The Cypress Hills are one of my favourite areas in this province. I have written several stories about the park and surrounding area including, The Highest Point Between the Rockies and Labrador, which is about the Interprovincial Park, The Colourful History of Fort Walsh, which is clearly about the Fort Walsh National Historic Site, and Mud, Sweat and Gears, which is all about the best kept mountain biking secret in the province. The following post is a bit different altogether. As you already know from reading my previous work the Cypress Hills are an area that is rich in history. I won’t recap the details here, but human habitation dates back some 8,500 years, which is pretty impressive. This collection of historical photos obviously doesn’t go back that far, but it will give you a glimpse as to what life was like for some of the area’s previous residents. I hope you enjoy this compilation of photos and as usual let us know what you think in the comments below.
North-West Mounted Police under canvas, Fort Walsh, Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan, 1979Cree camp, Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan, 1879Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan, in the distance, 1873Hunter’s cabin near the Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan, 1870sAssiniboine camp in the Cypress Hills, 1878Cowboy on saddle horse, Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan, 1900-1903North-West Mounted Police barracks at Ten Mile detachment, Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan, 1890sEastend post North-West Mounted Police, Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan, 1880sNorth-West Mounted Police detachment of Medicine Lodge, Cypress Hills, Alberta, 1880sNorth-West Mounted Police horse camp at Grayburn Coulee, Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan, 1879Cree tipis, Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan, 1878Barn on Benjamin Simpkins’ Ranch, Bear Creek, Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan, 1905Destitute family of Cree, Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan, 1878First cottages, Elkwater Lake Provincial Park, Cypress Hills, Alberta, 1914Forest fire at Elkwater Lake area, Cypress Hills, Alberta, 1934Area of Cypress Hills massacre, Battle Creek, Saskatchewan, 1971 – Vintage Cypress HillsMedicine Lodge detachment, Royal North-West Mounted Police, near Cypress Hills, Alberta, 1915 – Vintage Cypress HillsPicnic in Cypress Hills, Alberta, 1910 – Vintage Cypress HillsGroup at Cree reserve, Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan, 1942 – Vintage Cypress HillsFive-eighths buffalo bull, Cypress Hills, Alberta, 1914 – Vintage Cypress HillsCowboys having a lazy day in Oxarart’s camp, Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan, 1890sFort Walsh, Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan, 1878Provincial Park buildings, Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan, 1955Herd of cattle grazing in the Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan, 1910-1911Row of cowboys on horses during round-up on the Hawke Ranch, Cypress Hills, Saskatchewan, 1896-1900
The photos above were collected from the Glenbow Archives. Additional information can be found for each photograph on the Glenbow website by searching the identification number that is printed on each photo. There is also the option to purchase a high resolution copy. Stay tuned for additional posts featuring historical photos from across Alberta. We’d love to know what you think in the comment section below.
Tyler is originally from Saskatchewan, and yes he cheers for the Roughriders, but don’t hold that against him as Calgary has been his home for the past eight years. He is a teacher working at a wilderness-
based treatment program for youth working to overcome addiction. Tyler is also a volunteer with the GOT Parks initiative, which aims at reconnecting Canada’s youth with our national, provincial, and territorial parks. During his time away from work, Tyler enjoys outdoor activities, such as hiking, biking, and snowboarding, team sports, travelling, photography, spending time with good friends, and being at home with his wife and German Shepherd, Rome.
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