By: Zdenko Kahlina

Four amazing pyramids, endless opportunities for discovery.
Muttart Conservatory pyramids are indeed a “jewel in the arctic”. With eight months of the year shrouded in wintry weather, Edmonton is the most populous northern city in Canada. Naturally, if you live here you would develop a craving for other earthly climes especially in the middle of winter.

I moved here from Europe twenty years ago with my family. My first winter saw me in bouts of extended depression. Then one day I discovered Muttart – four heavenly pyramids set in the middle of the arctic desert. Each one is special in its own way. You can experience an arid, a temperate, a tropical or a show pyramid or all four at once depending on your fancy. Entering any one of the pyramids is akin to entering an enchanted land. You soon forget all your troubles and mundane activities and immerse yourself in the sublime environment that pyramid has to offer oblivious to the -30C weather outside.

The Muttart Conservatory in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada consists of four glass pyramid greenhouses. Each pyramid has a different theme.

The conservatory, launched with a $1 million gift from the Gladys and Merrill Muttart Foundation, was officially opened September 3rd, 1976. Set in Edmonton’s lush river valley, the four pyramids of the Muttart Conservatory shimmer in the sun, home to thousands of species of plants, both domestic and exotic. It was billed as the most northerly botanical conservatory in North America, but it was the “pyramid power” that seemed to garner the most attention.

More than 30 years since the Muttart Conservatory opened, the pyramids have become such symbols of the city that it’s hard to imagine Edmonton without them. When you look at any promotion picture for Edmonton, almost always one of the images is the view of the city skyline, taken from the hill on Connors Road, with the Muttart Conservatory in the foreground.

Tropical Pyramid

The dense growth of plants inhabiting the Tropical Pyramid is lush, green, and fragrant, while the air is humid and warm. The colorful plants and canopied fig trees are typical of a tropical rain forest.

The tropical and temperate pyramids are 24 m (79′) high at apex; their base side length is 26 m (85′) and their overall area is 660 square meters (7,100 square feet). The arid and show pyramids are 18 m (59′) high at apex; the base length of their sides is 19.5 m (65′) and their overall area is 381 square meters (4,200 square feet).

Temperate Pyramid

Environmental conditions in the Temperate Pyramid are carefully controlled to allow the plants within to undergo a natural cycle of dormancy and active growth each year. The result is visually dramatic seasonal changes, much like what happens in Edmonton.  This is a very sought after pyramid in the winter when inside the plants think it’s spring and everything is alive with new growth while outside it is wintery, cold and grey.

Arid Pyramid

The plants that inhabit the Arid Pyramid originate in North America, the Mediterranean, Africa and Madagascar. These plants have the ability to survive dry air, irregular moisture and wide day/night temperature fluctuations. Many of these plants are of economic importance.

Feature Pyramid

The fourth pyramid has eight different themes each year. The Feature Pyramid is changed completely several times a year and each display features flowering plants that create seasonal celebrations of living color. The current one is celebrating Christmas.  There are more than 700 different species in the Conservatory.

Art Wall

The Muttart Art Wall is on the north side of the Conservatory’s central atrium and offers emerging artists an opportunity to exhibit their works.

A visit typically costs about $10. I recommend an Annual Pass for those of you living in Edmonton. With the Pass you can visit Muttart anytime all year round. My favorite pyramid is the “Tropical”; I simply love sitting in the pyramid reading a classic book, listening to the waterfall and the finches sing, surrounded by plants and trees of every kind.

The Muttart Conservatory, 9626 96 A Street, is open weekdays from 9 am to 5:30 pm and on weekends from 11 am to 5:30 pm. See www.edmonton.ca/Muttart or phone (780) 496 1403 for more information.

That was my vision of paradise. I don’t know what your’s is but I can tell you this much: create a mental image of your paradise and enter Muttart to find it realized. For those of you visiting Edmonton, my request is that please include Muttart in your itinerary. You will take away a memory, however ephemeral, that you’ll cherish all your life.

I really enjoyed my visit to the conservatory, because I learned so much about plants and trees from all over the world.

Source: Edmonton History

A Salute to Edmonton’s History
What makes Edmonton special to me is city’s history. This history lets me discover and know where we’ve been and has indeed paved the way to what we’ve become!

Because many committed Edmontonians and various government departments have strived to keep the city’s history alive for residents and visitors, I can visit Fort Edmonton Park or the Prince of Wales Heritage Centre. Old Strathcona showcases many heritage buildings as does the downtown core. A tour the charming neighborhoods of Highlands or Glenora captures a sense of early Edmonton. Our High Level Bridge was opened in 1913 and continues to stand proudly as the North Saskatchewan River flows by.

Photographs and documents at the City of Edmonton Archives allow me to research Edmonton’s history. Have you ever taken a stroll along MacDonald Drive downtown to read the history panels? All you have to do is look over our beautiful river valley from that vista and know that Edmonton is one beautiful city!

The fur trade
5.000 years before European explorers and fur traders arrived in the Edmonton area, the land was populated by the Cree and Blackfoot nations. In 1795, the Hudson’s Bay Company established its first trading post near the present site of Fort Saskatchewan in order to trade fur with First Nations. The fort was moved several times, to be settled permanently in 1830 on land that is today known as Alberta Legislature Grounds.

The fur trade boomed for many decades. In 1870, the Canadian government bought the land from the Hudson’s Bay Company to open it for settlement. In 1892, Edmonton was incorporated as a town. At this time about 700 people called Edmonton their home. In 1898, the Gold Rush Edmonton became the outfitting center for many prospectors heading for the Yukon.

Edmonton – 101 St. looking north

North Saskatchewan River – Route of The Fur Trade
The Saskatchewan River watershed is approximately 1,223 km long and is the major eastward flowing river of the western Canadian prairies and was the major transportation route for the beaver fur trade, which through Europeans fashion calling for felt hats made from compressed beaver fur, brought European culture to western Canada. The main waterway is the North Saskatchewan River, which flows from its headwaters in the Canadian Rockies to Lake Winnipeg, covering all of Alberta and Saskatchewan and western parts of Manitoba. These waters eventually flow into Hudson’s Bay, the huge body of water that is western Canada’s ocean connection to the Atlantic Ocean.

Fur trade happens these days only in Fort Edmonton

Fur trade in Fort Edmonton

Whether traveling the river by canoe or boat, or using the highway system, travelers and historical trekkers can easily follow the North Saskatchewan River. Along the river and its tributaries can be discoverd the history of the western Canadian aboriginal culture and the two competing fur trade companies that opened up the west during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The Hudson’s Bay Company operated from York Factory, near Churchill, MB and using large, sturdy york boats, moved the furs collected at western posts to the Bay. Canada’s best known department store chain, The Bay and HBC, is still the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Hudson’s Bay Traditional Point Blanket
The break off competitor was the Northwest Company, who operated with traditional birch bark canoes, from Montreal. Their route, to the west took them via the Great Lakes, portage routes (where canoes and gear are carried) and rivers to Lake Winnipeg and the Saskatchewan Rivers. They also, traded and explored, over the mountains, in what is now British Columbia. Their best known explorer/trader was David Thompson.

The Hudson’s Bay Company York boat

The following are the Hudson’s Bay and Northwest Company posts and forts and Aboriginal heritage sites that can be visited along western Canada’s fur trade river. Many of the posts had multiple locations and most don’t exist anymore, or have become towns, or cities, along the way. Some of the forts served a multi-purpose, first as a fur trade and then as a base for the Northwest Mounted Police (eg. Ft. Edmonton).

Fort Carlton Provincial Historic Park is rich in western Canadian history. The Fort was built in 1810 as a fur-trading post on a spot well-used for crossing the North Saskatchewan River.

Wanuskewin Heritage Park Heritage Park under the leadership and guidance of First Nations people that contributes to increasing public awareness, understanding and appreciation of the cultural legacy of the Northern Plains First Nations people. 5 kms north of Saskatoon on Highway #11, follow the Bison signs.

At North Battleford, Saskatchewan, you can also visit a Northwest Mounted Police fort, that was very important during the 1885 Northwest Rebellion

As the supply of beaver pelts were devoured by the hunger for beaver felt hats, by the summer of 1792 the westward expansion of the fur trade reached what is now Alberta and there we find the site of the two trading depots of Fort George (NWC) and Buckingham House (HBC). Though little remains of the structures, the Province of Alberta a very informative museum and interpretive trail between the two posts. For more information about this site go to the website.

There were a series of locations for Ft. Edmonton, but eventually it was located at ford near where the Alberta Legislature is, east of Edmonton’s High Level Bridge. Many famous people of 18th century western Canada, would have passed through Ft. Edmonton, including the cartographer David Thompson and the painter Paul Kane.

Edmonton – 101 St. looking south past Jasper Avenue

Gateway to the North
By 1904, Edmonton had a population of 8,350. Soon after, when Alberta joined the Confederation, Edmonton was selected as provincial capital. In 1908, the University of Alberta opened its doors. Edmonton entered a frantic boom period when Strathcona amalgamated with Edmonton in 1912, combining their population to over 40,000. In the 1930s Edmonton became the “Gateway to the North” flying medical supplies, food and mail to remote northern communities.

Edmonton’s face changed forever when oil was discovered in Leduc in 1947. Overnight Edmonton became the Oil Capital of Canada and Edmonton’s population doubled within a decade. Still today, the oil and gas industry remains the city’s economic cornerstone.

The 1960s brought the Edmonton International Airport, the Citadel Theatre, the 27-story CN Tower and the Provincial Museum of Alberta. The 1970s brought a further boost to development of Edmonton and the Northlands Coliseum (today Skyreach Centre) opened its doors to mark the NHL’s best ice surface. In 1978, Edmonton became the first city with a population smaller than 1 million to have a Light Rail Transit (LRT) system.

With the opening of West Edmonton Mall in 1981, Edmonton entered the Guinness Book of Records with the world’s largest shopping and entertainment complex. In 1995, Edmonton celebrated its 200th year.

Edmonton – Jasper Avenue looking east past 103 Street

Edmonton – Churchill Square

Edmonton – Jasper Avenue looking east of 102 Street

History of the Edmonton River Valley
Early inhabitants may have gathered in the Edmonton area as early as the end of the last ice age, possibly as early as 10,000BC when as the ice receded woodlands, water and wildlife became available in the region.

Saskatchewan River going through Edmonton

Saskatchewan River in Edmonton

Saskatchewan River is frozen during the winter

In 1754, Anthony Henday, an explorer working for the Hudson’s Bay Company, may have been the first European to enter the Edmonton area. His trip was part of HBC’s interest in establishing direct contact with the Native population of the interior rather than depending on Native middlemen to bring furs to posts located on Hudson Bay. In 1794, the Hudson’s Bay Company and the North-West Fur Company founded Old Fort Edmonton and Old Fort Augustus at the mouth of the Sturgeon River (present day St. Albert). By 1807, both Fort Augustus and Old Fort Edmonton had been destroyed by Blood Indians.

