The Last Chance Saloon in Wayne is yet again receiving worldwide coverage with an article published in a German weekly news magazine two weeks ago.
“The history of the place is the start of it all,” says saloon and Rosedeer Hotel owner Fred Dayman, who has had journalists from all over the world venture over Wayne’s 11 bridges for a taste of the west and even better tasting food at his establishment.
Published in Spiegel on February 14, the author of 'Somewhere in Nowhere' describes, in rough translation, the bar as if he just stepped out of a time machine to the old frontier. “Should he not receive me with open arms? Instead, Fred Dayman blocked the corridor to the saloon with his arms folded, staring at me... One has told me that the .45 holes in the ceiling were for his customers who did not want to pay.”
“My conclusion after the first day: For tourists, one cannot bend in the Badlands. Everyone wants to go to Banff, Jasper and the world famous national parks in the province. However, the Badlands in the southeast corner of Alberta - of widespread undulating plains to the horizon, this thrifty landscape with its inside cut canyons and coulees, dry river beds that break suddenly into a hole in the world of a car driver - is even for Canadians considered off the beaten track.”
Dayman believes certain European countries are sucked up in the culture of wild west movies.
“They are really connected to the west, the Germans host reenactments which have become a part of their culture. They love the west, western heritage, and western things,” says Dayman.
“The word we get lots of times is that you don’t find a place like this anymore.”
Foreign visitors aren’t all that scarce in Wayne, population then: 2490, now: 27.
“I think that’s one thing we’ve always been good at is that people feel welcome from all over the world. We welcome the world.”
The Last Chance Saloon is still up for sale, with potential buyers visiting but no sale yet. “I still got a job in the meantime,” laughs Dayman, adding he’ll be sure to sell to someone who’ll keep the heritage of the historic building alive.
The Last Chance Saloon is currently listed for Sale with Bob Sheddy, Broker / Owner of Century 21 PowerRealty.ca and the listing can be found at www.century21.ca/100533139.
