Saturday, June 19, 2010

Fort Edmonton Park
in Photos (part 3)

Stage coaches and horse drawn wagons replace the electric trolley on the 1885 street. People made due with simpler tools and lived a simpler life.

Northwest Mounted Police

The officer stationed here would have a circuit that covered many, many miles. He might be in Edmonton every two weeks or so. The rest of the time he was on the trail riding from outpost to outpost. His biggest concern--in 1885--was assuring that the Cree were staying on the Reserve and not encroaching upon the properties of their neighbors. The Metis Uprising to the southeast sent panic throughout the local populace but nothing ever happened in Edmonton.

The father of the modern day young lady posing with the Constable is a Royal Canadian Mounted Policeman.

NWMP Outpost, Gun Shed and Jail

This was located behind the Constable's Main Street office. We did not walk down to get a closer look at this impressive structure. They were only allowing 6 youngsters in at a time...and the fools were letting them back out!


Young women out shopping passes the bakery.

"Paper or plastic?" was not the question. If you didn't bring your own basket to market, what ever you purchased was likely to be bundled up in brown paper and tied with a string. The boardwalk obviously kept this young lady's hem free from mud--or worse.


Jewellery Shop

Even in 1885, there was a market for jewellery and Raymer's shop filled the bill. Watch and clock repair were also a staple in the business conducted here.

The Hardware Store

One of the more important sources of building materials and supplies for a growing community in 1885. (The false front began to make its appearance in the mid 1800s. It's obvious that they could serve as the billboard of the day.)

No comments: