Partner City
Gleichen
Heart of the Wheat Land
Today Gleichen is a small hamlet located just adjacent to the Siksika First Nation Reserve in Alberta. Gleichen grew into a town in the late 1800s and early 1900s as hundreds of ranchers and farmers disembarked from trains in Gleichen and settled on the surounding lands. However, in the 1920s and 1930s economic changes and a series of devastating fires caused many of Gleichen's residents to move away. Today Gleichen is much smaller than it once was, but is working hard to preserve its history.
This project is only possible with the generous sponsorship and support of the Western District Historical Society. We also owe thanks to the Hamlet of Gleichen, the Strathmore Travelodge, and members of the Western District Historical Society.
We respectfully acknowledge that Gleichen is on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Siksika, Tsuut’ina, and Nakota Sioux.
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Gleichen
Then and Now Photos
Palace Hotel
Glenbow Museum and Archives NA-1941-22
1910s
A view of horse-drawn wagons and a dog in the street in front of the Palace Hotel.
The Railway Station
Glenbow Museum and Archives PA-3973-32
1904
The CPR station in Gleichen, with a grain elevator visible in the distance.
Looking up 4th Ave.
Glenbow Museum and Archives NA-1633-2
1914
A view of 4th Avenue from Main Street. The building on the left houses the Gleichen Trading Company.
Cowboys
Glenbow Museum and Archives NA-2501-4
1915
A parade of Stetson-toting cowboys preceding the Gleichen Stampede.
Milling About
Glenbow Museum and Archives NA-2501-5
1915
A group of cowboys mills about in front of the hotel, as people watch from the veranda. This was taken during the Gleichen Stampede on June 24, 1915.
St. Andrew's
Glenbow Museum and Archives NA-5608-24
1900s
A rear view of St. Andrew's Anglican Church.
Gleichen's Cenotaph
Glenbow Museum and Archives NA-336-30
1921
The cenotaph commemorating Gleichen's fallen during the First World War, shortly after its unveiling.
Paying their Respects
Glenbow Museum and Archives NA-336-31
1921
Veterans paying their respects to their fallen comrades on Armistice Day, 1921.
Somber Service
Glenbow Museum and Archives NA-336-32
1921
Clergymen preside over a Remembrance Day ceremony at the Gleichen cenotaph shortly after its unveiling.
CIBC
Glenbow Museum and Archives PA-335-1
1930s
A side view of the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, now a library.
Cars on Main St.
Glenbow Museum and Archives PA-1599-336c-1
1970s
Cars parked on an unpaved Main Street during the 1970s.
