Eckville gets its name from A. E. T. Eckford, a pioneer citizen. Eckville relocated to its current location in 1912, after the Canadian Northern Railway completed its local line. The current location on the Canadian Northern Railway was briefly known as Kootuk, but the name Eckville prevailed. Eckville was incorporated as a village in 1921 and became a town in 1966.
This project is a partnership with Lacombe Regional Tourism and the Town of Eckville.
The Town of Eckville acknowledges that we are on Treaty 6 territory, a traditional meeting grounds, gathering place, and traveling route to the Cree, Saulteaux, Blackfoot, Métis, Dene and Nakota Sioux. We respectfully acknowledge all the many First Nations, Métis, and Inuit whose footsteps have marked these lands for centuries.
Explore
Eckville
Then and Now Photos
An Early Restaurant
Men, women, and children pose for a photo on the front porch of one of Eckville's early restaurants.
Cowen's Hardware
Cowen's Hardware Store doubles as a gas station, with a gas pump and a number of oil barrels are situated in front of the store.
General Store
Several men stand on the wooden sidewalk in front of the general store that advertises a whole range of products.
East Side of Main St.
ca. 1960s
A photograph shows how much cars have proliferated in Eckville, filling much of the street. Many of the buildings on the east side of 50th Street survive to this day.
The Meat Market
This building has variously served as a meat market, bank, and now is home to the Friendship Club. It's been moved here, across from the baseball diamond, from its original site and renovated and expanded.
Muddy 50th St.
1936
A view towards the train station on 50th Street, giving a great view of how the CPR station was once the central focus of the town.
The Hotel
A close-up of the main hotel that once stood on this corner. It was destroyed in the fire of 1928, but a new hotel rose from the ashes in the years that followed.
Winter on 50th Street
ca. 1920s
A wintertime view of the east side of 50th Street shortly before fire would consume most of these buildings.
Aftermath of a Fire
1928
In 1928 flames engulfed much of the east side of 50th Street, Eckville's commercial thoroughfare. The damage was considerable, but as we can see the town has since rebuilt.
Rebuilding After the Fire
1929
A new hotel rises from the ashes of the old which was destroyed in the fire of 1928.
View from a Train
1928
A photographer was perched on a train passenger car when they shot this photo of 50th Street. Notice the handcart laden with milk jugs on the platform.
Pedestrians on 50th
ca. 1970s
People walking down Eckville's main commercial drag.
Harness Racing
Two harness racers on their two-wheeled carts (sulkys) zoom past the photographer on an improvised track that's at least partially incorporated the baseball diamond.
Playing Hockey
Young hockey players on the rink that once stood on this spot.
Racing Around the Oval
A harness racer zooms past the photographer on Eckville's racing oval.
First Hospital (Late)
A much more recent shot of the home that once served as Eckville's first hospital.
Macleod's Store
ca. 1970s
Several people have a conversation outside of Macleod's store, a hardware dealer.
Boarded Up Station
A late view of Eckville's train station taken just before it was demolished, showing it boarded up.
