The History of Williams Lake's own Laughing Loon Pub and Restaurant

The History of The Laughing Loon

The idea of the Laughing Loon began in 1986 as a concept to create a friendly, cozy establishment with an abundance of character and charm. The design is reminiscent of the Canadian architecture and heritage of the turn of the century.

The design and construction of the pub incorporates many authentic features recovered from historic building around the country.

•    Square-cut Granite: 80,000 pounds saved from the demolition site in
      Vancouver now a big part of the exterior.

•     Five solid granite stair treads, 1400 pounds a piece, came from an
     historic government building in New Westminster

•     Solid Mahogany paneled doors throughour the pub came from an historic
      an historic courthouse building in Portland, Oregon.

•     Penny Weigh Scale sits to the right of the bar and was manufactured in
     New York in 1901.

•     Solid Brass cash register comes from an old saloon in the Northwest
     Territories.

The antique Sports and Trophy case immortalizes the champions and heroes of yesterday. The collectibles and memorabilia throughout the pub have been carefully gathered over the last few years and provide many interesting points of conversation.

The Laughing Loon was created by Williams Lake brothers Fred and Rick Hamel. Who started as business partners in an excavation business and in 1976, phased into the real estate development business, “mostly residential” but always had the idea for a pub on the present site. Owning the property since 1973, the construction of the Pub began on July 1988 and was completed with a Grand Opening February 1, 1989.

The Laughing Loon was recognized by the Neighbourhood Pub Owners’ Association of British Columbia, having a two page write up in the ‘Publication’, Fall 1996.

The Cariboo is rich in history and although much has been lost over the years, we have attempted to re-create a piece of this wonderful era. The design and construction of the pub incorporates many authentic features recovered from historic building around the country.’

-Publican, Fall 1996.

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