Now, down to Central Alberta to the town of Innisfail, where I was born and raised.
Innisfail (population 8,714 in 2024) is located in the Calgary-Edmonton Corridor, south of Red Deer on Highway 2. It is set in the rolling parkland of central Alberta, between the Rocky Mountain foothills to the west and the flatter Alberta prairie to the east:
The town’s name comes from an Irish-language epithet for Ireland, Inis Fáil, “Isle of Destiny”. Before this name was adopted, the town was known as Poplar Grove. Innisfail was incorporated as a town in 1903. Settlement would not be fast for Innisfail during the 1880s, but in 1891 the railroad was built between Strathcona to the north and Calgary to the south. This would cause a huge spur in development as Innisfail was a stop along the track. When the railway opened the west, station houses were built at distances of 18 miles apart, the names of the stations being Airdrie, Carstairs, Olds, Innisfail and Red Deer. This is why many prairie towns are situated 18 miles from each other.
Currently, Innisfail boasts a robust employment sector that includes anything from major national corporations to small mom-and-pop operations. Innisfail has subdivisions that are home to some of the most luxurious new homes in the province. There are many indoor and outdoor recreational and educational activities in and around the town. Innisfail is home to the Daines Pro Rodeo, Anthony Henday Campground, Dr. George Kemp House museum, a beautiful historic downtown with unique stores, the DINOs Centre, the Jungle Farm, the Innisfail Ski Hill, the Innisfail Golf Course, Edgar Farms, a skatepark, the Discovery Wildlife Park, Eagle Creek Farms, and nearby Red Lodge Provincial Park.
And, by the way, in case you’re wondering – natives of the town are known as “Innisfailians”, not “Innisfailures”!
Innisfail Historical Village
We all spent a very interesting afternoon touring Innisfail’s Historical Village. As a child, I remember these buildings being brought into town and the Village being created. It has really grown in recent years and we were fascinated by the breadth of the displays.
The Village is comprised of seventeen buildings displayed on two acres of land. These buildings are furnished to interpret the history of the area up to the 1930s. There is a large display of farm machinery and a day-use picnic area.
We spent a couple of hours here admiring the buildings and artifacts:
“The Spruces”
Built in 1884, this stopping house called “The Spruces”, was originally constructed 4 miles north of Innisfail. There were a series of these shelters located about 20 miles apart on the original Calgary-Edmonton Trail providing food and lodging for stagecoach travelers, military members and area pioneers. The Spruces is the only original stopping house remaining from that era and was donated by the Gibson family.
The Bowden Train Station
The Calgary-Edmonton rail line was completed as far as Innisfail in 1891. This Canadian Pacific station was built in 1904 at a cost of $2,975 to serve Bowden and area. It was deactivated on October 14, 1968. For the pioneers it was the building of welcome to new settlers and the main centre of communication as it housed the telegraph link to the world. The station was donated by the Canadian Pacific Railway.
The Blacksmith Shop
In the early 19th century, most of the iron trades in rural areas tended to be performed by separate craftsmen. Around 1850 the blacksmith’s shop became the new reality: here a single craftsman performed all the varied forms of ironwork that could no longer support those who practised the individual crafts. Although the blacksmith made objects that were less refined than those of his predecessors, he built a unique technology based on knowledge derived from the various iron trades and from skilled habitants, blacksmiths from Ireland, Scotland and England, and artisans who had worked with metal in small American industries (e.g., quarries, brickworks).
Fire Brigade From The Past
This was Innisfail’s first motorized fire engine. It was used by the Innisfail Volunteer Fire Department for over 35 years. It was restored and brought back to the Innisfail Historic Village in 2006.
Used by the Innisfail Volunteer Fire Department from the 1890s until the 1920s.
The Hespero Church
Built in 1938, just west of Sylvan Lake, this is an excellent example of the older style. It is nondenominational and represents all churches built by our pioneers
Parker Cabin
This house was built in 1928 by Charlie Parker for his hired man’s family. It was located one mile south of the Penhold overpass on Highway #2.
Loved the history. I never knew the 18 mikes apart thing but it makes sense. Thanks for sharing Marv.