Barry Coulter
The Cranbrook History Centre was one among several local businesses and institutions getting the Google treatment last week.
Jody Wall, of Views4Business.com, was in the area photographing the interiors of the businesses for Google Business Maps View, which will allow visitors to Google Maps to tour those businesses online.
Business View is an expansion of Google Maps' Street View — clicking on an icon at the Street View site of the business or institution will allow Google Maps surfers to take a 360 degree view of the place.
"This is my third year of coming through the Kootenays," Wall told the Townsman.
Wall was busy last week with his camera, which takes floor-to ceiling rotating photographs — one frame every 45 degrees. The digital tour will eventually include the lobby, the gift shop, the new museum and the Royal Alexandra Hall.
While in the East Kootenay, Wall was also due to photograph the Spirit Rock Climbing Centre in Kimberley, the Heartbeet Vegetarian Bistro in Kimberley, St. Eugene Golf Resort and Casino, Wildstone Golf Course, Fort Steele Heritage Town, the Canadian Rockies International Airport and Westland Insurance in Cranbrook.
Wall said there was about a three-week overlap between initial photography and the virtual tour going up online.