On February 27, 2016 I was privileged toattend a celebration in Milk River honouring Dr. Liesl Lewke-Bogle, RPAP Alberta Rural Physician Award of Distinction recipient in 2015.  On the drive home the following morning, I took a trip up Highway 36, stopping in at some familiar haunts, and not-so familiar places along the way.

Sweet Sunrise. Milk River #Alberta #Canada #morning #sunrise #sweetgrasshills #explorealberta

A photo posted by Jonathan Koch (@forgotten_alberta) on

The Wrentham General Store, also known as “Ron’s General Store” was listed in the Alberta Register of Historic Places in 1997. According to hermis.alberta.ca: “The Wrentham General Store, built by Oscar Grover, is located on its original main street site in the small farming community of Wrentham near Lethbridge. Oscar Grover, the builder and owner of the store moved to Wrentham with his new bride, Thelma Hirsche, in 1923 with the intention of going into business for themselves. They moved a rectangular shaped building onto a lot on Main Street, installed tanks and a fuel pump and opened a gas station. Over the years a repair garage, and implement, car and fuel dealerships were added. The store was expanded in 1942.” #Alberta #Canada #history #abandoned #hwy36 #explorealberta

A photo posted by Jonathan Koch (@forgotten_alberta) on

Rush hour in Wrentham #Alberta #Canada #abandoned #redcoattrail #explorealberta #hwy36

A photo posted by Jonathan Koch (@forgotten_alberta) on

C’mon to Wendy’s. Vauxhall #Alberta #Canada #explorealberta #drivein #neon #summeriscoming #hwy36 @jennspix

A photo posted by Jonathan Koch (@forgotten_alberta) on

A Prairie Gem. The Alberta Wheat Pool Elevator at the EID Historical Museum in Scandia. Listed on the Alberta Register of Historic Places, the AWP elevator was constructed following the completion of the CPR branch line from Cassils to Scandia in 1927. Following the closure of the spur line in 1977, a group led by local farmer, Earl Taylor, signed a 25-year lease on the C.P.R. right-of-way, acquiring the remaining elevators for one dollar. After nine years of meetings, preparations and construction, the E.I.D. Historical Park was opened at a celebration in September 1983. The park’s main pavilion, constructed from one of the elevators, was named the Earl Taylor Building, in recognition of this pioneer whose passion and foresight led to the preservation of this prairie gem for future generations. Mr. Taylor passed away in 1989. #Alberta #Canada #explorealberta #pioneer #museum #elevator #history

A photo posted by Jonathan Koch (@forgotten_alberta) on

Related: Earl Taylor – The little cowboy who had big vision

3 Replies to “Road Trip: Get Your Kicks on Route 36”

  1. Awesome Jonathan! Great to meet you last night and will keep in touch for future collaborations. Thanks for sharing our last Ogilvie Flour grain elevator with your Instagram followers!

  2. Hey Jason! Great to meet you as well, I look forward to meeting up with you later this year to see the Wrentham elevator and the Galt Historic Railway Park.

  3. You de best, Alberta man!! I love your posts. I love roadtripping this Forgotten Alberta. It’s amazing country. Keep writing and posting your fabulous photos, my friend!!

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