The story of the Trump family’s connection to Canada begins in the late 1800s when Friedrich Trump, Donald Trump’s grandfather, immigrated to the country. Friedrich Trump built a successful business, the Arctic Restaurant & Hotel, in Bennett, British Columbia, catering to Americans and Canadians heading to the goldfields in the Yukon. The restaurant served food and drinks, and also offered private suites for ladies and a unique way for patrons to pay for services by weighing gold. However, as gold strikes declined and authorities cracked down on prostitution and gambling, Friedrich Trump sold the business and returned to Germany before eventually settling in New York City.
The Arctic Restaurant & Hotel’s facade was replicated at the Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site in British Columbia in 2017. The replica serves as a reminder of the origins of the Trump family’s wealth in Canada. Despite Friedrich Trump’s success in the Yukon, his grandson Donald Trump has since made headlines for his contentious relationship with Canada, including trade disputes and threats of annexation. This juxtaposition has led some, like 90-year-old Yukoner Pat Ellis, to question Donald Trump’s lack of gratitude towards the country where his family’s fortune began.
Friedrich Trump’s business ventures in Canada were financially successful, allowing him to lay the foundation for the future Trump empire. After Friedrich’s death, his son, Fred Trump, used the inherited real estate to invest and build wealth. This wealth was eventually passed down to Donald Trump, who used loans from his father to develop his own global brand of hotels and towers. The distinctive Trump branding, with its bold lettering, evokes the legacy of the Trump family’s beginnings in Canada and their entrepreneurial spirit that continues to this day.
The Arctic Restaurant & Hotel in Bennett, British Columbia, became a popular spot for those traveling to the goldfields, attracting both single men and women, as well as law enforcement officers and other visitors. Despite its success, Friedrich Trump eventually sold the business and moved back to the United States with his family. The rise and fall of the Arctic Restaurant & Hotel serves as a microcosm of the larger story of the Trump family’s journey from humble beginnings in Canada to achieving great success in the business world.
The replica of the Arctic Restaurant & Hotel at the Chilkoot Trail National Historic Site is a physical reminder of the historical ties between the Trump family and Canada. The structure, along with other false-fronted buildings in Bennett, reflects the pioneering spirit of the early gold rush era and the entrepreneurial endeavors that shaped the region. The significance of this historical site has not been lost on those who appreciate the role that Friedrich Trump and his business played in laying the groundwork for the future success of the Trump family. As the story of the Trump family’s Canadian origins continues to be uncovered, it serves as a fascinating footnote to the larger narrative of American business success and the influence of immigration and entrepreneurship on shaping the fortunes of future generations.
