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’
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
In Lethbridge, when we’re not mining for coal or wrestling bears, we’re usually drinking an ice-cold Pil. First brewed in Lethbridge in 1926, Old Style Pilsner is a beer that has remained strong in Western Canada since its inception.
Being half Czech, beer has played an important part of my life. In fact, it’s the national drink of the Czech Republic, much like wine is to France. And like wine, there are many varieties from different regions, each with their own recipe. “Pilsener” is a pale lager, developed in the 19th century in the Bohemian city of Plzeň.
My earliest memories of Old Style Pilsner are when I was a youngster, drinking a stubby in my crib. Those were the days when soiling your pants was the norm, not the exception. So here’s the story of my favourite beer as I know it.
Continue reading ‘Old Style Pilsner: The Pride of Lethbridge’
Yes, it may come as a surprise to many of you that Lethbridge was the location for Canada’s first TacoTime! Unfortunately, it came as a surprise to me today to find out that TacoTime is an also American brand.
Regardless, in 1978 the first TacoTime was opened on Mayor Magrath Drive, in the location currently occupied by The Front Row Pub. Heralding back to my youth, I can recall a time when my father, sister and I ate there. He and I both had a “Super Soft Taco” that was the size of a premature infant. I tore into mine and dad, who’s blind as a bat, accidentally picked up a real baby from the patrons sitting next to us! Good thing for hot sauce.
I know many of you don’t consider TacoTime to be “authentic” Mexican cuisine, but I challenge you to find any other restaurant that serves escamoles in their burritos!
TacoTime
