MacDonald (historian, Parks Canada, Calgary) presents the history of one of the most popular parks in western Canada. From a discussion of the British naturalist Charles Waterton to explorations of such topics as conservation, Native traditions, and townsite development, this study provides a broad interpretive history of the area. The text is supported with bandw photographs, art reproductions and maps. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Don Brestler's exquisite sketches and narrative skills bring to life memories and transformations of the Canadian West for young and old alike. A true Westerner, Brestler's love of the West comes across vividly on every page.
In Metis Pioneers, Doris Jeanne MacKinnon compares the survival strategies of two Metis women born during the fur trade—one from the French-speaking free trade tradition and one from the English-speaking Hudson's Bay Company tradition—who settled in southern Alberta as the Canadian West transitioned to a sedentary agricultural and industrial economy. MacKinnon provides rare insight into their lives, demonstrating the contributions Metis women made to the building of the Prairie West. This is a compelling tale of two women's acts of quiet resistance in the final days of the British Empire.
One of the most colourful chapters in the history of North American settlement began in the 1880s when the rich Alberta grasslands spreading east from the foothills of the Rockies became the magnet for cattle ranching. Award-winning Cattle Kingdom provides readers with all the colourful tales of raffish characters, political intrigues and partnerships, fortunes made and lost, and the harsh realities of prairie winters. The era also gave us the mythic figure of the cowboy, still prominent in Alberta today. Nowhere is the story of ranching more rich and varied than in Alberta. There was an assortment of high rollers, big-money men from the east, English lords and remittance men, along with refugees from the American west and ordinary folk seeking a homestead and a new dream. The newly formed North West Mounted Police was on hand as well. Famous ranches were created during this period, including the Cochrane, the Oxley and the North West Cattle Company (Bar U). The cast of characters included John Ware; the brave and foolhardy Major-General Thomas Bland Strange, who had plans for a ranch for retired British army types; and the scrappy Pat Burns, who parlayed a small slaughterhouse in Calgary into a giant meat-packing and cattle empire. By the time of the first Calgary Stampede in 1912, the cattle kingdom was on the wane. More and more settlers arrived and began fencing and farming the once limitless grazing lands. And then came the discovery of oil. But during its brief and brilliant season in the sun, early ranching in Alberta put an indelible stamp on the history and culture of the Canadian west.
In Plain Sighthighlights a selection of natural wonders and outdoor adventures located in southern Alberta. The places featured in this book have been chosen for their utter uniqueness, beauty and splendour. Some are easy to get to and easy to get around in; others require a bit more time and energy. Overall, you will be stimulated, enlightened, delighted, amazed, uplifted and broadened by the experience. These are truly awesome places, in the very real denotation of that adjective. All are in plain sight, though they are little visited by locals or tourists. The book contains chapters on Waterton Lakes National Park, Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park, Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, Dinosaur Provincial Park, the Whaleback and a number of other special places. The narrative covers the geological record and the natural and human history of the places in order to explain how each locale is unique and worthy of further investigation.
Through his incredibly varied fifty-year career, John J. Healy left an indelible mark on the Canadian and American west. At different points in his storied life, Healy was a soldier, a trapper, a prospector, a free trader, an explorer, a horse dealer, a scout, a lawman, a newspaper editor, a speculator, a merchant, a capitalist, a historian, and a politician. He defied classification while defining the lifestyle of a frontier adventurer and buccaneer capitalist in the late nineteenth century. In Healy’s West, Gordon E. Tolton cuts through the mythology and controversy of this larger-than-life character, giving us the most complete and truly balanced account of Healy’s life ever published. From Irish famine to army saddle; from scouting on the Oregon Trail to digging for mountain gold in Idaho; from taking on powerful monopolies to trading with the Blackfoot; from political manoeuvring to hunting down rustlers behind a sheriff’s badge, Healy challenged life, nature, enemies and, governments head on—in print, in business, and in physical combat. An entertaining and critical portrayal of the west’s most charismatic figure, Healy’s West is a must-read for any history buff.
Since 1927, sitting atop a knoll overlooking Upper Waterton Lake, the Prince of Wales Hotel has survived floods, fire, gales and even closure. Built for the Minnesota-based Great Northern Railway, the hotel initially provided an oasis for thirsty Americans during Prohibition. Now a national historic site, the lodge receives its rightful tribute in this extensively annotated book. Discover why a US railway would build a hotel in Canada 50 miles from its closest line. Read the nearly impossible saga of the construction site. Uncover the stories of the dedicated people who have worked to preserve and run this classic venue. Ray Djuff, a former employee of the Prince of Wales Hotel, spent 20 years researching this book, uncovering facts and details long considered lost. Vivid historical photographs bring to life the story of this grand survivor of the golden age of railway resort development.
Brown's remarkably adventurous life in Canada began in BC in 1862 during the Cariboo gold rush. He later became a BC policeman, Pony Express rider, buffalo hunter, Head Scout for the Rocky Mountain Rangers during the 1885 Riel Rebellion and a conservationist who fought to establish Waterton Lakes National Park. Here he is buried, this region of lakes and mountains his magnificent memorial. Possibly BC's greatest frontiersman, nevertheless, in Canada he is virtually unknown. By contrast, if Kootenai had lived in the US he would be as familiar as Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone.
Find Your Adventure with Moon Travel Guides! Snowy peaks, icy glaciers, glittering lakes, and alpine meadows: answer the call of the wild with Moon Canadian Rockies. Strategic, flexible itineraries from day hikes to a two-week Canadian Rockies road trip, designed for outdoor adventurers, families, winter sports enthusiasts, and more Activities and ideas for every traveler: Hike to incredible vistas and try to spot moose, bighorn sheep, and black bears. Ride over a glacier in an Ice Explorer, float through the sky in a mountain gondola, or white-water raft down rivers of snowmelt. Browse the museums and boutiques of downtown Banff, or go horseback riding though the Tonquin Valley. Indulge in fine French cuisine and spend the night in a luxurious mountain lodge, or fish for your own fresh dinner and camp under the stars Local insight from Canadian Rockies expert Andrew Hempstead on when to go, what to do, where to stay, and how to get around Full-color photos and detailed maps and directions, including driving times and mileage In-depth coverage of Banff National Park, Kootenay National Park, Yoho National Park, Jasper National Park, Waterton Lakes National Park, and nearby gateway cities of Banff, Canmore, Jasper, Calgary, Radium Hot Springs, Invermere, Golden, and Kananaskis Country Background information on the landscape, culture, history, and environment With Moon Canadian Rockies' practical tips, myriad activities, and an insider's view on the best things to do and see, you can plan your trip your way. Expanding your trip? Try Moon Vancouver & Canadian Rockies Road Trip. Sticking to one park? Check out Moon Banff National Park or Moon Glacier National Park.
