Town Walks: Claresholm Alberta

When we can’t hike in the woods, we walk in town – whatever town we’re in. One pleasant fall weekend found us in Claresholm Alberta, partaking of a little adventure that had us making a loop of the quaint prairie community. We’ll visit all four corners of town and there’s plenty of interesting things to see and pleasant streets to stroll down as you’ll be witness too soon enough.

We didn’t plan ahead and instead mostly winged it, but it worked out well. Winged it? We sort had an idea where we’d be going, but left it open for tweaking on the fly as need be. Of particular interest is a number of photogenic heritage homes passed and of course and the many old buildings in downtown. And there’s that not-the-city vibe we love so much.

Centennial Park on Highway #520 (43rd Avenue West), south side of town and west of the Number Two, makes a good starting point. There’s an old Harvard aircraft atop a pedestal at the southwest corner of the park that’s super interesting – you can’t miss it. Claresholm had an air training base (a little outside of town) in the World War Two/post war period, that’s still in use as an airport for personal aircraft and for a time in the 1950s Harvards were based there.

Head west paralleling the highway, then turn right (north) on Eight Street West. You’re at the very edge of town here with houses on one side and farmer’s fields on the other. That old barn across the road looks nice, and at a farm property a little further on, same side, a group of horses make it clear they want us to come say hi. A little nose scratch hits the spot.

Our walk happened close to Halloween and explains the bloodstained truck seen in one photo. That’s unless Death Race 2000 has become reality.

Turn right on 55th Avenue West and in a bit pass the kitschy Bluebird Motel, our home base for the weekend. Hi guys! Here’s a couple little pieces we did on the place: Bluebird Motel Then & Now and Bluebird Motel Claresholm.

Come to the highway – it runs right through town – also known as First Street West and turn south. In downtown now, turn left, cross the highway and enter the eastern sections of Claresholm (the other side of the tracks). We’ll come back to look at a few of the historic buildings in the town core, soon enough.

Like trains? Who doesn’t? Then head left and check out the sandstone railway station and caboose at the Claresholm Museum. We’ve never been inside the place, which is odd given we frequent museums…but some day. The station once stood in Calgary and moved here long ago when the city outgrew the facility. The rail line that passed through this community was pulled up about twenty years ago, incidentally.

Head east on 52nd Avenue East, right on Fifth Street East, right again on 50th Avenue East, right once more on Third Street East, left on 51 Avenue East and left on Two-A Street East, and come to the Claresholm Arena. That was a long sentence – now breath. The old man was a foreman when that building was constructed around 1980-ish and that it’s still standing is a miracle (said jokingly).

There’s been many nice heritage homes along this stretch, including a couple photogenic oldies that date back a century or so. In between there’s something about half that age, one built in the Brady style that we so adore. For some reason, we’re a fan, and perhaps this is proof we need our heads examined. All it needs is an AstroTurf lawn and Plymouth Satellite Wagon out front for the scene to be complete.

Back in downtown, cross the highway and head left (south). We’ll loop back and see more of this part of town shortly. Look west on 50th Avenue at the prominent two story brick structure (look for the “deli” sign). Housing a bank when built in 1911, it was also the post office for a time and now a coffee shop operates here.

Continuing south, look for the Country Kitchen sign. That business is long gone but it was left behind as a reminder of what was, here on a building that dates to 1910. Further along look for the ghost signage on what was a men’s wear store. JT Kingsley, a firm established in 1919, also sold saddlery and harnesses, and was gone from the scene in the 1940s. The old sign was hidden from view for decades before being exposed in the 1980s.

That brick edifice ahead is a hotel (from 1951) and was known at various times as as the Bell and Claresholm Inn. The signage seen reflects the latter, but we think they’re transitioning back to the original name, Bell, last used in the 1970s.

Pass the town’s water tower. Going back to the about 1910, it’s no longer in service, but was kept in place there by the busy highway, as an iconic symbol of Claresholm. Everyone sees it and everyone remembers it. More history here: Water Towers: Claresholm Alberta.

Left on 45th Avenue West, then right on Second Street West and at this point look for the house across the street with a prominent turret. It looks to be a very close copy of the much photographed “Witch House” at an abandoned farm in Saskatchewan (more: Backroads Saskatchewan).

Nice old home after nice old home (the town has it’s fair share as you’ve seen) and it pains us to not include photos of them all. But then this piece would grow way too big, so we had to pick and choose.

Come to 51st Avenue West after passing through downtown again and turn left, then go left again on Third Street West. Arrive at Amundsen Park, which makes a great lunch stop. You know…no matter how many bacon bits you add to Kale, it’s still Kale. That grassy space in the middle of the park, we think, was an outdoor swimming pool that at some point was filled in. Anyone? There’s a nice small town mural across the way depicting some event from the past.

Heading south on Third Street West, there’s more fine old homes to see. Then it’s right on 45th Avenue West, in behind the fire hall and enter Centennial Park again. Just follow the planes. There’s a whole bunch of art here to take in, the branding wall, that giant cowboy hat, and the human sundial. Thirty past one – seems about right. Wait, we’re done already and it’s barely past noon? We had a good time and now what to do with the rest of day?

Thinking…thinking…she looks at him, and he at her and after a long pause…VLTs! We’re spending our children’s inheritance you dirty ingrates…and off we go. Actually, we walked some more, but did not record it.

Claresholm goes all the back to the early 1900s and today has a population of about thirty eight hundred. It’s along Highway #2 between Calgary and points south, so while not off the beaten path, it’s still a quiet place once away from that busy thoroughfare.

Know more about the town (new tab): Claresholm Alberta.

Happy hiking!

They’re saying…

”For many years my wife and I have discovered great ideas for day trips throughout Alberta and B.C. by getting ideas from Chris and Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Not only do they have a lot of research behind the trips they have taken, but they provide us with simple and accurate directions, along with great photos of what we may find on our tours. We also appreciate it when they let us know that Public access is not available or special permission is required to visit some”Steve Tarzwell.

More in town hikes…
Sundre Loop.
Drumheller Pathways – Ice cream!
Vulcan Alberta “Trek” – Fascinating.

If you wish more information about this route or if you love to chat don’t hesitate to contact us!

Date of adventure: November, 2020.
Location: Claresholm, AB.
Distance: 8km loop.
Height gain maximum: 1m, give or take.
Height gain cumulative: see above.
NOTE: all distances and heights are approximate and may differ slightly from other trip reports (including our own).

Starting out at Centennial Park, Claresholm Alberta.

On the west edge of town.

This old barn and the endless sky.

A friendly fellow.

Close to Halloween.

It’s where all the cool people stay.

For all your western needs.

At the Clarseholm Museum.

Frogs underfoot.

There’s some fine old houses in town.

Some in the Brady style too.

From the early days.

In downtown.

The business is no more, but the sign remains.

Reading an info plaque.

Met us at the Bell!

Or is it the Claresholm Inn?

The water tower is over a century old.

Another nice one.

Shot during the US election…

Even with bacon bits, it’s still Kale.

There used to be a swimming pool here.

Small town mural time!

There’s so many!

Follow the plane…

The BIG hat.

Half past one…that’s about right.

Our route and of course, star = start.