In 1808, New Fort Edmonton and New Fort Augustus were rebuilt on the present site of the City of Edmonton. With the amalgamation of the two companies in 1821, the Hudson’s Bay Company post was retained, as was the name Fort Edmonton. It become the distribution centre for the whole north-west and a major supply stage on the Hudson’s Bay Company trans-Canada route. In the late nineteenth century, settlers were attracted to the area by the fertile farmland in the region, and this helped to further establish Edmonton as a major regional commercial and agricultural centre. Throuhout this entire period the North Saskatchewan River served as the only major “Highway” in the region.

The area became part of the new Dominion of Canada in 1870 and modern Edmonton can be said to have begun in 1871 when it was incorporated as a village. At about this time legislation finally made it possible for private individuals to claim ownership of land. Prior to this all the land rights resided in the Hudson’s Bay Company. In the late nineteenth century, settlers were attracted to the area by the fertile farmland in the region, and this helped to further establish Edmonton as a major regional commercial and agricultural centre. Edmonton was also a stopping point for people hoping to cash in on the Klondike Gold Rush in 1897. Incorporated as a city in 1905 Edmonton became the capital of Alberta a year later on September 1, 1905. 

First public school in Edmonton

Proud to be Edmontonian
Unique past stories of Edmonton can be found at the Edmonton Public Schools Archives and Museum downtown. Our city also has some wonderful historic churches and cultural museums. At such venues, I can learn about Edmonton’s fur trading, aviation, transportation, arts and “people” history. In late July and early August, the 2009 Edmonton & Northern Alberta Historic Festival will take place with events, tours and activities showcasing history … this annual festival is amazing.

Alberta Legislature building in Edmonton

Modern Edmonton – panoramic view

Edmonton downtown

Edmonton heritage building – The Gibson block

Having lived here for more than 20 years now, I’m proud to be a part of Edmonton’s history. I’m grateful that I chose Edmonton!

A salute to your history, Edmonton!

Some interesting web sites about Edmonton:

http://www.edmontonhistory.ca/

http://www.edmontonkiosk.ca/history.php

Large photo of Riverdale neighbourhood

http://www.edmontonstories.ca/

By: Zdenko Kahlina

Historic Hostelry
I heard people say: ‘If you see this hotel in your sights, run the other directions!’ I agree this place is a total dump. It stinks with spilled brews, totally unclean and serves too many risky patrons. I was terrified of this place, but it was declared a Historical Site and nothing could be done through the years to convince the Transit Management to make improvements.

The Transit hotel these days

The Transit Hotel (known affectionately in Edmonton as The Transit) is a hotel and tavern in Edmonton. It is located at the intersection of 66th street and Fort Road, in the northeast part of the city. Opened on September 11, 1908, the Transit was strategically placed as the first or last stop for travelers between Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan, and for its proximity to the recently. 

Intersection of 66th street and Fort Road

The Transit Hotel of Packingtown turned 103 in 2011. The Transit hotel has a long history. It’s been 103 years since the hotel opened in what had been nicknamed Packingtown, the northeastern suburb clustered around the city’s meat-packing industry. Described by the Edmonton Bulletin newspaper as ‘commodious’, it featured modern conveniences like electricity and, in the finest of its 40 suites (26 now, after renos), running water. But time and a gritty location have been unkind. ‘When I go to buy something and make the bill out for the Transit Hotel,’ says 70-year-old Bob Ruzycki, owner since 1986, people say, ‘Oh, the Transit. That’s where they kill people.’ Not so, he says. In fact, owner or not, he’ll always feel at home here. ‘I’ll probably come back and enjoy a beer with the patrons. I’ll miss them. They’re working people. Good people.’  

Karaoke on Tuesday nights

 
The old-timers love Transit Hotel
It’s 10 a.m. and the old-timers wander in for their customary pints as the doors of the Transit Hotel tavern swing open for another day. A sign on the wall boasts the hotel has ‘the coldest and best beer in town.’ Elmer Olsen, 83, and Mike Worsley, 79, count out their loonies and quarters for a pint each. Between the two, they have been frequenting the Transit Hotel more than 80 years.

Ever since it opened, the Transit Hotel was the first or last beer parlor along Fort Trail where thirsty travelers could stop for a cold one, depending on whether they were travelling to or from Fort Saskatchewan.

‘I remember when I first started coming here, the roads were gravel and there was a blacksmith shop up the street,’ says Olsen as he takes a sip of beer. ‘I think there were stockyards across the street.’

‘I remember when they had rodent races here. Those were a lot of fun, hey?’ Worsley says to Olsen.

‘They were gerbils,’ Olsen says, clarifying.

‘OK, gerbils. I remember the bar used to be on the east side (of the room) and they still had a cafe,’ Worsley says.

‘They still had a lobby. I miss that lobby. I would usually come early and sit there until the bar opened. It was a pretty good meeting place,’ he says. 

Intersection of 66th street and Fort Road

The hotel’s location, on the corner of Norton Street (66th Street) and Fort Trail (Fort Road) was no accident. Its original owner, Patrick Dwyer, had the foresight to build the three-storey watering hole at the same time as the nearby J. Y. Griffin slaughterhouse was built. Griffin later became Swift’s Packing Plant, which was joined by other meat-packing plants in the area over the coming decades. It was also situated near the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway lines which came into Edmonton in 1909.

“The Transit Hotel, the commodious new hostelry that will supply the hotel accommodations for Edmonton’s thriving suburb commonly known as Packingtown opened to the public on Friday last,” The Edmonton Bulletin trumpeted under the headline, New hotel in Packingtown on Sept. 14, 1908. The Bulletin’s review listed the 40-room hotel’s many modern conveniences of the day, including bathrooms on the top two floors.

The hotel will be lighted by electricity!

“The hotel will be lighted by electricity and will be supplied with hot and cold water. A telephone call system has been installed and in a few days the proprietors expect to have a barber shop open in the basement,” The Bulletin said.

The hotel and the land that surrounds it have undergone many changes over the years. The hitching posts that surrounded the hotel are long gone, as are the packing plants and stockyards. Asphalt has replaced the dirt roads farmers once brought their pigs, sheep and cattle in on for slaughter. The Belvedere LRT station now sits on land where once there was a hatchery. 

The original Transit hotel in 1908

Even the community known as Packingtown no longer exists. The area was incorporated as the Village of North Edmonton in 1910 and annexed by the city in 1912.

Little remains of the hotel’s original interior and exterior, although the current owners, Bob and Pauline Ruzycki, have spent a lot of time and money restoring the front facade to its original boom-town architecture, complete with a second-floor veranda, elaborate parapet and finagled roof line. The hotel was run down when they purchased it in December 1986, says Bob.

The rooms were remodeled to make them bigger. There are now only 26 rooms. The tavern had one-by-four wood panels along the lower half of the walls, which were painted royal blue while the upper half was white. The room was lit with harsh fluorescent lighting. There were raised “corrals” for tables and chairs along the walls which he had to rip out because they were hazardous to tipsy customers.

Ruzycki has added on to the tavern. He was granted permission to do away with the front lobby which is now an extension of tavern. Anyone who wants to rent a room now must see tavern staff, who have his permission to turn them down if they look like they could be trouble, says Ruzycki, who prides himself on running a clean establishment with a small-town feel. 

At night run into the other direction!

The Transit Hotel has seen only one murder in its history. That was nearly 50 years ago. Ruzycki says he thinks Patrick Dwyer would be amazed and proud to know that the hotel he built a century ago for $50,000 is still standing after all these years and almost looks the same.

On the street, the clip-clop of hooves has been replaced by the drone of traffic. The packing plants – Griffin, Burns, Swifts, Gainers and Maple Leaf – are long gone.

Recognizing its historic value to our city, the property resides on the Register of Historic Resources in Edmonton. But it is not designated, meaning it could fall to the wrecking ball anytime. What will happen to the hotel with a new development in the Fort Road area around the hotel remains to be seen.

Mr. Patrick Dwyer would certainly be proud to know, the hotel is still serving ice-cold beer to thirsty travelers.

By: Zdenko Kahlina
Pictures and text: from C2E forum

The North Saskatchewan River snakes its way through the city with a long green belt of parkland running along both banks. This is North America’s largest stretch of city parkland, one long recreational area strewn with cycling paths and trails.

Looking SE towards the Muttart Conservatory.

Imagine a city park 30 km (19miles) long that has all kinds of facilities, including network of jogging, running and cycling trails.

If you work in downtown Edmonton, consider yourself lucky. You are only steps away from Edmonton’s coveted river valley trail system, where endless walking and running opportunities await.

Whether you are just starting out, a seasoned walker, or you like to run, consider taking advantage of Edmonton’s great trail system over the noon hour or right after work.

Looking South from downtown to the eastern edge of the south skyline

Not sure where to walk? Active Edmonton would like to ease you into walking in the river valley with mapped Active Edmonton walks! You can start by logging onto www.mapmywalk.com and search for the walking routes described below.

East Jasper Avenue…the oldest part of Edmonton that needs a rebirth

Further east looking SW from what appears to be an a former home

1.Active Edmonton Walk Day Route

Perfect for those who tend to frequently claim they don’t have the time. This loop is short and sweet! Total distance is 2.2 km and, even done at a leisurely pace, this loop can be completed in 30 minutes or less, leaving you time to stop and grab a bite of lunch or window shop on the way back to the office!

Here’s where you go:

1. Starting and finishing at the Shaw Conference Centre.
2. Go west along Grierson Hill.
3. Cross the Low Level Bridge and head east along the walking trail past the River Queen.
4. Cross the foot bridge (north).
5. Walk through Louise McKinney Park where you can enjoy the scenic Chinese Garden, and Finish your walk at the Shaw.

Try this loop … you have time. Really!

The Edmonton Queen riverboat

Looking back towards the Shaw convention centre

Louise Mckinney Park and the Chinese garden

2. Active Edmonton River Valley Walk

This more intense six-kilometre route gives you a tour of the river valley and includes hills and stairs to increase intensity through out the walk. Great for those who can take an extended lunch (1.25 hours) or walk it after work!

Route details are as follows:

1. Walk down the Hotel MacDonald stairs.
2. Cross over to the Low Level Bridge and walk across.
3. Immediately after you cross the bridge go down the stairs and follow the walking path heading west along the river’s edge.
4. The path will take you under the James MacDonald Bridge.
5. Continue along the foot path that will lead you up a hill that twists around like a corkscrew.
6. Follow the path signs as they direct you south, then west to the Kinsmen Sports Centre/Walterdale Bridge.
7. Cross the Walterdale Bridge (north) and continue your walk behind the Rossdale Power plant.
8. You will walk under the Low Level Bridge.
9. Finally, gear yourself up and get ready to climb the stairs back up to the MacDonald Hotel.

This is literally in the middle of our city…

Again… middle of the city… so serene

Nature and urbanity

If you are not ready to venture out on your own, or are looking for a group to walk with join Active Edmonton’s Noon Hour Walk and Strollers in June!

Active Edmonton will be facilitating three walks for downtown workers and residents. The walks are scheduled for Monday June 9, 16, and 23. Active Edmonton’s Noon Hour Walk and Strollers will meet and start at the top of the Hotel MacDonald stairs where we will commence walking at 12:10 p.m.

