Presenting two camping trailers from two different eras and side by side. The first is a modern example outside our field of interest and the second, something we’re hopelessly obsessed with. You guessed it, the latter’s a member of Boler fraternity and day or night, they’re on our mind. The...
For a time, long ago, the Sleepee Teepee Motel was a local landmark in the Crowsnest Pass of Alberta. Located in the community of Blairmore, it was kitschy to the extreme and made to look as though a western fort with a First Nation’s encampment out front. With battlements, a...
The word of the day is defined as โan aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accidentโ (dictionary.com). We’re talking about a special but unexpected aligning of the stars leading to good fortune. Incidentally, these extraordinary moments seem to happen to us with a frequency greater than it should. “Serendipity” at...
There’s some easy fun to be had in the rolling foothills southwest of Calgary and out in the Sandy McNabb trail network. Come take in the nice views from Long Prairie Ridge, a long low bump, running east-west and super easy to access via the route described here. Most of...
We’ve got a railway themed T&N for you today and here we’re looking down at the tracks in Cochrane Alberta at the Canadian Pacific’s transcontinental mainline. The first image dates from 1984 and shows an eastbound freight at the edge of town, and in 2014 we visited the same location...
We’re looking at a rare breed of little fibreglass trailer and get this, it was spotted maybe thirty clicks from its birthplace in Red Deer Alberta. The location is a town just south of that central Alberta city, and this a completely random find. There we were just driving by...
Good morning Equity Alberta! We’re on the ground at sunrise (and a gorgeous one it is), just south of this little dot on the map and looking at this relatively modern Cargill grain terminal. It’s not really historic in any sense, but it’s so pretty as a picture, we just...
Today we’re looking at Austin’s vintage heavy-hauling work truck, an early 1970s Kenworth W925 and approaching fifty years old it’s almost twice the age of its owner/operator. It’s seen here on standby for fire fighting duty and since the alarm could sound at any time, it’s kept prepped and ready...
There’s some silly fun in the forecast. Come jump on board Calgary Transit #1046, a vintage GM Fishbowl (still in old CTS blue) and hit the road with a group of crazy bus nuts for a special fantrip. We’ll be your guide, so grab a good seat and enjoy the...
Sometimes there’s little to say and we hate it! We love to share info dug up on whatever subject we’re covering, but for the Rothney Cabin seen here, it pains us to say we can’t. We don’t know anything about it so far and for someone that lives to babble...
This hike visits popular Jumpingpound Mountain in Kananaskis, via the centre approach and extends the fun by taking in sections of the rolling east ridge. We went to the second bump, but you can go further, and even connect with Moose Mountain if you like. If you’re feeling ambitious that...
We’re in bustling downtown Bawlf Alberta armed with a photo over a century old and have an idea to put it to good use. Cool plans at that! You guessed it right and yes, it’s Then & Now time! We’re looking down the wide main street (Hanson Street) of town...
Here’s the last wood prairie sentinel in Camrose Alberta, a type of building once common out in grain country, but to find one standing today is something rare. That’s doubly so for a grain elevator still in use, as this one is. While a late model example, from the 1960s,...
When you’re looking for a hike that’s quick and uncomplicated, the trail up Foran Grade Ridge is a fine option. Located in the Sheep River area west of Turner Valley, itโs not that far from Calgary, so convenient to us city dwellers. It’s an easy trek up to a to...
Here’s a Then & Now that had us travelling the West Kootenay region of BC and on the day of this visit, it was hot as Hades. Coming away feeling like a slow-roasted brisket, the amazing scenery and the experience overall made it all worth while. We were allowed use...
We’ll award bonus points for difficulty in the Boler spotting game for this one. This nearly hidden example was only visible from a very narrow angle & only then at the right moment, if one was looking back over their shoulder. I don’t know how Connie does it, yet here...
Here’s a spring discovery and had things greened up more, we’d have never spotted this derelict 1958 Buick hidden in the trees. Out here on the backwater prairies, it’s rare to find such an upscale car from that era and most rural folks back then drove pickups, or something else...
Itโs called the Great Beater Challenge, a convoy of the damned taking place over two days and about a thousand kilometres. The concept is simple: cross your fingers and drive a junker cross-country down some of the most remote roads ever and survive the ordeal. Interestingly most cars made it...
The city of Trail British Columbia is FULL of character. This West Kootenay community clings to the side of a hill and here we’re looking at one of the most interesting parts called the Gulch. The Historic Gulch. It’s a fine evening, in spite of the stifling heat, the sky...
Okay, this is strange…you might even say it’s plane weird. Plane weird? Get it! Haha! Here’s the fuselage of a former business jet, spotted on a property in the Kootenays of British Columbia. We were speeding down the highway, spotted it in the corner of our eyes and with some...
More often than not the little fibreglass trailers we stumble across are static, that is parked somewhere in storage or maybe in use at a campground. To find one in motion, like seen here, is less common and worthy of note. A lot of stars have to align for this...
We’re paying a visit to Parade Square at Currie Barracks, or Canadian Forces Base Calgary in more recent times. It’s located in the southwest quadrant of the city and just off Crowchild Trail. The first image takes us back to 1971 and shows a military ceremony taking place on this...
