Peek inside Revelstoke’s historic McCarty House

First published in the June issue of the free Revelstoke Mountaineer Magazine — distributed all around Revelstoke.

One of the most prominent heritage homes in Revelstoke is once again open to the public.

The McCarty House — now the McCarty House Inn — is located at 400 Mackenzie Avenue, kitty corner to the Main Street Cafe.

Bob and Terry Deyl recently purchased the home and have converted the residence into the McCarty House Bed & Breakfast. Terry, who grew up in Revelstoke, moved back for semi-retirement and to be closer to friends and family here.

Bob and Terry Deyl own McCarty house. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

The McCarty House is named after Revelstoke’s first mayor, Frank McCarty. The Wisconsin-born businessman arrived during CP Rail construction and went on to operate many businesses in Revelstoke. He ran a boarding house, a butcher shop, a cold storage business, and had interests in mining companies and a steamboat company that operated the S.S. Revelstoke paddlewheeler.

McCarty was elected Mayor of Revelstoke in 1899 and he hired builder John Kernaghan to build his house in 1900.

The home is built in the Western Canadian Queen Anne style, popular during the prosperous period in B.C., when architects from England, eastern Canada and the U.S. were called on to design homes for the new resource barons.

The luxe interior of the historic McCarty house in Revelstoke. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

The building’s characteristic elements include asymmetrical design, a steeply-pitched hip roof, thick local stone foundations and decorative shingle work on the gables.

The Deyls say this connection to history was really important to their vision of a B&B.

“We want to bring back the heritage and history,” said Terry.

In addition to upgrades, including new bathrooms, they’ve brought in lots of antique furniture to augment the house’s historic vibe.

They worked with Revelstoke Museum & Archives curator Cathy English, who shared information on the home’s history and helped them create artwork through the house that reflected its story. They have images of the mayor, pictures of his businesses, and works of art from local artists.

Rich colours and antique furniture accent the historic McCarty House. Photo: Aaron Orlando/Revelstoke Mountaineer

The Deyls have learned of the home’s many incarnations since McCarty first inhabited it. It has served as a private residence, a boarding home, staff accommodation, and was recently the gift store Heather Hut Boutique.

The McCarty House is an impressive building with plenty more potential for future development. The unfinished basement has 10-foot ceilings held up by amazing Douglas fir beams, and the massive attic is unfinished.

Find the McCarty House Inn online at mccartyhouseinn.com.