Partner City
Strathmore
The Village that Moved
Located just east of Calgary, Strathmore began life in the early 1900s as a railway stop for immigrant farmers settling on the surrounding lands. A massive irrigation scheme brought labourers, farmers and businessmen to Strathmore and in 1911 it incorporated as town. In the First World War every single able-bodied man in Strathmore enlisted in the military, the only place in Canada where this occurred. The war took a heavy toll and as the railway diminished in importance, growth stalled until after the Second World War. Then Strathmore's proximity to Calgary and location along the Trans-Canada Highway caused another population boom so that now Strathmore is one of the fastest growing towns in Alberta.
This project is only possible with the generous sponsorship and support of the Western District Historical Society. We also owe thanks to the Town of Strathmore, the Strathmore Travelodge, and members of the Western District Historical Society.
We acknowledge that Strathmore 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.
Walking Tours
Explore
Strathmore
Then and Now Photos
Arnold Motors
Strathmore: The Village that Moved
1925
A line of later versions of Model Ts and a tractor have been put on display outside Arnold Motors International Harvesters Dealership.
Crown Lumber
Strathmore: The Village that Moved
1910s
The Crown Lumber Company, affiliated with the Strathmore Trading Company and providing Strathmore with most of its building supplies.
Across the Pond
Glenbow Museum and Archives NA-4592-1
1911
Some of the buildings of the Demonstration Farm. Several houses of the farm's caretakers can be seen.
Irrigation Ditches
1910s
A man shows how to properly irrigate a ditch at the demonstration farm. The farm buildings can be seen in the background.
A Happy Couple
Bruce Klaiber Personal Collection
1910s
A couple poses for a tender photo in front of the demonstration farm pond.
Potato Picking
1910s
Labourers pick potatoes on the demonstration farm.
The Frozen Pond
1910s
A view of the demonstration farm compound across a frozen pond.
Across the Pond
Strathmore: The Village that Moved
1910
Looking from the north across the pond to the demonstration farm.
The Stampede Parade
Strathmore: The Village that Moved
1930
A fire engine bedecked with Union Jacks drives down Main Street as part of the Stampede Parade.
The Engineering Building
Strathmore: The Village that Moved
1910
The CPR Engineering Building, completed in 1910, once stood on this spot.
Hailstorm Damage
Glenbow Museum and Archives NA-3646-7
1932
Behind the telephone exchange we can see that a hail storm has taken a shocking toll, knocking down a number of telephone poles here, in addition to many other buildings. The Memorial Hall is visible in both photographs and this photo was taken from the property of the Berry family.
The Royal Bank
Glenbow Museum and Archives NA-3774-162
1926
A front view of the Royal Bank of Canada.
From the West
Strathmore: The Village that Moved
1912
A panorama view of Strathmore taken from the west, around Westmount School's playing field. While none of the buildings match up, the streets actually do ensuring that this is quite an accurate recreation of perspective. This shot is revealing in that at this early point much of the town has yet to be filled in. The Catholic Church at centre no longer stands, and neither does the United Church with the square tower just to the left of it. However the steeple at far left belongs to the Anglican Church, which does remain.
Explore
Museums
The Grain Academy & Museum
Rosebud and District Centennial Museum
