dust

“In Room at the Inn, Mr. Mofford rather ingeniously takes us on an entertaining and informative trip across the southern interior British Columbia of a century ago by way of the popular hotels of the day. If you enjoy time travel, this is a most pleasant way to go.”
—Jim Cameron, author of Cranbrook: Then and Now - Volumes One and Two

“Glen Mofford brings a unique insight to the history of British Columbia, weaving together fascinating stories of the famous hotels and intrepid entrepreneurs who built them in the 1890s and early 1900s. Room at the Inn is an enjoyable stroll through early BC. Mr. Mofford, you will be missed.”
—Terry Gainer, author of When Trains Ruled the Kootenays and When Trains Ruled the Rockies

“Glen Mofford had a passion about BC Hotels and dug up much information that would have been lost forever without his expertise. His books are indeed a source of history.”
—Tom Lymbery, owner/operator of historic Gray Creek Store and author of Toms Gray Creek, Vols. I and II

“Arson and accidents, banquets and beer parlours. Brimming with anecdotes and tales of colourful personalities, Room at the Inn is an enjoyable read and a great resource for students of the province’s social history. “
—Rosemary Neering, author of A Traveller’s Guide to Historic British Columbia