Each session will take about 40 minutes and will lead you on a different guided walking adventure covering distances of four kilometres or less. Check out our Event Calendar ahead of time to find out where we will be walking.

Every participant who comes out to walk with us will receive an Active Edmonton give-away.

The core from a hill

Commonwealth Stadium

Our new tallest, the Epcor Tower (149m), under construction beside a jewel

Our provincial Legislature in a godlike state

A new condo, our tallest residential, going up downtown

A ski hill downtown, yup…

South skyline condo/apartment towers and the University of Alberta

Wicked infill… with straw bale construction

My 2nd favorite theatre, the Garneau (under restoration)

I think I can see my condo

The majestic ‘High Level’ Bridge connecting the north and southside.

Looking west from the middle of the high level bridge

More skyline going west, all residential

University of Alberta 

The most used staircase in Edmonton

The old locomotive bridge beside the newer light rail bridge

wait for it…

only a 2 car and not the newly delivered trains, oh well…

and to finish…the Alberta Provincial Legislature and my backyard

inspiration or mediocrity…

By: Zdenko Kahlina

Iconic structure arose again on original site.
The other day on my way to Shaw Convention centre I passed by the newly built ‘Alberta Hotel’ on Jasper Avenue. What an incredible building. It’s been rebuild from pieces lying in storage since the historic structure was demolished 25 years ago.

A replica of the hotel was built from the original blueprints

The five-storey building was torn down in 1984 to make way for Canada Place, but its distinctive turret, metal balconies, exterior sandstone blocks and bricks were numbered and put into crates. Now they’re back up again, only meters from their original location, after architect Gene Dub started foundation work more than a year ago, on land just west of the federal office tower.

In 2011 after years of planning, developer/architect Gene Dub completed building a $15-million replica of the old Alberta Hotel, a once-lovely historical building torn down to make way for Canada Place.

Arial view: Shaw Convention Centre, Canada Place and Alberta Hotel

Interestingly, if you look at this picture above and bellow, the Alberta Hotel will actually fit in quite nicely because of the front of Canada Place. If the monolithic part of that building was right to the roadway I have no doubt that the little building would have been lost.

Good location… squeezed between modern buildings

“We had the original bricks, stone, balcony and cupola (the dome on top) from the original,” said Gene, “along with the facade from the Rothsay Apartments (also torn down) for the west side of the building.

“We’re building about five meters over from the original site”, said Gene Dub. The only difference from the original will be the rooms – 14 luxury suites instead of postage – stamp bedrooms with the washroom down the hall. The main floor will re-create the original bar and dining room, just like the reconstructed Hotel Selkirk in Fort Edmonton Park. There will be space for other amenities such as a health spa.

Vision of Vibrancy

Construction has completed on the replica of the Alberta Hotel!

Dub plans to create a 14-room bed and breakfast style boutique hotel with a restaurant, office space and perhaps a spa at the Jasper Avenue site, which has been used as a park. The west entrance will incorporate the facade from the Rothsay Apartments, which stood at 97th Street, and the hotel might also use a remnant from 101st Street’s Tegler Building, which was spectacularly blown up in the 1980s.

The Turret – Cupola

Alberta Hotel was initially erected in 1903

The north side facing the Citadel Theatre is a wall of glass, but from the south the new hotel looks identical to what was erected in 1903.

“It’s quite an important structure in the history of Edmonton. I thought it would be important that we try and keep it and bring it back”, said Dub.

He bought the land from the city in 2005, half of which will remain as park when he’s done, and has paid a storage fee for the fragments, which he received for free. Construction was delayed by negotiations over parking access and Dub’s unsuccessful proposal to use the building for a national portrait gallery.

This boutique hotel is not open yet, but construction seems to be completed. At least from the outside, all work is done and perhaps there is some work being done on the inside. In any case, it looks like hotel will be reopening very soon.

Like the Union Bank Inn down the street, the Alberta Hotel will add much class to the downtown. Being next to Canada Place is a great location for this small hotel. As we all know Canada Place holds all kinds of government departments. Officials from these departments could stay in this hotel while doing business in Canada Place. People coming in for government courses could stay there. I am sure if the government has enough people going there they could work out a favorable rate for overnight guests.

Replica Hotel Selkirk at Fort Edmonton Park

 Alberta Hotel history

Fred Jackson and Edmund Del Grierson commissioned architect James Wize to design them a hotel for the lip of the river valley where a wood framed hostelry had resided since 1893. Situated where Canada Place now stands at 98th Street and Jasper Avenue, their Alberta Hotel opened in 1903.

Constructed of brick and stone in the Victorian Romanesque style, it was an exceptional structure for its time. The castle-like hotel’s most distinctive feature was a conical corner tower, and details included round arched and segmentally arched windows and a rusticated base.

Hotel Alberta in 1903.

The hotel boasted the first elevator in the city and shower baths. Riding the publicity from his new hotel and his reputation, Grierson was elected Alderman in 1904. Grierson Hill bears his name. Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier stayed at the hotel in 1905, when Alberta entered confederation.

This 40-room hotel at the southwest corner of Jasper Avenue and 101st Street formally opened on February 9, 1903. Its barroom quickly became one of downtown’s favoured watering holes.

Local hotelier Robert McDonald, who owned the Yale Hotel, bought the Windsor Hotel and the adjacent Windsor Block in 1911, and changed the name to the Hotel Selkirk. He expanded and renovated the property to 100 guest rooms and it officially reopened on November 10, 1913.

Original Alberta Hotel

 For the next 50 years, the hotel was one of the most popular meeting places, with its central location, comfortable pub and classy basement restaurant Johnson’s Café. The well-loved landmark was severely damaged by fire on December 18, 1962, and was subsequently demolished the following September to make way for the Royal Bank of Canada tower.

 The Alberta Hotel was knocked down in 1984. Parts of the historic building were salvaged, including the west and south facing sandstone and brick facades, crowning white cupola, the elegant bar room interior, exterior signs and the original elevator. They sit in a northeast Edmonton storage yard, the city artifact centre and Fort Edmonton Park.

 Each piece of stone, as it was uncovered, was numbered according to architectural drawings, then carefully removed. The entire process took two months. In the bar room, crews removed ornate moulded plaster ceilings, finely detailed woodwork, wall tile samples and a stained glass window over an outside doorway. All the components of the original elevator were also removed. The elevator was still in working condition.

In the 23 years since the deconstruction work, a number of plans to resurrect the old hotel have come and gone. For a time, Fort Edmonton Park considered re-constructing the Alberta Hotel, but still the vintage parts languish as baubles from a forsaken past.

More information and pictures of hotel reconstruction can be found here:

http://www.connect2edmonton.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=5401

Text: Marcus Fernando
Pictures: Zdenko Kahlina

FRINGEOPOLIS…
Take a historic neighborhood, add dozens of different venues, stir in performers from around the world, throw in a few hundred thousand audience members and let it grow over 11 days. The result: one Fringe Festival. The Edmonton Fringe Theatre Festival hits the streets of Old Strathcona for 11 days of theatrical merriment. From noon to midnight daily, performers from around the globe and around the corner entertained audiences with song, dance, drama, comedy, and everything in between. Thousands of people packed the various Fringe venues daily, making Old Strathcona a see and be seen neighborhood. I am posting here couple of blogs from an interesting blogger who was one of the entertainers at the Fringe festival.

Edmonton Fringe Festival:

Greetings, Ex-Fringers!

Well, here we are on the morning after the night before. The last performances have performed, the sets have been cleared, the traders have moved out, and there is only the Tumbleweed of redundant show-posters blowing in the wind to remind us of the fun we’ve all just had. Sad…in a way, but so it must be!

After all, think of what happens now. All of those performers go somewhere else. Some stay in Edmonton, or Alberta, or Canada. Some (like us) go abroad to many far-flung parts of the world. Some might be taking their productions elsewhere, for more audiences to enjoy. Others might be heading back to more “conventional” jobs….whatever they might be. It’s wonderful, isn’t it? All these many and diverse people came together in one place at one time to contribute to the great theatre party that is Edmonton Fringe Festival. For a while, everything was intense, fast-paced, even manic…but now it all returns to normal.

What should we call this day after the final day? The “Post-Ultimate” day, possibly? A day of sadness (possibly), tidying up (almost certainly), Rest and Recuperation (hopefully) and travel (maybe). As I write this, The Dragon wagon II is parked outside, with sets and costumes from both productions still in the back. No, that’s not quite true. The picture frames from “Red Wine and Canvas” we decided to break up and bin, rather than store. We needed to have a good think about this, as we hope to bring the full-length version of the show to Canada next year (out of Fringe time), if our sponsorship goes ahead. So, we’ll need to make up some new frames now. But it was still considered better than trying to store them.

As for the rest of the Dreamscape ephemera: well, the costumes will travel back with us. We’ll try to keep everything together, so that we can easily resurrect either show if required. But you know how it is…bits of costumes get used for other shows, other pieces were borrowed and have to be returned….and some just end up getting worn in “civvy street”!! Yes, there’ll always be a need to do more costume shopping at the Charity Shops!

The projector will stay here in Canada, to be used for future productions. Now that we have it and know it works, we have the option of adding slide or film projection to future shows. Excellent! And we shall certainly keep our Walmart bed sheet projection screen in storage here!

The Dagger will also stay over here. I’m not entirely sure what (if any) future application it might have, but I’m not going to try to take THAT back on the plane! And that’s it…nothing else to carry back. Well, that’s not quite true: we have our reviews (good and bad), which we will add to the Dreamscape Portfolio, along with posters, programs, ticket stubs and the like. It’s nice to be able to flick back through the history of Dreamscape…and it will be something to show our child…if they’re interested!

So…a little bit of history is going back with us. Another page in the Dreamscape Chronicle, fitting neatly into the space between the Past and the Future. You know, maybe it isn’t really sad. It’s just another wonderful step of the Great Adventure!

A few of my favourite things…

Greetings, Fringers past, present and future!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve really had the most wonderful time here at the Edmonton Fringe. It’s not just about audience numbers, or reviews, or hold-over’s….it’s about atmosphere. So many people having a great time. Of course there is the rough as well as the smooth. The reviews which don’t like us, the empty seats in the theatre, the stress of trying to get the projector up and running…but hey! The positive outweighs the negative a million times over!

GEEKWARE at the Fringe, recycling obsolete electronics into fun geek gifts

GEEKWARE – www.GEEKWARE.ca

I have one cloud looming on my horizon. Paperwork and Tax. As usual, I shall do everything I can to keep everything above board and official (both here and in England), but my past experiences with the Winnipeg office leaves me with that worrying thought that no matter how properly we (and the Edmonton tax office) do things, there’ll always be someone willing to say we got it wrong. I shall take advice from an Accountant. It shouldn’t have to be this complicated…but better safe than sorry!

But enough of the cloud: let’s concentrate on the silver linings! And there are MANY! I am full of praise for the Edmonton Fringe, and here are a few of my highlights:

The Fringe Organization. Thomas Scott and the rest of the team have done a marvelous job in keeping the Fringe friendly and accessible. In particular, it is NOT about big budgets or having powerful friends. This has allowed small overseas companies such as Dreamscape to come in and take part on an equal footing. My word of caution, though: if it is allowed to go too much over to BYOV’s, then it could end up descending into an “Edinburgh” scenario, with venues charging huge premiums, and vetting the productions. This would be a disaster…believe me: I’ve seen the results! However, a huge THANK YOU to all the Fringe Organizers. I can not even comprehend the huge amount of organization and paperwork involved.

