Coronation Roadmaster’s House Museum

We could only manage a quick stop at the Coronation Roadmaster’s House Museum on this extended road trip, but you can count on us paying it a revisit next time we’re in the area. We’re out in the east-central reaches of Alberta and it’s a section of flat prairie extending off to the horizon in whatever direction one points themselves. It’s farms, ranches and little towns scattered about, and that big expanse of sky.

The town of Coronation dates back to the early 1910s and founded with the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway. It’s a pattern repeated time and again across the prairies. That is trains, town and settlers all showed up at about the same time. While a real cart before the horse kind of scenario and a puzzling approach, it seemed to work. This will be a short post and we’re hoping expand on it all should we return. I’m sure it’ll happen and look forward to the possibilities of seeing our subject building on the inside as well.

This line, the CPR’s Lacombe Subdivision, functioned as a grain branch that ran west from a connection with the Edmonton to Calgary line out near Lacombe and into Coronation. From there, it continued, but functioning as the Coronation Subdivision now and continued east. Eventually it went all the way into Saskatchewan and points beyond. Agriculture drives the local economy around here and always has.

Sections of this line, on the west end, remain in service today, but though Coronation the rails had been removed by approximetly 2000.

For the last half dozen years of operation, a short line firm called Central Western utilized the track, but even with their lower operating costs, even they had to call it quits at some point. Grain does not pay well compared to other commodities, in railway circles, and it’s hard to make a go of it, except on the highest density lines.

Today the town has a population close to nine hundred and seems to be doing okay. Many agricultural communities out on the prairies have shrunk since the early days but here it’s remained pretty stable. A bit of trivia: “The population of the community, and the district, was heavily British…(so) The town was named in honour of the recent coronation of King George V…” Hermis.Alberta.ca.

Given Coronation’s position as a railway division point (where two segments met) meant it was central to operations along this stretch. The town functioned as base for local crews and HQ for those who kept everything running.

In addition what’s already been spoken of, there were a couple stub-end branches in the immediate area and served from here. Adding it up, you could count on lots of train action here…in the early days that is. In more recent times it regressed to a sleepy little branch and that’s in sharp contrast to the heady days of old.

The Coronation Roadmaster’s House Museum includes its namesake building (built 1911), a caboose, plus a number of other period structures and is located on a plot of land beside the old railway line. The track used to run right passed the property, here at the southwest corner of town, but there’s scant evidence anymore of anything train related.

The roadmaster’s job was to oversee all operations along his section of track and keep things running smoothly. Not only was the building this person’s home but also typically they were joined by family. Single men were rarely employed in these positions and those with deeper roots seen as more stable.

The town’s train station used to be located just a stones-throw east of here. Now there’s just a big open field, where it and the town’s grain elevators plus the associated rail-yard were once located.

Prior to its use as the roadmaster’s residence, it was a section house for the employee whose job was upkeep of anything and everything along a specific stretch of track. These houses, and there were many, were built to a common pattern and located at strategic points up and down every railway line. Here’s another and a more detailed explanation of use: Section House. The task is approached differently today and the job of sectionman a distant memory.

The roadmaster’s house is a recognized historic resource and interestingly sits where built. It hasn’t moved. With the railway line through the area less and less important over the years, it became surplus to the railway’s needs and the house made into a rental property at some point. Who wouldn’t want to live in a former railway building? Hands up! Hmmm, so it’s only us, eh?

The church seen in the photos is not part of the museum, but located nearby and quite interesting in itself. It appears to no longer be used and perhaps has an uncertain future.

So here’s hoping we can stop by Coronation Roadmaster’s House Museum next time we’re in the area and hook up with the caretakers. We have some ideas for photos and so want to blab about it more than we’ve done here.

Hope you enjoyed this quick little diversion and we now return you to regular programming.

Know more (new tab): Coronation Alberta Roadmaster’s House Museum.

They’re saying…

”Chris & Connie research & share the details of their subjects & share their awesome photography! Thank you!” Sandra Beaudoin, Hanna Roundhouse Society (see: Hanna Roundhouse Revisited).

Small town museums…
Hanna Pioneer Village & Museum.
Scandia Eastern Irrigation District Museum.
Museum Tour: Viking Alberta.

If you wish more information on what’s seen here, don’t hesitate to: contact us!

Date of Adventure: May, 2022.
Location(s): Coronation, Alberta.
Article references and thanks: Alberta Register of Historic Places and the book – In the Beginning: a history of Coronation, Throne, Federal and Fleet Districts.

This old church in Coronation Alberta is close to our subject.

A quick look at the Roadmaster’s House Museum.

It’s a registered historic resource.

A caboose also on display.

The town’s named in honour of George V becoming king.