Bluebird Motel Then & Now

We’re in Claresholm Alberta at the Bluebird Motel and comparing how the business looks today to an old postcard from about fifty years ago. Spoiler alert: it hasn’t changed! In this crazy fast paced world of constant flux, it represents a timeless scene. Our home one fall weekend it functioned as a base for adventures in the area and more than just a place to crash, also, as you see here, it became woven into the story.

The Bluebird dates back to the late 1940s but in this post we see how it appeared from the 1960s period on. They started off modestly, then expanded over time, and in true rural spirit did it on a modest budget. Many of the buildings on the property were made from salvaged materials and some cabins (not seen from this angle) were bought second hand from Calgary. Curious? Look for a link further down that delves into the motel’s history.

The then image (ca 1970) was shared with us by the motel in electronic form and at the same time, they presented a printed postcard shot from about the same angle, that differs somewhat. We preferred the first given it’s a more broad view and that’s easier for us. If you have an old photo or postcard, free of copyright or your copyright (ask if unsure), you think would inspire a great Then & Now, you know what to do.

We found several exact copies of this postcard online at collector sites and any used ones displaying postmarks were dated early 1970s, which was used to help date the card. One website posted an image of the back and it reads:

BLUEBIRD MOTEL
Box 188, Claresholm, Alberta
Highway 2 – Phone 235-3585
TV – Some Kitchenettes
Pets Welcome – Quiet & Comfortable

The phone number listed is also telling and was in use about that time. It later changed.

The second post card appears to be a reprint of one also produced in the 1970s (but later that decade, based again on the phone number) and reads similarly on the back.

At this point we normally discuss what’s changed in the scene, but there’s not much to say here (sound of crickets chirping). Everything’s the same!

Okay, the sign’s gone (and what a kitschy sign it was), and similarly the phone booth (on the left, old image) plus the office roof has been extended out. That’s it, that’s all we got to talk about. Well, the trees are bigger now and some poles are different, but that’s kind of whatever.

These Then & Nows work best when there’s either been major change, where only one or two things are left to connect the two eras, or as here, where it’s been minimal. Time has stood still at the Bluebird Motel and that in some ways is incredible.

If you think that’s something, then check out this place: Crowsnest Pass Then and Now – Greenhill Hotel. Close to a century separates the photos in that piece and it still looks the same.

Just noticed – is that a street sign to the right of the Bluebird sign in then image? If so, it’s not very well lined up with the intersection behind the photography position and on closer inspection, even looks a bit fake. Speaking of the Bluebird sign, you’ll see it’s been shopped in on the newer postcard. We’re not sure what happened to it by this point (nor did the motel staff), but clearly it had been moved or removed from the position seen in our comparison. It must have been a local landmark and so perhaps added in due to some perceived value.

Those colourful deckchairs are awesome!

It’s a little hard to ID the car seen in the then image (only confirmed as a BIG American land-yacht), but sharp-eyed readers will spot the mighty BIGDoer-mobile sitting in the same position in our now photo. That little econo-box is famous in its own right.

These two images lined up about as well as can be expected, given all the variables in play. They’ll never be spot on, but usually we get pretty close. What you don’t see are how many times we’ve blown it and those are never seen nor heard of again

We did a little history write up on the place and to see it, go here: Bluebird Motel Claresholm.

Interesting tidbit: motels would often give away postcards as advertising premiums. The Bluebird still does! Doing this back then afforded them a cheap and easy way of getting their name out and you as the sender would become a direct (if not always impassioned) endorser. In advertising circles they call that a win-win. The postcards they hand out today could still be used that way, but we suspect most are kept as souvenirs. Who mails anything these days?

Up until the 1980s or so, most motels had these printed up and we see them all the time out in the wild. We’ve even used a few for this Then & Now series. Postcards are now mostly collectibles, with numerous websites devoted to the hobby and those people into it are called deltiologists. Here’s another “now you know” moment, brought to you by this website.

Know even more: (new tab): Bluebird Motel Claresholm (Google).

Please drop by often and be sure to say hi!

They’re saying…

”Chris & Connie research & share the details of their subjects & share their awesome photography! Thank you!” Sandra Beaudoin.

More like this…
Wrentham Alberta 25 Years Apart – So much change!
Superman 3 Then & Now – Lana Lang’s – The house in the movie – inside too.
Calgary then and now – Civil Defence – Duck and cover!
Canadian Pacific Railway then and now – Banff Park – It’s an obsession.

Something to say and no one to say it to? Go here: contact us!

Date of Adventure: October, 2020.
Location: Claresholm, AB.
Article references and thanks: Bluebird Motel Claresholm, DanOCan.com and the HRHS pamphlet – Early History of the Bluebird Motel.

The Bluebird Motel about 1970 and today.

A second postcard with a slightly different view.