The Volunteers. Can’t praise these people enough. So very Canadian. So wonderful! These people give up so much of their time and effort to support the Fringe, and without fail every volunteer we were dealing with were lovely: always friendly and smiling. THANK YOU to all volunteers!

Block 1912. Yes, I know it came in for a bit of criticism in one of my earlier columns, but it still was (and will be) our place of choice to rest and recuperate. Indeed, they excelled themselves yesterday, when a group of us went in there for food and hot chocolate. One of our group had a Thai Tea from one of the on-site vendors. We thought she wouldn’t be allowed in with it, but they quietly offered to pour it into one of their own cups, so that no-one would notice! THANK YOU Block 1912!

Our Front of House staff. Yes, I know they sort of come under the heading of “Volunteers”, but they have been wonderful, and I’ve really enjoyed our little chats before and after the shows. THANK YOU Walterdale FOH!

The Audience. What can I say? You made the effort to come to the Fringe. To come to our show. You spent your money, your time, and you supported the Arts. And many of you made the effort to chat to us to give us feedback, or to recommend the shows to your friends. Some of you remember Dreamscape from past productions SIX YEARS ago! Canadian audiences are amazing. THANK YOU Fringers!

Fellow Artists. I just LOVE the support one gets from other theatre teams in the Fringe. We’ve re-established old friendships, and made new ones. THANK YOU fellow Artists!

And my top thank you….my thank you for really making this Fringe something special: This accolade goes to our two Technicians at the Walterdale: Nico and D’Arcy (or is it simply Darcy? Whatever!). These guys are not only damned good at their job, but made us so welcome from the moment we arrived at the theatre. They put in extra hours to sort out our technical problems with the projector, they made us bacon sandwiches, and kept us to schedule, they ran the theatre like a tight (but very friendly) ship, and at all times remained cheerful. These guys really are the spirit of the Fringe…and of Professional Theatre! THANKS GUYS!

There are more, so many more to thank. Of course. Family, friends, even reviewers. But my final thanks goes to Patti and Paul for giving me the chance to write this Blog….and to all of you for taking the trouble to read it! I’ve had a great time. I hope you have too! THANK YOU!

A la prochaine!

FERNANDO

Source: C2E Portal
Edmonton statues
Today I visited Edmonton’s outdoor statues and photographed them. I present them here in the order that I photographed them. The scary thing is that I knew only three of those people.

Constable Ezio Farone

CONSTABLE EZIO FARAONE, member of Edmonton Police Service. Killed in the line of duty June 25th 1990. Constable Faraone stopped a suspect vehicle fleeing the scene of a bank robbery. While attempting to arrest the only visible suspect, the driver, Constable Faraone was shot and killed by a second suspect hiding in the back seat. He died instantly at 33 years of age. Constable Faraone was committed to his family, his work and his community.

Wayne Gretzky

Wayne Gretzky was the most dominant hockey player of his generation, and perhaps of all-time. He was bigger than the game itself. Canadians identified themselves as fellow citizens of Gretzky, and foreigners posed with questions on Canada, named Gretzky first, before prime ministers or other celebrities.

Frank Spinelli

History 101… Italian-Style! In 1959, Frank Spinelli bought a small store with partner Remiro Zalunardo, on the corner of 95th Street and 108th Avenue. The rest, as they say, is history. About 1964, he took over the store and the Italian Centre Shop grew to a wholesale empire which supplies stores and restaurants throughout western Canada. His wife, daughter Teresa and son Pietro, all worked in the store. Sadly, Pietro died in 1996, shortly after his 32nd birthday. ‘Mr. Spinelli embraced immigrants and politicians alike’.

Pioneer Women Of Alberta – Emily Murphy

“Nothing ever happens by chance,” Emily Murphy liked to say. “Everything is pushed from behind.” After twelve years of pushing, the doors of the Canadian Senate finally opened to women, but it was too late for Emily Murphy to enter. She died on October 27, 1933.

Lunchbox Joe

Lunchbox Joe is a statue sponsored by the Devonian Gardens that was reclaimed from the old Churchill Square. This statue, created by S. Johnson, features a worker who is relaxing in the Square, enjoying his lunch break.

Sir Winston Churchill Statue

The bronze statue of Rt. Hon. Sir Winston Churchill Spencer was sculpted by Oscar Neman and unveiled by Sir Winston Churchill’s daughter, Lady Mary Soames, on May 24, 1989.

Tough Minded Women

“Tough-Minded Women” (located at the Milner Branch of the Edmonton Public Library).

The Traders

This statue stands outside the Edmonton Public Library. Called “The Trader” it commemorates the pioneering history of the city. In the 1790s, Fort Edmonton was established as one of the northerly trading posts of the Hudson’s Bay Company.

Mahatma Gandhi

This bust of Mahatma Gandhi is located to the south of the main branch of the public library in Edmonton, Alberta.

The Merchant

“The Merchant” is a sculpture by John Weaver that is located across from the Citadel Theatre in downtown Edmonton, Alberta.

Robert Burns

Famous Scottish poet Robbie Burns statue in front of the Hotel McDonald in downtown Edmonton.

David Kootook Memorial

Description: In November 1972, a plane crashed en route to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories. The passengers included two patients seeking medical treatment, a nurse, and the pilot. The nurse died when the plane crashed, and one of the patients, a pregnant woman, died a day later. The other patient was David Pisurayak Kootook, a 14 year old Inuk boy who was suffering from appendicitis. Kootook helped care for the pilot (Martin Hartwell), who had two broken legs from the crash.

With average temperates of -35 degrees Fahrenheit, weeks went by without help arriving. Kootook passed away after 20 days, and Hartwell made the tough decision to eat the leg of the nurse to survive. Hartwell was eventually rescued 31 days after the crash.

Voyageur Canoe – Caravel, by Isla Burns

Grant Notley

At the intersection of 116th. Street and Victoria Park Road, are Grant Notley Park, a memorial for a former leader of the provincial New Democratic Party, who was killed in a plane crash in 1984, and Le Marchand Mansion. The original mansion is now a complex of offices and shops, and a new high rise condominium tower adjoins the original building on the east.

Maude Bowman

Few dedicated members of three organizations of enthusiastic amateurs-the Art Association, Edmonton Art Club, and Fine and Applied Arts Committee of the Local Council of Women-met in the studio of Edmonton’s only professional artist, William Johnstone, in November. They discussed the idea of starting an art museum. Maude Bowman of the Local Council of Women suggested to the Edmonton Art Club the establishment of a permanent art collection for the community.

Judge Lucien Dubuc

Lucien Dubuc was the son of Manitoba Chief Justice Sir Joseph Dubuc and he arrived in Edmonton to practice law at the turn of the century. By 1920 he had been appointed to the district court bench the beginning of a career that culminated in his appointment as Chief Justice of northern Alberta. He became the first judge in Alberta to allow proceedings in French in 1924.

Nellie McClung

Nellie L. McClung (1873-1951), novelist, journalist, suffragette and temperance worker. She was a member of the Alberta legislature, the only woman on the Dominion War Council, and the first woman on the CBC Board of Governors

Abraham Cristall

The Jewish presence in Edmonton goes back 117 years, when Abraham Cristall and his wife Rebecca became the communitys first Jewish settlers in the autumn of 1893. They moved into a house on the eastern side of the Hudsons Bay Reserve, near 95th Street. As other Jewish newcomers arrived, they settled near the Cristalls.

Dedication

A holocaust dedication memorial on legislature grounds is not far from the Terrace building.

The Pioneer Ole Holmsten – Storyteller, Statue outside of Royal Alberta Museum

Artist: Harry Wolfarth. Located south of the former Provincial Archives building (now the southwest wing of the Museum), this welded steel and brazed bronze statue stands on a pedestal of fi eldstones. It was dedicated as a gift to the people of Alberta by the German-Canadian Association to honour pioneer immigrants of Germanic descent.

Emily Murphy

Emily Murphy (located in Emily Murphy Park) – the five-foot eight-inch, 450-pound bronze statue created by Donna Marchyshyn was unveiled September 12, 1992. Emily Ferguson Murphy was a famous female activist best known for fighting with the British Privy Council to have women declared “persons.” Murphy was also the first woman to be appointed a police magistrate and judge and played a key role in the passage of the 1911 Dower Act, which gave women the right to one-third of their husbands’ estates.

The Rescue

The statue represents the ultimate role of a firefighter; that of saving lives. The firefighter is dressed in protective clothing representative of the pre 1980 era, keeping with the historical character of Old Strathcona. The Statue was created by Danek Mozdzenski, a local sculptor.

George Francis Hustler

Community activist and ordained Methodist minister was Principal at Bennett school working tirelessly to help the impoverished residents of Cloverdale. During his 21 years at Bennett School he led 26 school and community sports teams to city schampionships.

The Ukranian Pioneer Centenial Monument
This monument was dedicated to the Ukrainian people that settled in Canada over 100 years ago. There is a significant Ukrainian population in the area of Edmonton, Alberta. Location: Legislative grounds of Alberta, west of reflective pool.

Catching Neutrinos
This sculpture “Catching Neutrinos” is was sponsored by the Edmonton Journal and captures stories that made headlines in Edmonton, Alberta.

By Zdenko Kahlina

Fond memories of Edmonton’s past
Edmonton has been my home base or home city for a several decades now. I moved here from Croatia with my family in 1989. So, I do remember some of the old things mentioned here.

Edmonton… not that long ago 

But many older Edmontonians definitely remember a lot more than me and here is an extract of their memories:

Remember when gas was .35 cents a liter–and when it went up to .40 thinking it was time to park the car! This was in 1990!! I remember when a nice person would come out and pump from the bowser for you and ask if you wanted your oil checked. (I always did, because it was the only way it was ever checked.)

I remember when Manulife II had shops in it. Dania Down Quilts is one that springs to mind. There used to be the best place for baklava and Turkish pizza in the food court in ML II.

I remember coming from the south side up any hill and seeing cranes everywhere. (Oh wait this view is back, yeah!)

I remember when the Edmonton Bay building actually had a Hudsons Bay Store in it.

I remember when driving out to the International Airport seemed to take forever and the highlight was the grain elevator at Ellerslie with the quote John 3:16 “for God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son.” I miss that grain elevator.

I remember when the Rat Hole was a dark and wet way to traverse 109 Street—it was unique and a hoot to drive though.

Rat Hole 

The Rathole was the tunnel along 109 St which ran underneath the CN Lands. That tunnel was not removed until 2000, and quite a few large trucks end up getting stuck there. It also flooded rather easily during heavy rainstorms. Because the Rathole was built around WWI, or shortly thereafter, it obviously wasn’t designed to handle late 20th Century traffic.

I remember when travelling and mentioning that I was from Edmonton (…Alberta…Canada) drew blank stares and then the question how close to Toronto, Vancouver etc. inevitably followed. WEM helped change that and the World Games and the Masters and the Grand Prix…and the fact that Edmonton truly is the best city, in the best province in the best country in the world. WEM was a dream and a fight.

