List of historic places in Southern Alberta facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

This article is a list of important historic places in Southern Alberta that are officially recognized in Canada. These places are special because they tell us about the past, whether they are important to the whole country, the province of Alberta, or just their local town.

Cool Historic Places in Southern Alberta
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Cool Historic Places in Southern Alberta

Blackfoot Crossing National Historic Site

The beautiful landscape at Blackfoot Crossing.

This site is super important to the Siksika Nation, a First Nations group. It's where the historic Treaty 7 was signed in 1877. This treaty was an agreement between several First Nations and the Canadian government. Blackfoot Crossing is a special place where you can learn about Indigenous culture and history. It's located in Siksika 146.

Brooks Aqueduct

The Brooks Aqueduct, an amazing old structure.

Imagine a giant concrete bridge built to carry water! The Brooks Aqueduct is exactly that. It was built over 100 years ago, between 1912 and 1914, to bring water for farming in the dry parts of Alberta. It's a huge example of early engineering and how people worked to make the land useful. You can find it southeast of Brooks in Newell County.

Canadian Pacific Railway Station (Medicine Hat)

An old Canadian Pacific Railway train.

Train stations were once the heart of many towns, and the Canadian Pacific Railway Station in Medicine Hat is a great example. Built in 1906, it shows the importance of railways in connecting Canada and helping towns grow. It's located at 402 North Railway Street in Medicine Hat.

The Amazing Drumheller Hoodoos

The unique Hoodoos near Drumheller.

The Hoodoos near Drumheller are natural wonders! These tall, mushroom-shaped rock formations were created over millions of years by erosion. They are made of soft sandstone topped with a harder capstone, which protects the pillar underneath. They look like something from another planet and are a popular spot to visit in Drumheller.

Atlas No. 3 Coal Mine National Historic Site

The Atlas Coal Mine Tipple, where coal was sorted.

The Atlas No. 3 Coal Mine is one of Canada's best-preserved coal mines. It shows what mining was like in the early 1900s. You can explore the old buildings and even go underground! It's a fascinating look into the lives of coal miners and the history of energy in Alberta. This site is near East Coulee in Drumheller.

Stirling Agricultural Village National Historic Site

Welcome to Stirling, a historic village.

The village of Stirling is special because it's a great example of a planned farming community from the early 1900s. It was settled by members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The village design, with its wide streets and irrigation system, shows how these communities were built. It's located at 4 Ave & 1 St in Stirling.

Leitch Collieries

The ruins of Leitch Collieries.

The Leitch Collieries were a major coal mining operation in the Crowsnest Pass area. These ruins show the remains of a large industrial site that was active in the early 20th century. It's a reminder of the important role coal mining played in Alberta's history. You can find these ruins west of Burmis in Crowsnest Pass.

Áísínai'pi National Historic Site of Canada (Writing-on-Stone)

The beautiful Milk River valley at Writing-on-Stone.

This incredible place, also known as Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, is sacred to many Indigenous peoples. It has thousands of ancient rock carvings and paintings, called petroglyphs and pictographs. These artworks tell stories and share knowledge from thousands of years ago. It's a powerful place to connect with ancient history. It's located in Warner County No. 5.

Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints National Historic Site

The beautiful Cardston Alberta Temple.

The Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Cardston is a beautiful and important building. It was built between 1913 and 1923 and is known for its unique design and the hard work that went into building it. It's a central part of the community's history and faith. You can find it at 348 Third Street West in Cardston.

Fort Macleod National Historic Site

A view of Fort Macleod.

Fort Macleod was the first outpost of the North-West Mounted Police (now the RCMP) in Western Canada. It was established in 1874 to bring law and order to the region. Today, you can visit the fort and learn about the early days of policing and settlement in Alberta. It's located in Fort Macleod.

Empress Theatre (Fort Macleod)

The historic Empress Theatre in Fort Macleod.

The Empress Theatre is a historic movie theatre in Fort Macleod. It opened in 1912 and is one of the oldest operating theatres in Canada. It's a wonderful example of early 20th-century entertainment and architecture. You can find it at 235 - 24 Street in Fort Macleod.

Territorial Court House National Historic Site

The old Territorial Court House in Fort Macleod.

This building was once the main courthouse for the North-West Territories, before Alberta became a province. It played a big role in establishing law and justice in early Western Canada. It's a significant piece of legal history. It's located at 236 23rd Street in Fort Macleod.

Medicine Hat Courthouse

The Medicine Hat Courthouse.

The Medicine Hat Courthouse is an impressive building that has served the community for many years. It's a great example of early 20th-century architecture and shows the importance of legal institutions in the development of towns. It's located at 460 - 1 Street SE in Medicine Hat.

Cypress Club (Medicine Hat)

The historic Cypress Club building.

The Cypress Club in Medicine Hat is a beautiful old building that was once a private club for important people in the community. It shows the social life and architecture of the past. It's located at 218 - 6 Avenue SE in Medicine Hat.

Hycroft China Ltd. Factory

The Hycroft China Ltd. Factory.

The Hycroft China Ltd. Factory was a place where pottery and ceramics were made. It's part of Medicine Hat's history as a center for clay industries, thanks to the local clay resources. It's located at 701 - 703 Wood Street in Medicine Hat.

St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church National Historic Site

St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church.

This church in Medicine Hat is a beautiful and historic place of worship. Its architecture and long history make it an important landmark in the city. It's located at 238 2nd Avenue in Medicine Hat.

Prince of Wales Hotel National Historic Site

The grand Prince of Wales Hotel overlooking Waterton Lake.

The Prince of Wales Hotel is a famous and beautiful hotel located in Waterton Lakes National Park. It was built in 1927 and offers amazing views of the mountains and lake. It's known for its unique Swiss chalet style and is a popular place for visitors.

First Oil Well in Western Canada National Historic Site

The site of the First Oil Well in Western Canada.

This site marks where the very first oil well in Western Canada was drilled in 1902. This discovery was a huge moment for Alberta, leading to the province's important oil and gas industry. It's located on Akamina Parkway in Waterton Lakes National Park.

British Block Cairn National Historic Site

The British Block Cairn.

The British Block Cairn is an ancient stone monument built by Indigenous peoples. These cairns (piles of stones) often had special meanings or marked important places. This site helps us understand the ancient history and traditions of the First Nations people in the area. It's located in Cypress County.

Treaty No. 7 Signing Site National Historic Site

The Treaty No. 7 Signing Site.

This is another extremely important site related to Treaty 7, where the agreement was officially signed. It represents a key moment in the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the Canadian government. It's located in Siksika Indian Reserve #146.

Sunnyslope Sandstone Shelter

The Sunnyslope Sandstone Shelter.

The Sunnyslope Sandstone Shelter is a natural rock overhang that was used by Indigenous peoples for thousands of years. Archaeological digs here have found tools and artifacts, showing how people lived and used the land long ago. It's a window into ancient life in Alberta. It's located near Didsbury in Kneehill County.

Earthlodge Village National Historic Site

The Earthlodge Village at Blackfoot Crossing.

The Earthlodge Village is part of the larger Blackfoot Crossing National Historic Site. It's where you can see the remains of traditional earthlodges, which were homes built into the ground by Indigenous peoples. This site helps us understand their way of life and how they built their communities. It's located in Siksika Indian Reserve #146.