Bronson’s West End Hotel Colonial Bangalore, 1900 Postcard
A 1900 photo postcard of Bronson’s West End Hotel in colonial Bangalore (Bengaluru). Opened in 1887 by Mrs Bronson, an affable British woman, initially as a ten-bed boarding house. Starting with a one-storey building on Race Course Road, at the ‘West End’ of Bangalore Cantonment. Apparently, from where the hotel got its name. Before long, the inn bustled with customers and regulars.
However, it soon outgrew and expanded to a full-fledged hotel in Bangalore. To accommodate all, a second and a third building were acquired and added in due course. Nevertheless, there was an ownership change when Spencer’s bought over the Bronson’s West End in 1912. Spencer’s had a significant role in the business interests both in Madras (Chennai) and Bangalore during the British era.
Mainly in departmental stores, hotels, and catering business. They left a significant mark, even after India attained independence, particularly in Madras. The hotel was subsequently re-christened as the West End Hotel. The new establishment offered fine dining for the officers and ladies of Bangalore’s upper class. At present, the 23-acre property with its 117 rooms is run by the Taj Hotel group as the Taj West End.
Did you know – one of the most famous patrons of the hotel was Sir Winston Churchill, who dined at the West End when he came to India as a cigar-smoking war journalist.
Past posts – M. Suriyamoorthy Charcoal Drawing On Paper 1964 (#18)., Fort St George Northern View Madras, 1872 Photo., Arrival Of The New Viceroy Lord Mountbatten In Delhi, 1947 Print., Nilgiri Railway, Ooty Toy Train Locomotive’s Blueprint 1890.