I remember when you used to say this and it rang hollow—no more. Edmonton truly is a first class city and I wonder what people will say twenty years from now—what will they remember…how will Edmonton circa 2020 be remembered as?

I remember living on the SE edge of Millwoods and not seeing any houses there. I remember when Millwoods town centre was still known as “the new mall”.

I remember when travelling to West Edmonton Mall there were traffic lights and trains to stop for because the Whitemud didn’t exist.

I remember when a ride on the ETS cost me $.80

Old City hall 

I remember when the Milner Library wasn’t known as the Milner Library and when there were just concrete steps there instead of a Second Cup.

Edmonton International Speedway with cars lined up on the grid

Edmonton 82^nd Avenue

I also remember…

When Westmount Mall was “new” and the Misericordia hospital was in a field.

Going to a drive in movie at the St. Albert Drive in and seeing Roadrunner cartoons. Eating Klondike burgers too….before there was a Village tree mall.

Parkland drive in. Twin drive in and the movie Poltergiest.

Highway 16X was a gravel road, then the twinning. Now it is just 16.

The “new” LRT.

My days in the crew room and in the jump seat flying into YXD – and how PWA was a family then… including the hockey teams.

Centennial Mall and that copper fountain – I cut myself on it.

The intersection/overpass on 170th and SP road. Now we have the intersection from h3ll.

What’s a Wal Mart? Is that a Woolco?

High Level Bridge 

I remember when….
-         Television anchor people would dress up in Klondike garb during Klondike Days.

-         Bonnie Doon and Southgate (plus probably others) malls would set up a mini gold panning scene in the middle of the shopping centre so kids can win little prizes.

-         Drive-thru pick for groceries at Woodwards. 

-         The only thing open on Sundays was drugstores and mom-and-pop stores.  

-         Lining up for over 30 minutes to buy booze at ALCB liquor stores during Christmas. And paying over $20/case to buy off-sales beer at the Strat. 

Arial view of Clarke Stadium

Oh, the memories… 
-          When there was an RV campground at 51 Ave and 99 St.

-          When an oil derrick just south of 51 Ave welcomed motorists into the city.

-          When you entered St. Albert by reaching the bottom of the hill, travelling south on Hwy 2.

-          When Leons and that old drive-in theatre off 137 Ave was in the middle of nowhere.

-          When it took 45 minutes to drive down Jasper Ave on a Saturday night.

-          When the A & B Sound on 106 St downtown was an ALCB store.

-          When that same area of downtown was full of derelict warehouses and teeming with homeless people, drug dealers and hookers.

-          When the Allard Block on Jasper and 112 St was a gravel parking lot with some colorful trailer permanently parked at the far end (can’t remember what its purpose was).

-          When one could drive north on the High Level Bridge.

-          When the west side of 109 St downtown was a rail yard with just an A&W and a CPR building.

-          When the Princess Theatre on Whyte was a porn theatre (I could be wrong about this but that was the impression I had as a teenager).

-          When the crossroads of Hwys 2 and 16 was the intersections of Kingsway and 109 St, plus 109 St and 111 Ave.

-          When YEG was just a perfunctory bus stop for jets.

-          When there were only 2 flights into the US.

-          When YXD had that ugly yellow interior to greet you as you got off the plane and into the baggage pickup.

-          When it was called Mayfair Park, not Hawrelak Park.

-          Edmonton police cars were colored light yellow and white which made them look like scrambled eggs.

-          Playgrounds had monkey bars and merry-go-rounds.

-          There was a Safeway every six blocks and a bank every seven blocks.

-          Us little kids telling dad to honk his horn whenever we drove through the rathole.

-          Watching Star Wars five times one summer at the Odeon Theatre, where the Likwid Lounge occupies today on Jasper ave.

-          The “robot lady” speaking gibberish on a downtown street corner with the old preacher guy standing near her.

Low level bridge and hotel Macdonald 

I remember when what is now the Globe was a funeral home that went through a long string of failed nightclubs, including a Club Malibu and a relocated Senor Frogs. And these days even the Globe is gone forever…

I remember other old and long-gone night-time haunts from the late 80′s and 1990s: Senor Frogs across from the Tin Palace, Goose Loonies, Denny Andrews’ American Bar, Chase, Thunderdome, Barry T’s, Cocktail Club, Bocas, Greenhouse. That was back in the days when clubs were scattered all over the city instead of concentrated in one area (Whyte, WEM, downtown).

I remember the VIA Rail train station when it was downtown.

I remember when CP Rail had their passenger terminal where the Iron Horse is now.

I remember YXD (aka the Municipal Airport and later, Edmonton City Centre Airport) and what it was like on the inside before it closed in the mid-1990s. I used to fly to GP out of there a lot, and I remember that the departure lounge post-security didn’t have any washrooms. And that there was this neat restaurant/bar with large windows to watch the planes from. (Wish YEG had something like that, too!!)

There was the Happy Pop and Pop Shoppe line of pops, which I loved when I was a kid.

Jasper Avenue looking east from 103 st., taken in the mid-Fifties.

Jasper Avenue looking west from 103 st.

I used to go to drive-ins with my foster family in my foster dad’s 70s-era blue GMC van once in a while. Can’t remember where the drive-ins were located, though – I was just a young kid at the time.

I remember how CN had those railroads running right through where Oliver Square and the GMCC Downtown Campus, and there was a flyover (105 St) there as well.

As a part of an urban planning course at NAIT, I was studying the land now occupied by Railtown, Save-On and the strip mall, etc. was a completely empty eyesore, as well as that train bridge which used to go over Jasper Avenue. At one point during the early ’90s, a strip mall was proposed but fell through and had me wondering if ANYTHING would ever go up there before the end of the century.

My foster mother used to work as a secretary in the old City Hall, which was built in 1957, and I was inside it several times.

I remember when there was a Woolworth and a restaurant across it often occupied to the hilt by seniors in the basement level of Edmonton Centre where the underground car parkade now sits. I also remember when there was an Eaton’s instead of the Bay in Eaton Centre (City Centre Mall West) and that downtown Edmonton actually had two Bay stores.

I remember how the Cecil Hotel, now the future site of Sobey’s, was surrounded by creeps, bums, drunks and the like and how cops frequently got called there. And the Warehouse district was also worse off than it is today.

I remember how CFRN TV had that cartoon of a stereotypical Native Canadian boy with feathers as a “mascot” (Mind you, this was before the Age of Political Correctness), and its logo. And there was ITV before it became Global TV.

CFRN was in the middle of nowhere.

The Journal had the Bub Slug comic series in its Saturday comics, with that burly construction guy with the fat nose and his family in Edmonton. I remember when Heritage Mall was alive and well before it died. It had an interesting mall interior – lots of those diagonal wood planks typical of the ’70s.

Winter – Jasper Ave. November 1891.

Jasper Avenue east circa 1900.

Jasper Avenue looking west circa 1900.

Jasper Avenue looking west circa 1900.

Source: C2E portal

http://www.connect2edmonton.ca/forum/index.php

Source: C2E Portal
Rail travel in Edmonton
The CN office tower in Edmonton presides over an abandoned rail yard that’s now being converted into yet another one of the many condo developments that are cropping up around the city in its most recent boom.

CN Tower – well known symbol of Edmonton downtown 

My home town is littered with the detritus of the sporadic booms and busts it encountered in the latter half of the twentieth century. When I was growing up, I’d visit my father’s downtown office and look down upon this building and the old city hall (a similarly modern building, since demolished).

At that time, the tower was falling apart. Once western Canada’s tallest building, its white marble facade was falling apart. The building had seen better days, and in the nineties it underwent revitalization, replacing the outer siding with an acrylic substitute.

Edmonton CN Tower was built in the 60’s

CN Tower Edmonton today

While once I viewed the building as a dingy cast off from an earlier era, I think it is one of my favorite buildings in Edmonton today. Unlike the modern condominiums poised to surround it, the Edmonton CN Tower represents a reclaimed architectural heritage.

The CN Tower is an office tower in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. It stands at 111 m (364 ft) with 26 floors. The building was designed by Abugov & Sunderland and was completed in 1966. At the time, it was the tallest building in Western Canada. It was also the first skyscraper in Edmonton to exceed the 100-metre limit and its reign as the city’s tallest building lasted from 1966 to 1971. Until 2008, it was owned by the Canadian National Railway Company which occupied 13 floors. It is now owned by Tawa International, Inc..

Built to overlook the old Canadian National rail yard, the tower’s basement once housed Edmonton’s main passenger railway station, until the Canadian National railway tracks leading to Downtown Edmonton were removed in 1998. Since then, passenger trains serving Edmonton have stopped at the Edmonton Railway Station situated near the Edmonton City Centre Airport.

The CN Tower suffered structural damage to the exterior on July 18, 2009 during a violent thunderstorm. Two vehicles were crushed by the falling debris at the base of the building.

The CN Tower, when it was built in 1966, was the tallest office building in Western Canada. It was sold by CN some years ago and the Company has been leasing back space in the building. By the mid-1990s, CN occupied half (13 floors) of the 26-storey tower, but a “change to its business model,” which became evident once American E. Hunter Harrison took control of the Company as President and CEO from Paul Tellier in 2002, has seen downtown-based jobs and departments slowly moving to existing office space at Walker Yard.  Coupled with years of downsizing, by the time 2008 rolled around, CN occupied only a few floors of what was once the heart of its Western Canada operations.

The building was the workplace for thousands of CAW Local 4001/Council 4000. CAW Agreement 5.1 members were employed in various departments that called the CN Tower home over the years, including Car Management; Customer Service; Employee Relations; Engineering; Fleet Management; Human Resources; Mailroom; Revenue and Accounting; Safety and Loss Control; Signals and Communications; Supply Management and Transportation.

The “Tower,” as it was affectionately known by CN Edmonton-based employees, was a railway Mecca in the City of Edmonton. Just below all of CN’s activities was the VIA Rail Station at the base of the tower, once a stopping point for the famous Canadian and Trans-Continental passenger trains that crossed Canada. VIA is also long gone.

The VIA Station is now located adjacent the west-side of the City Centre Airport on 121 Street and just south of CN’s Walker Car Shop.

As in most other Canadian cities, Edmonton’s downtown rail yards, which eastern leg of the yard started at the CN Tower and ran west alongside 104 Avenue, has been converted to commercial developments, apartments, condominiums and Grant MacEwen College, which is Alberta’s largest college.

The City of Edmonton is now a major tenant in the building, with Edmonton’s City Hall conveniently located just across 104 Street from the CN Tower.

Nobody knows whether the large CN logo, which glows off-and-on from all four sides at offsetting times from atop of the tower, lighting up the city’s sky, will be taken down or remain in tact where its been a landmark since 1966.

Facts
2500 feet of neon tubing were used in the four original “CN” logos at the top of the tower. The original exterior vertical lined white marble facade began to deteriorate in the 1980s. For safety and aesthetic reasons, it was replaced in 1991 with an acrylic material for $2.1 million.

