Jasper’s Rodeo History
A Jasper Rodeo Timeline 1925 Jasper’s first rodeo was held at Henry House Flats. 1926 The Jasper Horseman’s Association was formed to foster a love of horses and encourage breeding of horses that would be suitable to the mountains. They hosted picnics, dances and annual field day. Originally it was a competition between owners and […]
The Chaba Theatre
Chaba Theatre Timeline 1922 The Otto brothers apply for a lease to build a movie theatre but in 1923 they sign the lease over to Jack Donnelly. 1923 Mr. Warren, GM for CNR, suggests a ‘moving picture house’ was in the interests of the railway and community. 1926 A theatre is built by Jack Donnelly […]
The Harragin Sisters
Mona Harragin 1904-1983 & Agnes Harragin 1906-1988 The Harragin sisters were born in the West Indies but moved to Salmon Arm, B.C. where they spent most of their childhood. Growing up, both girls had a love of horses and the outdoors. In 1926 they applied for jobs in Jasper where they got work at Fred […]
Designed By Calderon
Alfred Merigon Calderon was born in 1861 in Middlesex and emigrated to Canada in 1887. He trained with George Edmund and worked in Ottawa for 15 years where he partnered with King Arnoldi and later, on his own. Calderon moved to Edmonton in 1906 and was a founding member of the Alberta Association of Architects […]
First Ascent of Mount Alberta
2025 marks the 100th anniversary of the first ascent of Mount Alberta made by members of the Japanese Alpine Club guided by Heinrich Fuhrer and Hans Kohler and lead by Yuko Maki. The party was outfitted by Fred Brewster and George Camp was camp cook. They climbed the peak on July 21, reaching the top […]
The Lovat Scouts in Jasper
In the winter of 1943-1944 Jasper hosted the Lovat Scouts while they were trained in high mountain warfare. The town welcomed the Scouts with open arms and many long-lasting friendships were formed, with some Scouts returning to Jasper with their families after the war. Preliminary training, reconnaissance and camp set up was done in […]
1930 Jasper to Banff Ski Trip
In 1929 six Jasper men decided they would like to make a 220 mile ski trip to Banff following what is now the Icefields Parkway. During the summer they travelled by horse to several cabins in Jasper and Banff and stored bags of food for the trip. On January 15th 1930, Joe Weiss, Vern & […]
Jasper Churches
1914 A lease was issued for the Union Church on three lots between Patricia and Geikie at Balsam 1914 The original Anglican Church was built on the 700 block of Geikie out of cedar logs from B.C. purchased from the Grand Trunk Railway. 1918 The Roman Catholic Church applied for a site on the 600 […]
Hockey History
Before the outdoor skating rink was built, Jasper residents skated on the frozen lakes and ponds. One of the earliest skating rinks was located on Snape’s Hill where the engineers camp was located. Hockey matches became part of Jasper’s winter carnival on Lac Beauvert. From the earliest days, there were men’s, women’s and mixed games. […]
Jasper Railway Station
During WWI the Grand Trunk Pacific and Canadian Northern Railways were amalgamated to create Canadian National Railways. When the Canadian Northern Railway closed its divisional point in Lucerne in 1924, the population of Jasper doubled and Canadian National built much need housing for their workers. The roundhouse and turn table were expanded and three tracks […]