Cahoon Hotel
The Cahoon Hotel has stood as a landmark for the town of Cardston. Being one of the first buildings to be seen when entering the town from the north. The necessity for a new hotel became apparent when the Kearl Hotel was destroyed by fire in 1903. J.C Cahoon, an early pioneer and an excellent carpenter, teamed up with S.S Newton (mason, brick-layer, and architect) to construct this new building. They began construction on the northeast section of the hotel. Stone for the lower level was obtained from the local stone quarry. The brick came from the Turner brickyard, located about 2 km north of the present Agridome. On March 22, 1906, J.C Cahoon applied for a hotel license. The hotel has 50 rooms, housed a Bank and 7 offices. It was open for business to offer accommodations to the travelling public in 1906
For 30 years it housed the Union and Royal Bank as well as the Bureau of Reclamation office. H.A. Willis was the first manager of the Cahoon Hotel. Throughout the years Owen S. Brown, Gerald Brown, Aubrey Earl and William Bennett served in this capacity. William Burton was the dependable night man.
In 1922, Merlin D. Cahoon, son of J.C Cahoon purchased the hotel from his father. He and his wife Gladys managed it for 23 years, maintaining its originality. In 1915 Charlie Cheeseman opened the Black and White Barber Shop on the ground floor on the north east corner of the building and operated until February 1954.
In 1919, Dr. Preston W. Richman, Dentist, opened his practice on the second floor of the Cahoon Hotel. After 54 years in business at the same location he retired in December of 1973.