At the time of completion it was western Canada’s tallest office tower.Prior to construction, CN threatened to cut the building’s size by 13 floors if the City of Edmonton didn’t agree to lease three floors.The design was chosen from a competition of six. CN had intended to construct a CN Tower II tower of 42 floors in 1969.

FROM CORNERSTONE…. to corner gas?

CN Tower 

The new Via rail train station in Edmonton 

…and this is some of what we were apparently tired of…

Here you could buy train tickets to anywhere within Canada

Very spacious front desk area

Baggage check in area

Magazine store in the building

CN Tower was completed in 1966

I was there several times. The pictures look better in black & white, I remember it being dimly lit and kind of yellowish and dingy towards the end. It was in the basement so there were no windows.

It’s an abysmal move for Edmonton to have a Viarail station out in the middle of nowhere and unserviced. Anybody visiting Edmonton via train must wonder what they are getting themselves in for.

The Freight trains had already veered north. The downtown train yards were closed. Viarail was the only train headed downtown and only 3/week in each direction. The likelihood being unless you were looking for it you’d never see it.

As indicated in the thread many people didn’t even know there was a train station there. You had a better chance spotting the Via Rail train driving by it on the Yellowhead.

Trains make a lot of sense for moving large numbers of people, and train travel done right is a true pleasure. Unfortunately I don’t think we have enough large numbers of people all coming and going from the same places in this part of the country to make it work.

http://www.connect2edmonton.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=19796

Edmonton panorama

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Source: The Edmonton Radial Railway Society’s
 
Early in 1903 the engineers of the Calgary and Edmonton Railway (C & ER), which had reached Strathcona in 1891, began surveys for a possible crossing of the North Saskatchewan River to reach Edmonton. In early May of 1903 the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) purchased the C & ER so any new railroad bridge would be built by CPR.

First train crossing CPR High Level Bridge at Edmonton. Source: Provincial Archives of Alberta, Archives Collection No. B.3618. 

Construction of the Edmonton High Level Bridge commenced in 1910, with the final girder in place in 1913. The train shown crossing the bridge is drawn after a photo by Ernest Brown titled “First train to cross the CPR High Level Bridge at Edmonton,” probably taken in June of 1913. The deck at the top of the structure carried three tracks; the centre for trains, the two outside for electric streetcars. The road deck was located twenty feet below, with two sidewalks eight feet wide supported on cantilever brackets.

Negotiations among CPR, Edmonton, Strathcona and Alberta were lengthy and it was not until November 30, 1909 that an agreement was signed. Initial plans called merely for a railway bridge but Strathcona pushed for a combined rail and road bridge. The final agreement included a road and sidewalk deck below the railroad and streetcar deck.

Picture: Provincial Archives of Alberta, B3311

The erecting traveler that moves on the rails at the extreme edge of the top deck of The High Level Bridge has completed the bridge framework to the last concrete pier on the north bank of the North Saskatchewan River. The five wooden false work supports between piers three and four support the steel until all rivets are in place to hold the steel framework together.

Construction for the 62 foundations of the land piers and four river piers began on August 14, 1910. Construction of the piers was completed in 1911 and erection of the steel commenced almost immediately from the south side. Early in 1913 the steel reached the north side. On June 2, 1913 the first CPR passenger train steamed into Edmonton over the newly completed structure. The first streetcar crossed the bridge on August 11, 1913.

A CPR steam train traverses the High Level Bridge on its way to Calgary. ©Allan Muir Collection,

Some interesting numbers

Final cost: exceeded $2 million

Length: 755 m (2,478 ft)

Width: 13 m (43 ft)

Steel: approximately 1 million ft

Rivets: almost 1.4 million

Concrete: 25 thousand barrels

Paint: 22,750 liters (5,000 gallons)

Top deck: approximately 49 m (160 ft) above water level.

©Provincial Archives of Alberta, GS193/2  

Edmonton 40 starts across The High Level Bridge northbound on the “wrong side”. As a safety measure the streetcars crossed over to the “opposite” side at each end of the bridge so that if a car failed or some other emergency arose, passengers could exit from the doors on the right side of the car on to the bridge deck rather than into empty space! The narrow pair of rails in the center of each of the three tracks are safety rails to prevent cars from leaving the bridge deck in a derailment.

High level bridge these days

High level bridge these days

High level bridge these days

Streetcar traffic across the bridge was terminated on September 1, 1951 with the abandonment of the streetcar system. After a few years, the streetcar tracks across the bridge were removed, while the railway track saw further use until the 1980s. Luckily, it was never lifted and serves today as right-of-way for the High Level Bridge Streetcar service provided by the Edmonton Radial Railway Society. Furthermore, the disused poles for the overhead wires were left in situ too; at present they are holding the span wires for the re-erected overhead.

Streetcar still goes across the High level Bridge

Museum streetcar service across the bridge from Strathcona to Grandin started in 1997 with an extension opened to Jasper Avenue in 2005. The service operates from May until October and carries close to 50,000 passengers per year.

Streetcar getting onto the bridge from south side

Source: http://www.edmonton-radial-railway.ab.ca/streetcarhistory/highlevelbridgehistory/

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If you’ve got a comment or opinion you’d like to share, send me an email or fill the comment fields bellow, with only requirements your name and email address. I might just publish you in glorious pixilated black & white! Comments may be edited for grammar, spelling and length, or just to make them better.

Submit your own stories for the Zdenko’s Corner about rides, granfondos, having a good time traveling and/or cycling, Croatian cycling history, etc. All stories are very welcome. There are more than 400 stories already in this blog. The search feature at the top right, works best for finding subjects in the blog. There is also translating button at the top of every story so you can translate each page to language of your choice.

Send your comments to: zdenko@zkahlina.ca

Source: C2E Portal
 Edmonton Historic Building Tour 
The majority of surviving heritage structures were born at about the same time as Edmonton itself. This means that most have just reached, or are about to reach their centenary soon. As you may notice from the following photos, the building material of choice in those days was plain red brick, however, there are a few structures which incorporate larger masonry blocks in whole or in part. As promised long time ago, here’s a final round 4 of Edmonton’s downtown core and area. Thanks to Sonic Death Monkey and Green Grovenor, I have been made aware of another source of historical information: Lawrence Herzog’s collection of ‘It’s Our Heritage’ columns which are available online.

Downtown Core Part 4.

1881 School
Address: Located in park next to McKay Avenue School
Year: Ummm, 1881

This is the first ‘official’ school in Alberta. After the McKay Avenue School was opened, this structure was sold and moved down the hill to the river valley. The house was almost lost in the floods of 1915, but survived after someone tethered it to a large tree. The building was later moved to its present site, and serves as a living museum. Note the teacher in period costume, and the outhouse.

First Presbyterian Church
Address: 10025 105 Street.
Year: 1911

This large, gothic inspired church has seating for 1200 worshipers.

H. V. Shaw Building
Address: 10229 105th Street
Year: 1914

Once home to the Edmonton Cigar Factory, which employed 35 people and produced over a million cigars per year. Today the building (plus addition) houses a microbrewery, who’s future is currently up in the air.

Canadian Consolidated Rubber Company Warehouse
Address: 10249 104 Street.
Year: 1913

This building was built on the foundations of the Kerr building, which was destroyed by fire the same year. Today, it is known as the Cobogo Lofts.

Revillon Building/Ross Brothers Warehouse
Address: 10310 102 Avenue.
Year: 1912/1910

These two buildings were connected in the 1980s by a large glass atrium and renamed the Boardwalk Market, an interesting mixed use facility which houses retail, offices, an inner-city high school, and restaurants.

Metals Building
Address: 104 Street at 102 Avenue.
Year: 1914

This building was built for Calgary’s Metals Limited which dealt in plumbing supplies, cast-iron fixtures, steel fabrications, mining equipment and related materials. At one time there was a rail spur to the back of the building. Today the building houses offices and a restaurant on the ground floor.

Phillips Building
Address: 10169 104 Street
Year: 1912

This building was originallt buit to be a storage warehouse, and as such, was built using the latest 1912 technology in fireproofing. The building has undergone several changes of ownership and purpose, and was eventually converted for work/live lofts.

Armstrong Block
Address: 10127 104 Street.
Year: 1912

The Armstrong Block is an interesting early example of mixed use facilities. The main floor housed retail, upstairs was offices, and the top floor contained living suites. Today the building houses retail and residential suites.

Bonus shots of Enterprise Square (Hudsons Bay Company Building) details.

Lemarchand Mansion
Address: 11523 100 Avenue
Year: 1911

Designed and appointed to become the ‘finest’ apartment house in Edmonton, the Lemarchand Mansion was constructed in Beax-Arts style and is one of only a handful of local buildings with dentils (Previously featured McLoud Building and CIBC building are two). The exterior is classic red brick from the second story up, and the faux ‘stonework’ on the bottom floor is actually concrete.

Interiors included fireplaces, marble floors, and oak paneling, to ensure the proper class of tenants. The buildings floorplate is shaped as an ‘H’, to maximize the suites number of exterior windows.

The building was converted to condo suites in 2003, and there are now professional offices on the lower floors. The Lemarchand Tower was added directly east in 1977.

Entrance of Lemarchand Tower, next door

If you want another good resource, check out the “It’s Our Heritage” columns in Real Estate Weekly:
http://www.rewedmonton.ca/content_li…_CATEGORY_ID=4

I wish they’d sort the articles in some logical order, like by publishing date.

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Gotta Comment?

If you’ve got a comment or opinion you’d like to share, send me an email or fill the comment fields bellow, with only requirements your name and email address. I might just publish you in glorious pixelated black & white! Comments may be edited for grammar, spelling and length, or just to make them better.

Send your comments to: zdenko@zkahlina.ca

Source: C2E Forum
As promised long time ago, here’s round 3 of Edmonton’s downtown core and area.
Thanks to Sonic Death Monkey and Green Grovenor, I have been made aware of another source of historical information: Lawrence Herzog’s collection of ‘It’s Our Heritage’ columns which are available online.  

Edmonton Historic Building Tour – Downtown Core 
The majority of surviving heritage structures were born at about the same time as Edmonton itself. This means that most have just reached, or are about to reach their centenary soon. As you may notice from the following photos, the building material of choice in those days was plain red brick, however, there are a few structures which incorporate larger masonry blocks in whole or in part.  

The Kelly-Ramsey block has been sitting vacant and derelict ever since it was damaged in an arson fire last March.
   Ramsey Building

  

Kelly Building fire damage   

The Kelly-Ramsey block has been sitting vacant and derelict ever since it was damaged in an arson fire last March.
 Ramsey Building

 

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Address: 10120? Jasper Ave.
Year: 1929

 Opened just a few months before the stock market crash that led to the great depression, this building is another great example of classical detailing. The building sits on the northwest corner of Jasper Ave. and 101 Street, which puts it at the very epicenter of Edmonton itself. Around 1994 talk began about replacing the aging structure with a modern design, but fortunately, CIBC put up over eight million dollars to give the building a second life.

  

  

Alberta College and Conservatory of Music
Address: 10000 block 101 Street.
Year: 1903

This portion of the entry facade is all that’s left of the original building. Alberta College predates the city, and indeed the province, and is the oldest post-secondary school still operating in the province. The new building, built in the 1980s, has a MacDonald Drive address, and can be seen in the background.

