Robertson House/Lana Lang House Superman III

To some it’s known, variously, as the Castle, Tower or Turret House, account its distinctive style of architecture. To others it’s the Robertson or Koopman House, after some folks who once called it home. But most famously it’s known far and wide as the Superman House due to its appearance in the third chapter in the original franchise run (1983’s Superman III); or alternately the Lana Lang House, after Sup’s (& Clark Kent’s) love interest whose residence it was in the film. For certain, it’s got many names. And darn, is it gorgeous!

The location is a corner in High River Alberta and to fans the house is a revered Holy Ground with folks the world over dropping by just to stand out front and take it in (someone lives here, so please don’t enter the property). And for some visitors, no doubt, a tear is shed. Few movies evoke such passion and devotion and for those who are really into “it” and seek out locations such as this, the places that played a part in the series, standing in view of it is something spiritual and moving. As fans ourselves, that’s how it is for us. We’ve waited years to get the courage to ask to go in, worried we’d be turned down.

Welcome to the twelve hundredth post (!!!!!) at BIGDoer.com…thought you’d like to know…and we now return you to our regularly scheduled program…

The home was constructed circa 1904-1905 and sat on a large parcel of farm land of some three hundred plus acres. When built is was on the extreme eastern edge of High River, but has since become partially surrounded by the community. The first owner was one Robert Robertson, former Canadian Pacific Railway Station Agent in town, turned farmer on moving to the property. Electricity was brought in soon after it was built, in 1907.

The Robertson’s, Mr, Mrs, and several kids (how many is not said), lived here until 1910 before moving to the US. Their legacy, is this here fine house.

One Benjamin Kiser acquired it soon after (no mention is made of a family) and lived, farmed and operated a dairy here until 1940. It’s mentioned that the place was sometimes used in cooperation with the government to demonstrate new farming methods and techniques to others who similarly worked the land. From 1940-1954, the Prossers owned the property (no mention is made if they had kids – but suspect they did – everyone did back then) and who farmed and ran a dairy operation much as their predecessor.

In 1954, a family named the Koopmans moved in (how many kids is not said), with one of the parents occupying the house at least into the 1990s (or thereabouts – data is sketchy). For a time they operated a dairy too, but later sold most of what was the original land holdings and closed down that operation. Descendants retained ownership of the house up until recently. Today, there’s a fair sized plot of land that was once the farm, still empty behind the structure.

There’s several out buildings on the property, dating back to the 1910s-1920s era mostly. These are unseen in our photos and sit out back the house.

The Robertson/Lana Lang House was built in the Queen Anne Revival style, popular in the era, and features a number of elements commonly seen: open verandas, pyramidal roofs and most notable, a prominent turret with a conical top and finial. There’s a second lesser turret-like feature, a bit in back and on the opposite side of the first. The structure is pretty much as built and retains a high number of original features.

Most recently, there was fear the house would be threatened by a redevelopment project slated for the general area but nothing came of this. It’s said those behind the project seemed aware of its value as a heritage structure.

A number of residents of the house have claimed to have been witness to paranormal activity within its walls. Most often an apparition of lady is mentioned, typically said to be seen staring out a window from the upper floor. In all honesty that level of the house, unoccupied by the current residents as surplus to their needs, did have a “odd” vibe for us when we visited. It was cold and drafty, as old buildings often are, but more creepy than even that would demonstrate, without us being able to define exactly why.

The Superman Place has been historically recognized by the community and has been a stop in a heritage house tour organized by a museum group.

While seen only briefly from the outside in Superman III, the interior was used in the production too, without any modifications. Inside it looks much as it did when filming took place. In the movie the house can be found in “Clark Kent’s” hometown of Smallville. In addition to it, a church and school in High River, and the downtown core, also make an appearance in the film. See: Superman 3 then and now – Smallville.

If you’d like to view the Superman/Lana Lang House, please do so from across the street. There is no sidewalk in front of the house anyway, the road beside is busy and hedges block the view most of the time. Remember, people live here and while they themselves are fans of the movie franchise, they need their privacy just like you. Or, you can hit up the pathway beside the canal a bit behind the property and view it from the backside.

In a later post we’ll show you some of the the inside of the house. We shot a then and now and it’s finger’s crossed we lined things up right. And we’ll talk more of its history too.

Shot in High River…
Beachwood Estates – the wrong side of the wall.
High River Loop – a walk about town.

If you wish more information on what you’ve seen here, by all means contact us!

Date: May/November 2018.
Location: High River Alberta.
Article references and thanks: Vera Lynn, Museum of the Highwood, High River Times, Book – The Best of Times: Forging the Frontier, Jim Bowers @ CapedWonder.com.

Please respect that the Robertson/Lana Lang House is private property.

The “Robertson” House, High River Alberta.

More famously it’s known as the “Superman” House…

…Or the “Lana Lang” House…

…Due to its appearance in Superman III.