Vilna Pool Hall: a great road trip stop

By Brandie Majeau

Have you taken time this summer to stop by the Vilna Pool Hall and Barbershop?

The Vilna Pool Hall and Barbershop, a remarkable representation of Alberta’s history,

dates back to 1921 and stands as a testament to the region’s early twentieth-century

architecture. Located on Vilna’s Historic Main Street, it is Alberta’s oldest operating pool

hall and barbershop, designated as a Provincial Historic Resource. This distinctive

establishment features an impressive collection of four turn-of-the-century pool tables:

two 12-foot Brunswick Balke Collender snooker tables and two 8-foot Samuel May

billiard tables, offering visitors a glimpse into the recreational past of the community.

Originally built as a two-story pool and dance hall by Steve Pawluk, the venue

quickly became a local gathering spot. However, following the challenges of prohibition,

it saw its share of difficulties, including damage from fights and, ultimately, a fire.

Undeterred by this setback, Pawluk constructed a new pool hall in the same year, which

still stands today. In the decades that followed, it changed hands several times, serving

the community in various capacities.

Throughout its history, the Vilna Pool Hall has retained much of its original charm.

Visitors can marvel at authentic elements such as the original cues, balls, and a Booker

coal heater, along with benches, counters, and a barber’s chair that harken back to a

different era. The building itself is an excellent representation of commercial boomtown

architecture, reflecting the style used for small businesses in rural western communities.

The pool hall was more than just a recreational space; it served as a critical

social hub for the surrounding agricultural district. From 1920 until 1996, it provided

essential services, including a barbershop and even a confectionary store until the

1960s, making it a central fixture in the lives of local residents.

Today, the Vilna Pool Hall and Barbershop stands as the oldest building in town,

inviting visitors to step back in time and experience the unique heritage of this charming

establishment. With its rich history and enduring legacy, it continues to be a symbol of

community and resilience in the heart of Alberta. The back rooms are a remarkable

example of time travel, serving as a living museum for guests to feel the heart of an era

that once was.

The Vilna Pool Hall and Barbershop has had a busy summer and was excited to

welcome an actual barber into the building. When he arrived, charmingly dubbed Josh

the Barber, he was cutting hair on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, but with the birth

of his new baby, Josh is currently working on Saturdays. He will expand his hours as

family commitments allow. Josh the Barber has been an amazing addition to keep the

historical barbershop alive and flourishing.

To contact someone for further information on the Vilna Pool Hall and

Barbershop, please contact the Village of Vilna office.