 McDougall United Church
Address: 100086 101 Street.
Year: 1910

The namesake of Methodist Reverend George McDougall, this is the third such ‘McDougall Church’, as the congregation quickly outgrew the first two churches. This space was the first home of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and Edmonton Opera Company. The church holds small, intimate concerts to this day, as well as the usual Sunday services.

  

The Old Citadel
Address: 10030 102 Street.
Year: 1925 

Built for the Salvation Army, and later occupied by a live theatre troupe who took the name from the building. After the Citadel Theatre moved to its new digs, the building housed a series of live music vanues and bars: The Bronx, The Rev, Lush, and now The Starlite Room. Music afficionados may be interested to know that Nirvana once performed here for about 20 warm bodies in the early 1990s before they broke big. No, I wasn’t there (still a minor at the time), but my brother still has a ticket stub. He tells me that he and his friends payed the $7 cover because they wanted to drink there. 

 

Freemasons’ Hall
Address: 10318 100 Avenue.
Year: 1931 

One of the few gothic inspired buildings in Edmonton, this was to be a functional and inspirational structure for the Masonic Order. The brick and stone is local product. The building holds an auditorium, kitchen, banquet room, offices, and lodge rooms. 

 

Gariepy House
Address: 9947 104 Street.
Year: 1902  

Joseph Gariepy moved to Edmonton from Montreal in 1893 and made his fortune in retail and real estate. He served a short time as alderman and school board trustee. He built and lived in this house from 1902 til 1923. In 1926 a large east wing called Rosary Hall was constructed and the building was used as a convent.  

 Closeup of turret
  McKay Avenue School
Address: 10425 99 Avenue.
Year: 1904  

Note to stone carvers: Double check your spelling. The man and road this school was named for was William MacKay. Attempts to correct the mistake have been disallowed for heritage reasons. This is Edmonton’s oldest remaining brick school, and now houses the Edmonton Public School’s museum and archives. A visit inside is recommended, there are classrooms done up in period detail for several different decades. The top floor also has period detail for the first Alberta Legislative Assembly, which took place here from 1905-07 while the Legislature Building (To be featured later) was under construction.  

   I hope you liked this round of pictures taken in Edmonton’s downtown core and surrounding area. One more tour is forthcoming very soon… 

By: Emil Tiedemann

Edmonton’s Independent Cinema showcases alternative films seven days a week…
I know what you’re thinking, that what could the Princess Theatre possibly bring to the table that’s any different from all those multi-plex movie theatres sprawled throughout the city?

Princess Theatre on Whyte Avenue

The truth is, the Famous Players and Cineplex showrooms offer much more than the twin-screen Princess ever could, but that isn’t always a good thing. Sure, the multi-plex’s host like a dozen screens, can offer the IMAX experience (Scotiabank Theatre @ West Edmonton Mall), and are equipped with fancy seating areas, mini-arcades and, in one particular case, a fire-breathing dragon (again, Scotiabank), but daunting crowds, raised ticket prices (about $13-$18), and a lack of smaller, indie and foreign films are just some of the things you’ll have to put up with when you walk through the doors of these giant chain theatres. But, to each his own, right?!

Much like the Garneau Theatre (8712-109 St.), the Princess is a small, limited screen movie palace that has called Edmonton home for many years. In fact, it’s the city’s oldest movie theatre still standing, opening its doors for the first time on March 8, 1915 as “the largest stage in western Canada.” But its fare was a lot different in those early days, as it hosted high-class vaudeville and musical concerts. The first commercial film that was ever shown at the Princess was The Eagle’s Mate (1914), which starred Canadian icon Mary Pickford.

The original 638-seat palace was established by John Wellington McKernan, who hired the local Wilson & Herald architectural firm to design the “small but lavish” movie house, which included white B.C. marble on its 3-story face. Even after McKernan had succumbed to the Spanish flu epidemic in 1918, his family continued operating the Princess up until 1957, after which it had become the first Edmonton theatre to show a talking motion picture. It was also the city’s only theatre on the Southside right up until 1939.

It wasn’t long after new owners took over in ’57 that the Princess experienced a downfall, soon closing its doors to allow its space to be used to sell retail. By 1970 Towne Cinema Ltd. bought the structure and renovated it, reopening it as Klondike Cinema, soon switching from second run films to adult movies. The Old Strathcona Foundation leased the theatre in 1978, then purchased it in 1982, eventually restoring it to its former glory, becoming a leading art house for years. A second screen (Princess II) was added in the basement of the 94-year-old building, in 1999.

Last Wednesday a buddy and I decided to check out one of the alternative films that make the theatre special to the Edmonton region, as they famously show films that no other theatre in town will, excluding its cousin the Garneau, which is located just off of Whyte Ave. The movie was a sci-fi thriller called Moon (read my review here), which was the directorial debut for David Bowie‘s son Duncan Jones. It starred Sam Rockwell and featured the voice of Kevin Spacey, star of my all-time favorite film, American Beauty (1999).

Unfortunately, you cannot purchase your tickets much in advance–about a half-hour at the earliest–and online purchasing is out of the question. Immediately after you walk through the old-school wooden-glass doors you’re welcomed by the ticket booth to your left. The tickets, which are those tiny square stubs you can buy in giant rolls at any dollar store, are only $10, and no GST!

After the young lady took my ten bucks for Moon, she hurried over to the food vendor to take our order there as well. “You look familiar,” I told her, before I ordered a pair of large Cokes ($3.50), skipping out on the popcorn this time. There isn’t a huge selection of snacks available at the Princess, but who comes to the movies for the food anyways?

Behind us, directly across from the snack area, was shelving units that offered local publications (SEE, Vue, etc.) free for the taking, as well as reviews of the now-playing movies clipped from local newspapers and tacked onto a bulletin board, in addition to a box of free movie posters! After the patrons made their way down from the last showing, we climbed the stairs to the balcony area, which “fills” up much quicker than the lower seating section. We took our seats amongst the 617 that are available at the neo-classical venue, as my buddy pulled out a pack of licorice that he snuck in! As usual, the movie started a tad bit later than the scheduled showtime, but there were no complaints.

One of the best things about the Princess (not to be confused with the now-closed theatre on Jasper Ave.) is that once the movie ends you can make your way downstairs and head out to the bustling Whyte Ave., which boasts a nightlife unlike anywhere else in the capital region. In fact, we had downed a rum & Coke next door at Blues on Whyte just before we bought our tickets. This is the allure of the historical theatre, that and its old-fashioned feel, where true movie fans can go and take in the films that don’t need the over-zealous exposure to impress audiences.

The Rundown:
Location: 10337-82 ave. NW
Phone: 780-433-0728/ 780-439-9100
Hours: Depends on showtimes

More blogs from Emil Tiedemann can be found here:

http://www.iheartedmonton.com/

By: Zdenko Kahlina
 At this time of a year it might be a good thing to remind yourself on nice and warm weather we have had here during the summer and forget for a moment on showeling the snow. Last summer my wife and I were enjoying some great weather during the Fringe festival and were walking along the Whyte Avenue.

Whyte Avenue is a great place to walk, window shop (or really shop), and do some people watching. If you need a break, stop for a latte at one of the many coffeehouses. An abandoned railway line runs parallel to Whyte Avenue, and from May through September, you can hop on board the Old Strathcona Street Car, which will take you for a scenic ride across the river and back. 

The historic old post office building 

Whyte Avenue is the main street on Edmonton’s south side in a district called Old Strathcona. Strathcona became a settlement on the south side of the river in1891.

Corner of Whyte and 104 Street: very popular and busy area 

Whyte Avenue going East 

It became a town in 1899 and a city in 1907. Strathcona amalgamated with Edmonton in 1912. The historical ambience has been retained, prompting the province to give it Provincial Historical Area status in 2007. Watch for the new banners and interpretative signs.

New trend: creating patios on the sidewalks 

New trend: people everywhere 

Commercial hotel on Whyte 

People watching on Whyte Avenue
The area is quite popular with young and old. The streets are loaded with trendy, quaint boutiques next to major players like Chapters and Second Cup.  There are more than 600 businesses and services in the area. The largest retail sector is fashion. Over 54 clothing shops are included in the more than 100 fashion stores. Health and wellness services range from traditional doctors offices to acupuncture, homeopaths, health foods, massage therapists and exercise options. Businesses that support specific values cluster here. Fair trade, the environment, vegetarian and organic are some of the options.

Old Dominion hotel and a very popular eatery 

The best ice cream in town

Whyte Avenue: promenade for bikes and car enthusiasts

Head west on Whyte, and you will hit the University of Alberta, where you can stroll through the pretty campus, visit the Edwardian-style Rutherford House , home of Alberta’s first premier, and check out Hub Mall, a unique student residence and shopping complex.

European Bistro in the Heart of Old Strathcona: Block 1912

Parallel to Whyte Avenue and the railway line, along the top river valley, is Saskatchewan Drive, where you can stroll, take photos from the many lookout points, and enjoy a peaceful moment resting on a bench and taking in the downtown skyline. There are several paths that lead down from here to the river valley trails.

The arts are showcased in the businesses and the many celebrations. Music is a full circle industry here. Learn to play an instrument, buy instruments, record music, buy recorded music and play or party in the clubs. The Yardbird Suite is one of the best jazz clubs in Canada and the Blues on Whyte offers live blues seven days a week. Drop in for the Saturday afternoon jam. More than 20 venues offer live music. The Strathcona Performing Arts Centre and the Transalta ArtsBarns are venues for many concerts and shows.

Walking down the Whyte Avenue is a journey into the past.

Old Princess Theatre

Live theatre is alive and well in Old Strathcona. More than nine live theatre companies operate year round in the Old Strathcona Theatre District. Award winning improv is showcased in the world’s longest running live soap opera; Die Nasty on Monday nights. Theatre Sports and Chimprov, from Rapid Fire Theatre, offer shorter improv shows. Improvanganza is an international improv festival held here in June. Check the calendar on www.oldstrathcona.ca. Theatre festivals include North America’s largest Fringe Theatre Festival. Every August, more than 500,000 people come through the gates to see live theatre indoors and outdoors.

With 78 restaurants and cafes, Old Strathcona offers choices of many different ethnic foods, fast food and pub food. The cafes are great meeting places. Old Strathcona won SEE Magazine’s award for the “Best Place to People Watch”. In the summer time, the patios are create seating all over the sidewalks and rooftops.

When Pigs Fly: Great Gifts, Local Artisan Pottery. 

Playing accordion on the street 

People watching is very popular on the Whyte Avenue 

Parking along the street is metered at a rate of $2.50.hr. during the day. Payment is not required after 6:00 p.m., on Sundays or holidays. There are public parking lots just off Whyte Avenue. South Scona Parking is at 8011 -105 Street, across from The Keg Restaurant. The parking lot has an attendant. This is a good option for shoppers who want to wander or anyone who wants to spend quality time at a show, restaurant, festival or club. 

