The Colonial Hotel building stands out in views of New Westminster in the 1860s.
Although the business changed location over the years, "Messrs Greeley" were always prominent, well-connected owners in the town.
They were involved with most major functions and festive events, and their hotel with its dining room was usually front and centre.
In the first few days of July 1862 the community was awaiting with anticipation the opening of a special hotel feature.
A short announcement noted: "opening of the Colonial billiard saloon - this magnificent saloon will be opened on Thursday evening at 8 o'clock."
The "Colonial Hotel Billiard Saloon" appears to have been an amazing room unlike anything else in the early days of the very young, rough and ready capital city.
The establishment opened "in splendid style by a 'free night' including champagne and the free use of tables. - The scene presented in the main saloon was fraught with splendour and enjoyment - (where) quite a number of gentlemen availed themselves of the hospitality of the gentlemanly proprietors."
The billiard saloon was 27 feet by 70 feet with a ceiling height of 17 feet, and that ceiling had three large skylights to greatly enhance the daytime lighting of the room.
To furnish light at other times, the room was furnished with 15 crystal lamps, which would have burned brightly with their crystals embellishing and expanding the quality of the gaslight provided.
The focal points of such a room would have been the facilities for games as this saloon had "three first-class billiard tables, with Phelan's combination cushions, a roulette table, and everything to match." The term "Phelan" was well known in the world of such tables and refers to the way they were manufactured and finished to allow for superior action of the billiard balls.
An article describing the establishment also noted that next to the saloon was another large room that had folding doors that could be changed to allow for large or small parties, and there was even additional space for "a snug little shop suited for a retail business." There was also at the back "a complete set of wash rooms, closets, etc. etc."
New Westminster was gradually growing in physical stature to meet its capital status with the business owners obviously seeing potential for a profitable venue.
We learn that "in round figures" the room and its features "fitted up in the very best style" cost $6,000.
Remember that this was 1862 dollars - this is a very large number, and for the little Royal City on the banks of the Fraser, the Colonial Hotel Billiard Saloon was described as being "superior to anything on the British Pacific and (would) compare favourably with kindred establishments in California."
For a small town carved out of the forest only a few years previously, this was an amazing business right here on early Columbia Street.
