In the current state of human progression, time travel seems like an unrealistic dream. But standing in a place where significant historical moments happened can, in a sense, transport a mind back to a different time.
Historic Calgary Week 2023 – a 10-day celebration of the city’s 140-year history – kicks off July 28 and runs until Aug. 7. The event is being put on by the Chinook Country Historical Society, in partnership with many other history-focused organizations that are coming together to share the history of Calgary and its surrounding areas.
In west Rocky View County, the Glenbow Ranch Park Foundation is one of the organizations looking to help bring the history of the region to life – in particular, Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park. The foundation will be offering golf cart tours throughout the park as staff bring attendees on a deep dive into the history of this particular area.
Executive director of the foundation Michelle Delorme said it is important that history be preserved and showcased. From Indigenous history to European settlers and the formation of the former Glenbow community, Delorme noted the importance of educating others on historical events.
“It’s easy to feel like you’re a puzzle of the history and you really have to dig deep for the history here in Alberta,” she said. “This whole region has this interesting, unique history of how everyone came and how we built the communities.”
Although Glenbow is no longer a community, Delorme said the former village played a significant role in providing sandstone from a quarry to help in the construction of buildings in downtown Calgary and the legislature building in Edmonton.
Delorme added that first-time visitors to the sprawling parklands southeast of Cochrane are often surprised when they visit Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park.
“The vistas of the river, and the valley and mountains in the background are just incredible,” she said.
Boasting 3,300 acres of parkland and 13 kilometres of paved trails for walking or biking, Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park is the perfect place for a golf cart tour. Delorme said the paved pathways provide easy access for their carts and said they have a wheelchair-accessible golf cart so all visitors can participate and see what the park has to offer.
Delorme said the focus of the foundation is the history of the park itself. By working with other organizations in the area, they are capable of creating a bigger historical picture.
She added that part of the foundation’s mission is to share the park's history while providing nature-based education.
“We get to work and participate with a lot of people who are interested in the history in the area and we just love being able to share that,” Delorme said.
Although the first tours took place on July 29, additional tours are scheduled for Aug. 5 at 9 a.m. and Aug. 6 at 1 p.m.
There is a $25 transportation fee for the tour and registration is required ahead of time.
Other nearby events
Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park isn’t the only Rocky View County locale taking part in Historic Week Calgary 2023.
On Aug 6 from 1:30 to 3 p.m., the Bragg Creek Historical Society will be providing a two-kilometre walking tour down White Avenue, which was Bragg Creek's original front street. The tour will tell stories about the early residents that resided in the area.
Refreshments will be served following the walk. Attendees are encouraged to dress for the weather and wear proper walking shoes. The meeting place is at The Post House Inn and Conference Centre, located at 36 White Avenue in Bragg Creek.
The day after the Bragg Creek walking tour, from 10 to 11:45 am on Aug. 7, the Bearspaw Historical Society is hosting a presentation on the 1920 Bearspaw Historical One Room School. Society members will take visitors on guided tours through the school, teacherage, and barn.
At 10:45 am, there will be a presentation on the 100-year history of the school and Bearspaw community. The meeting point is at 253253 Bearspaw Road, about a kilometre south of Highway 1A.
In the northeast corner of the county, the Pioneer Acres Museum just north of Irricana will also be taking part in Historic Calgary Week 2023. On Aug. 3 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., the museum’s Ron Carey Antique Truck Collection will be on display for visitors, and a volunteer will discuss the history, maintenance, and operation of the trucks, which were restored and cared for by the late Calgary businessman Ron Carey. The museum is open until 5 p.m.
For more details on Historic Calgary Week, visit chinookhistory.ca to download a brochure that highlights each and every presentation from July 28 to Aug. 7.