We’re looking at a section of old Number Three, the Crowsnest Highway, in its namesake locale, the Crowsnest Pass of Alberta. Along here we’re a stone’s throw from the British Columbia border and it’s just behind our shooting position. This stretch is still paved and can be driven after being...
There’s always time for a little hiking and while on the road to adventure, where ever it takes us, we’ll search out local trails. One fine fall day finds us southeast of Edmonton and itching to put feet in motion. The prairies are hardly a hiking mecca, yet more often...
We’ve toured a fair number of historic train stations the last while and that’s not a bad thing. There’s something about hanging around the “depot” the Team finds irresistible and we hope you similarly enjoy the experience too. This fine example belongs to the Canadian Northern Society, one of many...
The grain elevators of Carbon Alberta were in a scenic setting at the edge of town, and the emphasis is on once. They’re all gone now and vanished decades ago. That’s even if our memory insists it doesn’t seem like that much time has passed. Where they stood is present...
We’re always on the hunt and based on our own observations, we’re looking at something uncommon here. We’ve only documented a few in the last ten years and that’s of the thousands of little fibreglass trailers we’ve stumbled across. Research data confirms it too. Here’s a Beachcomber, not just a...
Today we’re looking at the restored train station in Viking Alberta, dating back to 1909 and now home to a gallery and arts centre. It still functions as a railway depot of sorts, and every once in a while, Via’s Canadian will stop to pick someone up or drop them...
Here’s a most enjoyable loop hike in the extensive Bragg Creek Trails system. There’s a million and one options in their extensive network, out in the foothills west of Calgary, so there’s always something new to do. Here’s one new to us and the goal is Baruch’s Corner Viewpoint atop...
The community had such grand beginnings that it quickly earned the title of city. Even now you might hear it called by that name, but the tiny population present day might leave you scratching your head. Where’s the skyscrapers and international airport? Where’s the damn Starbucks?! Born out of a...
Finally! Here's the very first Crossley Then & Now. At 1st St (now Erlton St) & 25th Ave SE Calgary, 1961 & 2024. Click see more ๐
This was just blocks from Crossley's house. The old fellow on the porch may be one Mr Potter who according to the directory lived at this residence at the time. It's also noted as the Potter House on the slide. Look at that old style street sign above his head.
This house dates to at least the 1910s & gone by the 1980s.
The old truss bridge was torn down shortly after Crossley's photo & replaced by the open-deck span still use today. More Then & Nows using his slides as soon as we get the chance!
Shout out to: Jason Sailer. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
September 1980 - inside an abandoned house in rural Saskatchewan - awesome panelling too. More below ๐
The calendar came from the Herbert Meat Market, Herbert SK, "Groceries - Produce & Homemade Sausage - Custom Slaughtering - Cutting & Wrapping". That's a very Saskatchewan scene there! That fake wood wall covering was big in the 1970s & 1980s. Okay, who had a house with it? Downstairs - den - rumpus room? Speak up!
Photo: 2014. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
(From 2016) No electricity & no plumbing but they did have a phone installed in the 1980s. Important - read more below ๐
You can see the junction box beside the lower right window & we found a dated install tag there. This house was last lived in not long afterwards. We did a full history of this house for the landowner but it's not online at the moment.
Did you know what over 70% of people who like, comment or share on our page are not subscribers? The very BEST way to keep on top of posts & to encourage new content, is to subscribe by clicking the "like" or "follow" buttons. They're on the right hand side of the page & above this post window. Our content is rather varied, but it's always interesting - if we see something we have to peel away the layers & then talk about it.
Thanks! _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
Crossley slides (unrestored), "Museum Train 1958" at CN's station a bit south of downtown Calgary. Click "see more" ๐
The Palliser Hotel far in back still exists. The church does as well - St Mary's & its steeple is just poking out above the locomotive. So does the station in back (barely seen - peaked roof) - it's used by Alberta Ballet now. There's a still a bridge at this spot - no more trains but you can walk it. Remarkably the locomotive, CN #40, is still around too & in storage at a museum in Ontario. It dates back to the 1870s!
We're not sure about the passenger cars, as we could find no record of which ones were used. Perhaps some are still around.
CN's museum train traveled all over Canada in celebration of the railway & its connection to this country & its people.
"The train was promoted with a lengthy documentary that was presented on the CBC. The locomotives and cars were museum specimens, and employees were selected to dress up in period costumes (i.e. Ca. 1850s to 1880s). The railway cars contained a very large display of historical records mainly relating to CNโs corporate predecessors..." - Andrew Elliott Transportation Archivist.
Shout out to: Jason Sailer. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
Legends of the Fall 1994 & 2014. We're so lucky these history projects take us to special places we could otherwise not visit. Channeling Brad Pitt & enjoying the view! _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Chris.
Lost Highways: A section of old 95 in SE BC still used for local access (& apparently a handy place to abandon cars). More ๐
This section is still paved, but in some spots badly deteriorated. It was bypassed in the late 1960s & the new highway runs a bit to the north. Chris recalls this was a great place for some fun reckless driving as a teenager in the 1980s, since traffic on it was minimal. That's still the case. Photo: 2022. _______
Exploring history with Chris & Connie from Off the Beaten Path. Thanks, Connie.
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