A dome is an architectural element. Simply, think of it as the hollow upper half of a sphere or ball. Often used as the topping of a building or as a roof, many sports stadiums the world over have been built with this feature. Such an application requires large open...
It’s time for another Calgary Transit then and now. We so love doing them, they’re a ton a fun! For this one we look at two photos from 1969, taken along Elbow Drive and we visit the area to see if we can find the locations shown in those pictures....
The Ogden Hotel, aka Alyth Lodge, now Victory Manor, celebrated its 100th year recently and with some recent renovations it will hopefully be around for a long, long time to come. Once lodging for visitors to the community it was also a watering hole for those working at the nearby...
In this Calgary Transit then and now report, we first look at some decades old pictures showing buses travelling along Elbow Drive and we visit those same locations to see what remains today. The originals are from 1969 and our visit takes place early this year. The trolley buses seen...
Built in 1885 and 1904 respectively, St Paul’s and St Patrick’s are some of the oldest churches in Calgary, and some of the oldest buildings in town period. When constructed they were not even with the city limits, not even close, and were located in the independent community of Midnapore....
The transit buses that are the subject of this report are known as “Classics”. The ones seen here were built in the early 1990s and are the oldest such vehicles currently on the Calgary Transit roster. These old warriors will likely continue to serve for some time however, even in...
For this then and now, we first go back to 1978 and see an Edmonton Transit Flyer trolley bus passing by what was then the Northlands Coliseum. Fast forward to 2014 and Connie and myself visit that same spot to see what has changed in the thirty five years since...
In this Brokeback Mountain then and now, the character Jack Twist has just travelled to Mexico to hook up with a prostitute, a scene that was actually shot in Calgary. Mexico…Calgary…who’s to know? All they needed to complete this chapter in the story was a suitably seedy alley, which they...
This Trillium Trailer was spotted parked in the storage yard of a large trucking firm. This brand is by far the most common of the Boler-like trailers and confusing one with the other is an easy mistake, especially if seen from a distance. This example however is the square-shaped Jubilee...
The Elbow River is a watercourse with multiple personalities, that at times can be calm and serene or a hellish raging torrent. Spanning it, just south of downtown Calgary, is the 4th St SW (or Mission) Bridge, the subject of this then and now report. Built almost a hundred years...
In this then and now report, we look at two old photos showing Edmonton Transit trolley buses travelling along 115th Avenue and visit those same locations to see how things appear today. Like many from this series, we go in not knowing what if anything from the old photos remains....
This report has us visiting Fish Creek Provincial Park, an urban green space nestled in a valley at the south end of Calgary. One of the biggest parks in town, it’s home to a huge network of hiking trails, some of which we’ll explore this day. Our route, a combination...
In part two of this report on the Coleman Collieries processing plant, we discuss the loss of the historic loadout complex and what might be in store for the rest of the buildings left standing at the site. They are, supposedly, recognized as historically significant, but it appears that might...
I’ve been holding off writing this article for well over a month. I just wasn’t ready, I was not prepared. Thinking about the subject made me upset and writing about it would only make things worse. They did it and I’m set aback. What were they thinking? Why did it...
For this Calgary then and now post we visit St Mary’s Catholic Church and the nearby ex-CNR train station which was once a Parish hall and is now home to ballet company. The first image, from an old postcard, was take over a hundred years ago, and we visit the...
A century old in 2014 and certainly looking its age, the steam locomotive seen in this report, West Canadian Collieries #1, came to the Crowsnest Pass in 1920 and was put on display in the 1960s. Looking neglected and forgotten, and hidden away behind some trees, it sits on a...
This post has been updated and can be found here: Sleepee Teepee Blairmore Alberta. If you like the Crowsnest Pass (we sure do), check out these reports… Frank then and now. One Mine Ridge. A little more Lille and a flat car. If you’d like to know more about what...
Perry, Garth, Bish and Gordon July 25\85. Inside the historic Hanna Alberta Roundhouse and these scratchings date from the time the building was repurposed and operated as a cattle auction mart. Of all things. The little details tell a story and are the things we look for.
Go to the comments to learn more!
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2018. Submitted by Connie.
The historic Pilot Bay Lighthouse, in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia, dates back to the early 1900s and remained in use for almost ninety years. Post retirement it’s been preserved in place on a point overlooking gorgeous Kootenay Lake and easily reached via a short hiking trail. Spectacular scenery, a blast of lake air, and a little history awaits those who pay it a visit.
Go to the comments to learn more and for a bonus photo from the top.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2021. Submitted by Connie. Thank goes out to Dale for helping make this post possible.
When you park your jet in a sketchy neighbourhood...
FSKE: Bombardier/Canadair Regional Jet from the mid-1990s and now stripped valuable parts. It's one of many in this boneyard connected to an aircraft leasing firm and they were spotted during a lunchtime stroll while doing work in the area.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2021. Submitted by Connie.
Saskatchewan and curling are forever connected. While it's not as popular as it once was and many rinks are no longer used (like this one), still a lot of people in the province play. We didn't notice the door pull at this facility until leaving and had a little chuckle. This rural single-sheet rink seems intact but it's been a while since anyone had a game here. Old papers and calendars scattered about suggest 2002 was the last season.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2021. Submitted by Connie.
I noticed Chris had this in his queue since last fall but never posted it. He appears in this video but as the shyest and most humble person you'll ever meet (ask anyone who knows him), was perhaps uncomfortable with the idea. I've know him for 30 years, and that's him.
Here's a piece from our friends Jim and Jay of the Caped Wonder Podcast, and Chris joined them while exploring sites seen in the original Superman movie franchise. Chris was credited with finding the site of the gas station explosion a few years back and it too is visited in this video.
Built in 1927, Bethel Lutheran Church remained in use until 1959, with the congregation disbanding due to declining membership. It’s a sad story repeated time and again out on the prairies. While the building has stood empty for well over sixty years, the attached cemetery is still used. The decades have taken their toll and just prior to our visit the steeple toppled over.
Go to the comments to learn more.
Exploring history with Off the Beaten Path with Chris & Connie. Photo: 2021. Submitted by Connie. Location: SW Saskatchewan. Let's thank Dale and the Olafsons for helping make this post possible.
Javascript is required for this site to function. Please enable it in your browser settings and refresh this page.
Please log-in to continue... This allows unrestricted access to every post @BIGDoer.com, popups are eliminated, commenting is on and the "contact us" page is enabled.
Your social site may send you a routine notice of login.
Or signup, here: Subscriber Register ___ BIGDoer.com: Serving up POP HISTORY & other McFun!…(Mmmm, yummy bite-sized pieces.) One million plus words & tens of thousands of photos!
Comments are currently turned off