Cruising White Avenue

Any kind of bar or club is yours to have in Old Strathcona. I recommend:
O’Byrnes (10616 Whyte Ave) is great in the early evening, not too crowded, and you can get a good spot on the patio. After 9pm it gets crowded with young people and noisy. The second floor has lots of comfortable couches and chairs, which are great for the long haul. The food is usual Irish pub fare and the beer selection is vast.

The Savoy (10401 Whyte Ave.; 438-0373) is good if you want to hear yourself talk and hear others. It also offers elegant food, great ambience, and a great location.

The Next Act (8224 104 St.) is next to the main theater district a block away from Whyte Ave. It’s casual and has a great patio, but it’s small. It’s the quintessential Thespian hangout. There’s a nice selection of food and drinks.

Don Wheaton South Park car dealership: the oldest in town

First Army & Navy Department store opened on Whyte

To my astonishment there are new signs (at least new to me) that show no biking, rollerblading or skate boarding on Whyte. I can understand this move as these forms of multi-modal forms of transportation are too invasive for the pedestrian traffic typical to Whyte ave; however, with the vehicle dominate design and a lack of bike lanes (or other types multi-modal traffic) is very disheartening as a citizen who doesn’t always just walk on Whyte. I would love to hear what the city’s intention is with Whyte, or any other thought son the matter.

Take a historic neighborhood, add dozens of different venues, stir in performers from  

From guitars and yoga gear to shoes and gumbo, Old Strathcona’s trendiest street caters to the fashionistas, health fanatics, casual shoppers and everyone alive.

Hudsons Canadian Tap House: great place to party

By: Zdenko Kahlina
Ride into history.
Do you know that Edmonton has its own street car? Last summer during the Fringe festival, because of the parking problem in Old Strathcona, my wife and I decided to ride the streetcar.

Edmonton’s streetcar – Model “Melbourne #930”

In case you didn’t know, Edmonton streetcar goes from the south of Jasper Avenue and west of 109 Street, over the High Level Bridge, all the way to 85^th Avenue and 103 Street (Gateway Blvd) in Old Strathcona. When streetcars ran over Edmonton’s High Level Bridge between 1913 and the closure of the system in 1951, they gave passengers one of the most spectacular streetcar rides on the continent. However, the tracks on the bridge were taken up many years ago, and a famous piece of Edmonton’s history was lost.

Conductor at work

In 1980, the non-profit Edmonton Radial Railway Society was formed with the aim of restoring and operating former Edmonton Streetcars. In the summer of 1997, the Society began operating a vintage streetcar over the top of the High Level Bridge after electrifying the old CPR line from the north side (beside Grandin/Government Centre LRT Station) to Old Strathcona.

This “Ride into History” runs daily from the Friday of May long weekend to Labour Day, and on weekends (including holiday Mondays) from Labour Day to Thanksgiving (between May and October). Stops include 107 Street, 90 Avenue and 97 Avenue. You can board or leave at any of the stops. The vintage streetcar is run by the non-profit Edmonton Radial Railway Society. ETS tickets and passes are not valid for travel on the streetcar.

Friendly staff

Driver view from the train

So, we parked our car close to Jasper Avenue, along the 109 street (free parking on weekends) and pop on the train that was readily waiting for its passengers near by. To our surprise our train was almost full. Some people were even standing in the middle…

This streetcar line is there to keep history alive but it can be a great tourist attraction and transportation link. I think we must pay closer attention to it and make it something that everyone will talk about. My wife and I love the staff who tells all about the street car and the trip. They make it very interesting! We got on the streetcar and took the trip from one end to the other. Return adult ticket was $4.00 per person.

Crossing 97 Avenue going south

High Level Bridge 

Here is what I observed during the ride. Let’s start from best to worst. The track area on the north side of the river from the High Level Bridge to the end of the line looks really nice. The grass is cut; there is a multi-use trail next to the tracks, flowers, etc. A very attractive area.

Next the high level bridge itself, nothing much to say other than a spectacular view of river valley. Train moves very slowly so I was able to take lots of pictures…

North Saskatchewan River – facing west from the train

EPCOR station and Walterdale Bridge

North Saskatchewan River – facing east from the train

Awaiting Baton exchange

Traditional baton exchange between trains on the south side of the bridge is very interesting. Driver who gets the green baton, has free passage over the bridge, as there is only one set of tracks across the bridge. At the same time this is good tourist attraction and kids love it!

The next area unfortunately was not so great. The tunnel on the south side of the river has been left dark, which is probably a good thing as I bet there is all kind of graffiti inside the tunnel.  After you surface from the tunnel this is where I have a problem. From the tunnel to the other end of the line the grass is overgrown, there hasn’t been any attempt to maintain that area. You can tell that area was a former train ROW and it’s been left as it was.

The grass is overgrown on the south side…

I think that the city could do much better and here are some suggestions.

- A multi-use trail should be added to that area (between the tunnel and Old Strathcona) that can include some park benches, trash cans, maybe street lamps, interpretive signage, etc… as well if some flowers, trees and grass was properly planted in that area it would go a long way to improve the area. If this is going to be a tourist attraction lets make sure the tourists think it is an attraction and not detraction.
- The conductor told me that the Radial Society would like to extend the track from it’s location to Whyte Avenue itself. They wanted to bring it to the old train station. I say they could bring the street car just north of 82 Avenue so that it would tie in directly to Whyte. If you’re a visitor to Edmonton and Whyte Avenue you won’t know about the street car unless you come across a sign or if you happen to walk that way. If there were a proper boarding area on Whyte many more people would learn of the streetcar.
- At the other end of the line one of two things must happen. Either the tracks be brought closer to Jasper Avenue or there should be an improvement to the park area to make the streetcar much more noticeable from Jasper Avenue.

You can also charter a streetcar for an office party or a special event. Enjoy your own private tour by streetcar.

Author of this blog with wife by the Osaka #247 streetcar

Returning back to Jasper Avenue on board of Osaka #247

Streetcar Osaka #247

Take a ride into Edmonton’s past. The history of streetcars in Edmonton dates back to the very first streetcar ride in November 1908. The Edmonton Radial Railway (as it was known) became famous throughout North America because of the unique streetcar ride over the North Saskatchewan River, the highest river crossing by streetcar in the world.

History of High Level Bridge Streetcar

Strathcona and the High Level Bridge have a long association with streetcars. In the early hours of the morning of September 2, 1951 Edmonton streetcar #52 made its final trip along 109th Street from 83rd Avenue across the top deck of the High Level Bridge bringing to an end an era that had started with the first streetcar ride on November 8, 1908. The Edmonton Radial Railway (as the system was known) had become famous throughout the continent because of this unique streetcar ride over the North Saskatchewan River, one of the highest river crossings by streetcar in the world. The top deck of the bridge had three sets of tracks, the centre one for the Canadian Pacific Railways (C.P.R.) steam trains, while the outer ones served the E.R.R. streetcars. The passengers’ view was both spectacular and exhilarating.

The bridge (755 m long and 49 m high) opened in 1913. As a concession to passenger nerves, crossovers were introduced a few years later at both approaches to the bridge so that the cars actually adopted left hand running while on the top deck. In the event of a car becoming disabled, this meant that passengers could alight on to the centre of the bridge rather than stepping out into space! In actual fact there were few problems and the High Level Bridge tram service ran accident-free until abandonment in 1951.

That could well have been the end of the matter as far as streetcars on the High Level Bridge were concerned. However, in early 1979 a group of volunteers began to restore Edmonton streetcar #1 (the only one to have survived in the city) to full operating condition. As a contribution to the City’s 75th anniversary celebrations, the old streetcar saw service across the High Level Bridge during the Thanksgiving Weekend 1979 albeit on the surviving railway track and towing a generator car.

Thus, after an absence of 28 years, a streetcar made a brief but triumphant return to the High Level Bridge. Five cent fares were charged and that weekend scores of passengers young and old took in the magnificence of the fall colours in the river valley. Based on this success, the same volunteers formed in 1980 the Edmonton Radial Railway Society (ERRS). Starting with nothing, they built the streetcar line at Fort Edmonton Park, restored a number of additional streetcars and acquired several other Edmonton streetcar bodies for eventual restoration. However, for many ERRS members the ultimate dream was to have once again a streetcar service across the High Level Bridge as a heritage line. The path was cleared when the Canadian Pacific Railway formally abandoned its track west of 103 Street and across the bridge. A first small step was made during the Fringe Festival 1995, when a double ended Japanese streetcar (which had originally been purchased for spare parts) shuttled visitors from 104 Street to Fringe Productions taking place in the former railway tunnel and the Granite Curling Club. Same as in 1979, a generator mounted on a small truck towed by the streetcar had to provide the required electric power (600 volts DC). The generator was noisy and smelly, but the streetcar performed well and thousands of delighted passengers enjoyed a leisurely ride on a seventy year old streetcar as part of their Fringe activities.

An agreement was eventually reached with the City to inaugurate a seasonal service across the bridge and as far as Grandin. The quote received from a contractor to span overhead wire and electrify the line was far beyond the means of the society. Undaunted, in a giant leap of faith it was decided that the electrification could be tackled by the members themselves. And indeed, the dedicated crew came through with flying colours! Poles were set, cantilevers built and overhead wires installed. Through a piece of luck, the original poles across the bridge had never been removed and could be brought back into service after a span of close to 50 years. In the fall of 1996 ex Osaka car #247 operated for the first time under its own power. Service over the entire line from Strathcona to Grandin commenced in August 1997.

For eight full years Osaka #247 was the only available car for operation across the High Level Bridge. At first being stored outside and hidden under tarps during the winter months, the car served the society extremely well and carried between 30,000 and 50,000 passengers per year. Finally, a streetcar barn with three tracks could be established at the north side of the farmers market in Old Strathcona and provide shelter for our faithful Japanese tram.

Further highlights included the construction of the “Ribbon of Steel”, a multi-use corridor north of Grandin, enabling an extension of the streetcar service to a new terminus in between 100 Avenue and Jasper Avenue. The line now measures 3 km in length. The addition of a second car (prototype LRT car #601 from Hannover, Germany) and the construction of a passing loop at the south end of the bridge enabled as from 2005 the occasional operation of 2 cars when required. Finally, the year 2006 saw the inauguration of ex Melbourne (Australia) tram #930, completing the fleet to three operational streetcars.

On the occasion of the Centennial of Edmonton’s Public Transportation a small but fine streetcar museum was established in the Streetcar Barn at Strathcona. The displays include many pictures, the history of Edmonton’s long gone streetcars, uniforms, tickets, streetcar parts and models.

Sometime in the not too distant future, Edmonton streetcar #33 (restored to its original 1912 condition) should see service on the High Level Bridge and make the heritage line even more authentic. Last but not least the society hopes to extend the tracks one day across 103 Street (Gateway Blvd) and serve a new terminus north of Whyte Avenue in the heart of Old Strathcona.

Hans Ryffel, president of the Edmonton Radial Railway Society, at the streetcar workshop at Fort Edmonton Park on July 10, 2010, with the newly completed streetcar No. 33, which operated on Edmonton streets, but was used as an outbuilding on a Willingdon farm between 1951 and 1980.

Read more: http://www.edmonton-radial-railway.ab.ca/highlevelbridge/