Coleman Alberta (Sam’s Service Station)

Today’s location is downtown Coleman Alberta and in this piece we’ll be comparing two photos separated by maybe 75 or 80 years. It’s just an everyday street scene, here in this former coal mining town and really, it’s hardly worthy of attention, yet here we are. The prominent players in both images are Sam’s Service Station, the home beside and hidden from view present day, Crowsnest Mountain there in back.

We’ll be talking about everything you see and as always, thanks for stopping by!

The creation of these Then & Now posts is a completely satisfying experience for us and how strange, eh? When we get it right that is, and in all honestly many attempts just don’t work. Still, when the magic happens it’s wondrous and allows us to make a connection across time. To stand in the same spot as did the photographer of old is a thrill unrivalled.

We’re in the west end of historic downtown Coleman and down by the tracks (just behind out shooting position). In the old days it was a busy place but not so much today. You can wander the streets now and not see or hear much. There’s as many vacant buildings as those in use and only a handful of open businesses (Chris’ Restaurant, we’re looking at you).

Sam’s dates back to the the 1920s and the first reference we find in old phone books is 1928, but it’s possible they existed before that date. Not everyone had a phone in the early days and they were sometimes seen as a costly luxury. Sam’s was typical of the era and offered fuel, auto repairs and sold accessories. Just like every other.

At some point in the 1930s the exterior of the building was changed to how it appears today. Before, it was more of blocky affair (look at the historical plaque photo), but later, in keeping with a style then in vogue, transformed into something more Art Moderne in form.

Our old photo shows it’s a White Rose branded outlet and it appears it was from the 1930s onward. That company was a big player back in the day and a familiar name to the travelling public, but vanished from the scene in the early ’60s.

Sam’s Service Station appears to have been sold many times and for a stretch in the 1950s operated as Pete’s Service. That name vanishes late that decade and then the trail goes cold.

We find references to many gas stations in old directories from that time on but none included an address, so we’re not sure if any are of the old Sam’s/Pete’s location. No phone numbers match either, although that’s hit and miss at best anyway.

The business must have closed about this time – the highway by this point had bypassed downtown and coal mining was quickly winding down. Any service stations references we find from here forward do include an address and all are along the newer stretch of highway, up on the bench above the community.

So we can only assume they closed and nothing took their place. Present day, at least, it appears the property is used for old car storage.

As you can see the structure is little changed from then to now. The garage door seems have been enlarged at some point, but otherwise it’s much as it was.

Note the gas pump and White Rose sign in the old photo and there is what appears to be a person walking in the frame, far right beside the power pole. One can’t wonder who they are.

The Sam’s Service Station ghost sign seen now is not in the old photo, so perhaps it got painted over before the earlier capture and then later exposed? The form of the lettering suggests part of the sign extended beyond the building.

If we were to date the old photo, and it came with no real corroborating information, best we can guess is the 1940s. But it could be before – more in a moment.

The building far left, in our photo was built midpoint that previous decade – that has been conformed – but we’re not sure if it’s the same in ours as in the old image. They’re similar in form but don’t seem to line up. If yes, then our date seems about right and if not, then perhaps it goes back a bit earlier. Sometimes a vague guess is the best we can do.

The home next door is typical of the mining-patch and best we can tell it goes back to the 1910s. We found some street photos from around that time and we think it can be seen in the distance (they’re small pics and blurry too), but it doesn’t appear to show in older images.

There been some changes to it over time, but it’s still not all that different.

Saskatoon Mountain is that treed bump seen in both images (here: Saskatoon Mountain). While Crowsnest Mountain appears prominent in the old photo, it’s blocked from view today, at this angle, by a big ol’ tree.

Odd bits and pieces from other homes can be seen in the background and everything in that direction appears pretty much as it did. Is it me or does that Vette seem out of place?

All things considered, even taking in account any change, it’s as though time has stood still along this street.

The old image was sent to us some ago, but somehow misfiled and only recently rediscovered in an old archive. That was a blessing, because it’s awesome and the results quite pleasing! Even with the harsh light we had shooting our image, we like how it lined up.

The Then image comes thanks to the Galt Museum & Archives in Lethbridge Alberta and is from their Fort McLeod’s Anonymous collection. They were donated a group of old images some years back, but they came with little to no background information. You know, we might just have to see what else they have that we can use this way and have a little fun.

We welcome contributions from readers and if you have a pic that would make a good starting point for a Then & Now, please contact us. They must be your copyright (so not simply pulled from the web, but rather from your personal or family collection) and we can fill you in on what works, and how it all plays out.

We had a great time on this piece and please enjoy…

Know more (new tabs): Historic Coleman Alberta and Crowsnest Mountain.

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More like this…
Downtown Castor Alberta (Cosmopolitan Hotel).
Slocan British Columbia 81 Years Apart.
Unity Saskatchewan then & now.

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

Date of Adventure: Circa 1940 and September, 2022.
Location(s): Coleman, Alberta.
Article references and thanks: Discover Crowsnest Heritage, Medicine Hat & District Genealogical Society and of course, the Galt Museum & Archives Lethbridge.

A scene in Coleman Alberta separated by ~75-80 years.

Sam’s Service Station on left features prominent.

It’s been here since the 1920s, but looked different early on.

Some ghost signage remains.

A vacant house around the corner.

And out back, this old military truck.

Crowsnest Mountain is there, but hidden in our photo.