I came across this YouTube video. He seems to know a lot about the history of Lethbridge! [citation needed]
Lethbridge Alberta was first known as “The Coal Banks”. The main industry in the early days of Lethbridge Alberta was coal, first discovered by Nicholas Sheran and then capitalized by the Galt Family. Coalbanks was renamed “Lethbridge” in 1906 when the Canadian Pacific Railroad was building track across Souther Alberta. They build the longest and tallest steel trestle bridge in the world across the coulees in Lethbridge Alberta and it was completed in 1909, still holding its records to this day. Lethbridge Alberta is a beautiful place when the snow melts in the summer because Lethbridge Alberta is founded on the banks of the Oldman River that snakes through Lethbridge on its way across southern Alberta. Lethbridge Alberta is now known more as a party town and its main industry is food processing. However, there may be oil around Lethbridge Alberta and this town may one day, boom again. Wait and see. Lethbridge Alberta is full of surprises. I verily enjoy the city of Lethbridge, Alberta. I invite you to have a look at Lethbridge Alberta yourself and learn more about Lethbridge Alberta from this song I wrote about Lethbridge Alberta.
If you’re looking to score some LSD, Layne Whipple is not your man. However, he passed along a rare treasure from days long past – one that smelled more like old books than anything else.
This little capsule was put on the streets by the Travel and Convention Association of Southern Alberta, showing that people weren’t always so tight-assed (but I guess it was the 70s, after all). Hit the jump to see its contents! Continue reading ‘Lethbridge’s Straight Dope’
My mom, who is more connected than Twitter, gave me the heads up that the Galt Museum once again will be holding their popular “Scotch & Burns” event on January 22.
Join the Galt for this verrry special celebration of the Scottish poet’s birth. Try haggis, join in on the songs, and enjoy performances by the Lethbridge Highland Dancers and Lethbridge Scottish Country Dance Club, all followed by a Scotch Tasting [tickets at the event]. This year, event honours and commemorates long-time supporter Stewart Christie. You don’t have to be Scottish to attend!
Admission is $3 and kids under 6 get in free! Since scotch is an acquired taste, it’s best to train one’s palate by starting young.
Galt Museum & Archives
Here’s a mostly-boring walking tour of historic downtown Lethbridge. If you listen closely at 5:00, Ted refers to the Henotic building as the "fucking #1 fire hall." He must really like it! Also, the guy at 6:30 has a nice strut.
Now please tell me I wasn’t the only one who kept looking at his crotch bulge?
One of those landmarks which people instantly associate with Lethbridge would be the viaduct, or high-level bridge. It’s also on the masthead of this website (remind me to change that). Sometimes mistaken for being the inspiration for this city’s name, it’s quite the opposite. Bridges were first invented in Lethbridge in the 1820s, which then spread to the rest of the civilized world, using bridges.
This year marks the 100th birthday of the train bridge. Although plenty of articles have already been written, Lethbridge College‘s “Wider Horizons” magazine has a particularly in-depth story, with all sorts of factoids.
The bridge was originally built, at a cost of $1.3 million, to shorten the rail distance between Lethbridge and Fort Macleod. As the late Lethbridge historian Alex Johnston noted in one of his papers: “Up to this point, the bridges constructed in the west had been of wooden timbers. The design chosen for this bridge was a steel viaduct consisting of 44 plate girder spans 67 feet, 1 inch long, 22 plate girder spans 98 feet, 10 inches long, and one riveted deck lattice truss span 167 feet long.
Plans are underway for celebrations later this year, including lighting the bridge up at night.
Wider Horizons: High & Mighty
Also, I just had to include this somewhere.
Although Lethbridge didn’t start off as a mining town, it’s well known for that. And the whiskey trade, train bridge, chinook winds and Pilsner beer. So it’s National Mining Week – a big deal for a town that once called itself “Coalbanks” (I think they changed the name because of the Inn’s reputation).
First celebrated in 1996, National Mining Week recognizes the importance of the Canadian mining industry to the economic development of Canada.
Continue reading ‘I think I’m getting the black lung, pop’
This week celebrates the people and stories of our city, featuring concerts & exhibitions, film screenings, kid events, lectures & literature and other special events. The theme is the dirty 1930s.
But why have I not heard of this week before? Perhaps because it’s a tad boring with events like “Knitting Time’s Wool Challenge,” where there’s a contest to see who can knit a sweater in the fastest time possible. Though the Chili Challenge sounds like gastronomical fun, as does “Taste Of Downtown.” I was particularly interested in that until I found out it’s already sold out. I guess I’ll go back to licking the pavement and lamp posts.
Hopefully next year’s theme will be the 1920s, to commemorate our Red Light District. “The Point,” as it is called…and a favourite hangout of mine. Has anyone seen the twins lately?
Historic Lethbridge Week
Today is the birthdate of Jack Miner; some dead guy I never heard about until today. While miners played an important part in the early days of Lethbridge (the city was once named Coalbanks), this “Miner” was important for another reason.
“Wild Goose Jack,” as he was known, is the grandfather of Canada conservationism. He established sanctuaries and wildlife refuges across Canada, and lectured on habitat preservation among other things.
For this reason, National Wildlife Week (April 5 – 11, 2009) was established in his memory. This week is a tribute to the man who created public interest in wildlife and habitat conservation.
Established in 1947, National Wildlife Week is celebrated during the week that includes 10 April, the birth date of the late Jack Miner, one of the founders of Canada’s conservation movement.
Although Lethbridge is in a semi-arid climate, we have many plants and animals native to our area, none of which I can name right now because I have drank too much wine. But if you have an interest in knowing more, I highly recommend taking a few hours to explore the Birds of Prey Sanctuary or the Helen Schuler Nature Centre.
Being a furry, I’m more than willing to explore and embrace a special wild place. Too bad chimpanzees aren’t native to Southern Alberta. Regardless, meat is on the menu tonight. I’ve got a stomach for conservation.
National Wildlife Week
Today is the National Day of Remembrance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. One of the defining moments for Canada, Lethbridge played an important part. Soldiers from the 20th and 39th batteries of the Royal Canadian Artillery fought in this battle. A monument to those soldiers stands at the 18th Air Defence Regiment Armoury, which since has been renamed the Vimy Ridge Armoury.
Continue reading ‘National Day of Remembrance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge’
DJ Booda has graciously offered up 2 free tickets to tomorrow night’s Swollen Members concert, featuring special guests Kuruption Camp & Absent Minds. With only one entry so far, your chances of winning are very likely!
Tickets are going at $30/door a pop, so this is an awesome deal! The show starts tomorrow night, 10PM @ The Blarney Stone.
Lethbridge, show your love and enter to win!
