Medical Heritage in Pincher Creek
Pincher Creek’s medical history took a major leap forward with the establishment of the Memorial Hospital around 1902. Before that, medical care was informal, provided by local doctors and midwives in homes or small, makeshift offices. The growing settlement was geographically isolated from larger centers like Fort Macleod and Lethbridge, making medical emergencies difficult and dangerous due to long travel times and a lack of advanced medical equipment. There was a clear need for a full-service hospital in the area…
19th Doors Open & Heritage Festival
2024 marks the 19th year of the Crowsnest Pass Doors Open & Heritage Festival, a celebration of our unique history, culture, and heritage. This festival is held over the August Long Weekend and attracts over 9,000 visitors annually to Crowsnest Pass. The event offers a variety of in-person and virtual experiences, sharing the region’s amazing stories and history with participants…
Adventures Await in Waterton Park
Between 1890 and 1940, Waterton Lakes National Park, initially protected as a Dominion Forest Park in 1895, evolved significantly in its offerings and infrastructure, eventually being known for its natural beauty and historical significance. The park was officially established following a proposal by rancher F.W. Godsal in 1893, and named after the British naturalist Charles Waterton by Lieutenant Blakiston of the Palliser Expedition…
Bring it home.
In October of 2022 , Dylan Yanke found a “Fire Truck for sale” near Sundre, AB. A 1967 Dodge D600 that he felt he has seen before, on the door of the truck it read “Pincher Creek Fire Dept” and he remembered where he had seen it before, on a picture that was hanging on the wall behind his desk at the Pincher Creek Fire Hall where he worked…
Crowsnest Pass Golf Club
Since 1920, the Crowsnest Pass Golf Club has reinvented itself several times. In recent years, the Crowsnest Pass Golf Club has experienced significant positive change with the construction of new golf holes, pro-shop, and restaurant facilities. The new golf course layout continues to rank among the best. Read more…
The North West Mounted Police and the March West
On August 30th, 1873, in response to the Cypress Hills Massacre, Governor General Lord Dufferin signed an Order-in-Council authorizing the creation of the North West Mounted Police. Their duties were to suppress the whiskey trade, protect First Nations people from unscrupulous traders, and to stamp out lawlessness in the region. Read more….
Coffee With The Curator
Step back into the vibrant frontier history of the Pincher Creek area! Our monthly feature “Coffee with the Curator” encourages a trip down Memory Lane.
Our next event takes place the afternoon of Thursday, 11th January 2024 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. The theme from our past which we will be exploring is the early Pincher Creek Pioneers. Have you ever wondered who these frontier people were? This is a chance for you to discover some of them. Read more…
Crowsnest Nordic Ski Club
The Crowsnest Cross-Country Ski Association first met on April 4, 1990, at Passpowder Ski Lodge to select a name, develop a mandate and elect officers. Selection of a name for the organization’s 126 contributing members followed a lengthy discussion and a close vote. Read more…
Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village
Let your historical imagination be sparked by the Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village! Here at Pincher Creek’s premiere heritage facility, truly you can step back into time. Relive the rustic vibrant western Canadian frontier from long ago! Read more…
Caruncles, Wattles and Snoods
Of all the bird fowl that exist in this province you would have thought that “meleagris gallopavo merriami” would be the unlikeliest to thrive in increasing numbers, but thrive they have. Since their introduction to the Cypress and Porcupine Hills in 1962 the populations of wild turkeys have taken off, literally. Sightings of large flocks have been noted for many years now out around Lee Lake, Passburg and as far west as West Coleman and on into the Lower Elk Valley. Their phenomenal transplant success led to the introduction of an Alberta Fish and Wildlife hunting season in 1991. Read more..
Fort MacLeod Empress • A sparkling jewel
The Empress Theatre is a rare gem: one of the oldest operating theatres in the country. Built in 1912, the elegant 300-seat Empress is a regional performing arts centre where neighbours gather to celebrate and nurture local, Albertan and Canadian artists through the transformative experiences of music, art and theatre. Read more….
The Blairmore Bandstand
Calls for a bandstand in Blairmore began shortly after the formation of the town’s brass band in 1911, but it was not until 1921 that the town invited tenders to build one. The bandstand was completed in July that year, on the south side of Victoria Street (main street, present 20th Avenue) opposite from Sixth Avenue (present 130 Street). Another bandstand was erected in the West Townsite at the same time, presumably by West Canadian Collieries. Read more…
The Burmis Tree
You might wonder how a tree – and a dead one at that – can be a heritage attraction. Well for starters, the tree is a Limber Pine that lived for over 300 years (perhaps 700 years, some experts say) before it died around 1978. Learn More…