Eamon’s Sign

It’s only taken us about two years to post this. Say it with me…dear Lord, they’re slow! Sometimes there’s so much on the go at BIGDoer.com that a huge backlog builds and so this glacial pace is not all that odd. A week or two before shooting this piece, way back in 2019, we visited historic Eamon’s Garage in High River and in this post we take in the Eamon’s Sign found at Calgary Transit’s Tuscany/Rocky Ridge LRT Station. No point seeing one without the other.

Eamon’s dates from the early 1950s, although the sign came a few years later. It marked the entrance to “Eamon’s One Stop Tourist Service Centre”, which included a gas station/garage, restaurant and as advertised there for all to see, a bungalow camp (aka motor court, or in today’s world, a motel). Sitting along what was then the main route west out of Calgary, it was the last stop before leaving the city behind (or first coming into it) and this made for good business.

In the mid-1960s, the new Trans Canada Highway to the south siphoned away much of the business and with that the gas station closed. It’s believed the eatery also shut down about this time, or soon after, but it’s not been 100% confirmed when. The bungalows remained in business, however, for a couple more decades before similarly call it quits. They stood empty for a time after.

Damn photographers…

While not in business for that long, Eamon’s became a Calgary icon and for those who got to know it on family road trips to Banff, the stuff of legend. A nearby (and long-closed) roadhouse is looked upon with similar fondness: Nagway Inn.

Fast forward to the early 2010s and all that’s left standing on the property is Eamon’s Garage and Sign, long forgotten and looking a little haggard. The surrounding property sometimes got used as a storage lot for a car dealer but otherwise the land remained vacant. When built Eamon’s was out in the sticks by this point surrounded by the ever expanding city. Calgary grows like weed.

Soon after the LRT arrived and with the land needed for a parking lot everything was moved off site for safe keeping. Someone saw they had historic value, which is good, as in this city, it’s often bulldoze first and ask questions later.

After a few years the garage was moved to a museum site in High River Alberta and is being fixed up as we speak. You can see it in this piece: River City Classics @ Eamon’s Garage. They had other plans for the sign and after a good restoration it was brought home. Well, almost and while it isn’t exactly where it used be, it’s close enough. It’s still on former Eamon’s land, or almost and there in a prominent spot it can’t be missed if you’re heading for a train on the Rocky Ridge side.

Being clad in metal it glows when struck by the sun. We hoped it would light like a pinball come dark, but came away disappointed. We never have any fun…

Some might argue the the sign should have accompanied Eamon’s Garage to High River and I’m sure the possibility was discussed, but in the end they went separate ways. Once together and now they’re many miles apart. Our take: the sign honours the Eamon’s legacy and without it’s likely no one would ever know the business ever existed here. It takes what is otherwise a mundane place and makes it a little more special.

There’s some art at the train station and while looking like a bunch of random lights on random poles, when viewed from the correct angle they form a neat little twinkling circle. Hmm, I wonder what would happen if we moved the zoom while running a long exposure? We’re artists! Quick, call the Fraenkel Gallery! Or something like that. This is as good as it gets here folks.

It’s always more fun to hang around with friends and joining us this wonderful evening (sunset’s our most favourite time of day) are good friends Byron Robb and Allan Brooker. Only problem with this sort of arrangement is crowding. Inevitably we’ll all end up working the same angles and so the occasional shoving match played out. Damn photographers always getting in the way! They would have gotten an earful too, and a good stern evil-eye had they not been our ride home.

Then there’s that photobomber. What’s the odds there would be people about here at a busy train station and don’t they know we’re taking pictures? We ended up chatting with the fellow and it turns out he’s a fine photographer in his own right. I’m certain he’s on cloud nine knowing he’s been memorialized in a post on this website and all the notoriety that comes with it. What an honour!

Or not.

Since we have space we’re including a number of overflow photos taken at Eamon’s Garage a week or two prior. This post: River City Classics @ Eamon’s Garage. We had way too many for that article and while some really weren’t all that good, still we liked them and hope you do too. The two subjects are so well connected, so why not?

Eamon’s Sign at the Tuscany LRT Station.

Memories of shooting Eamon’s Garage: we got to take in an amazing place, with some amazing folks and their incredible rides. Buick and Packard, old pickups and a legendary DeLorean – and more – they were all nice and shiny. It was quite the line up and perhaps the most hectic night of shooting we’ve ever done. A storm blew in followed by a brief but super light show then everything was cut short on account of rain. We got some really cool photos but better still, and the real reason we do this, was the memorable experience. We need more of that vibe here in 2021.

Know more (new windows): Eamon’s Bungalow Camp Calgary and Eamon’s Garage High River.

That’s enough babbling for today.

They’re saying…

”As a long time area historian I can say unequivocally that the thoroughness of the research and documentation done by Chris and Connie on any site they so respectfully explore is first rate. I consider them a go to on many many aspects of western Canadian history. And I am thankful that Off the Beaten Path exists as a first rate site to guide other explorers.” John William Kinnear. (It’s a great honour hearing this! – Chris)

More car-centric stuff…
Hanging at Frostbite (1) and Hanging at Frostbite (2) – Hot Rod Shop!
Retro Service Stations: Lakeview Husky.
Mike’s “Fordtown” Collection.

If you feel like chatting or want more information on what you see here feel free to contact us!

Date of Adventure: August and September, 2019
Location(s): Calgary and High River, AB.
Article references and thanks: The City of Calgary, Calgary Transit, Byron Robb, Allan Brooker, Michael Fischer and finally everyone at River City Classics.

What is this strange thing?

Damn photobombers.

It’s all that left on site of this former business.

We were hoping it’d light up, but were denied.

Ah sunset, we love you.

All those pretty twinkly lights.

As artsy as it gets here.

Overflow photos from the shoot at Eamon’s Garage in High River: River City Classics @ Eamon’s Garage. These didn’t make the cut, for whatever reason, but we liked them and hope you do too. And since we have some space here, and given there’s a connection between the subjects, what the hey.

The coolest Buick ever.

My Lil’ Sheila.

Nothing nicer than a Packard.

It’s gorgeous from any angle.

A legendary DeLorean DMC.

Packards were some stylish cars.

Quite the line up.

It’s the little details.

Connie always finds the interesting angles.

One hectic night, two years ago.

A car that needs no introduction.

Some stormy fun @ Eamon’s!