Chronicling the pioneer-era people and places of the southern Alberta drybelt since 2009. Alberta Heritage Resources Foundation Heritage Awareness Award recipient.
#FABTRIP21: Hilda and Schuler
Earlier in the summer I took a quick trip with the family to see some sites of interest in Happyland, the friendliest little M.D. in Saskatchewan. Along the way we passed through the extremely photogenic corner of the dry belt that is home to Hilda and Schuler. Schuler is still very much alive and kicking, and Hilda never disappoints. The Big 10-4 in Leader makes a wicked Twister as well.
Hilda
“A smoky Saturday at the Hilda Hotel” – The Hilda Hotel first opened in 1928, and according to a Cypress County publication was the only hotel permitted to operate “in a radius to the Saskatchewan border, to Medicine Hat, to the south side of the South Saskatchewan River”.
When I originally researched the Hilda Hotel back in 2005, it reportedly held the distinction of being “the oldest running hotel never to have its license revoked”. It has been closed for several years now, and it seems unlikely that it will reopen anytime soon..The hamlet of Hilda, Alberta owes its name to settlers of German ethnicity who homesteaded in the area northeast of Medicine Hat.
According to ‘Place Names of Alberta’, the first post office here was named “Hilda” for the daughter of the postmaster of the time, Stan Koch, who judging by his surname was without question a highly intelligent and incredibly handsome individual.
“At its peak Hilda boasted six elevators. The Alberta Wheat Pool started operating in Hilda in 1928 and the service it provided to Hilda and surrounding area came to an end in May of 1997. The E.A.Mantz – Federal Grain elevator was constructed in late 1923; and the N. M Paterson & Sons Ltd. elevator was constructed in Hilda in 1924 shortly after the railroad was built. The Alberta Pacific Grain Company elevator was one of the first elevators built and one of the first to come down; it was closed and taken down in the early 1950’s. The Ogilvie Milling Co. elevator was constructed in the winter of 1923 – 24 and was one of the first to open; it was demolished in approximately 1985. The Lake of the Woods elevator first appears on the tax assessment in 1927 and was torn down in 1978.” – Excerpt from Cypress County: Celebrating our History
Schuler
“Norman Banks (Tim) Schuler came to the Schuler district in the spring of 1910, settled on a homestead and began farming. In the fall he was given the post office and named it Schuler. In 1923 the CPR was built and stopped where Schuler is presently located and the post office was moved.”
– Excerpt from Cypress County: Celebrating our History
Kurtis Louis Roy (@kurtislouisroy) tells me the sign over the door that reads “Schuler” is the last name of the individual who owns this residence. Perhaps a descendant of Tim? Be sure to check out Kurtis’s excellent Instagram page.
http://forgottenalberta.com/2013/10/28/bombshell-brought-wartime-sacrifice-home-to-bingville
I’m trying to find the identity of a house I found in my cousins picture collection of their time in British Block/Alderson area that was called the Mailman house. I’m thinking this was something to do with Alderson. My uncle John (Jack) Hulland bought or leased some land from a 90 year old man outside of Alderson perhaps in 1942 after the expropriation.
Great images! Those are 2 places I haven’t been yet.
Hey Jenn, they’re definitely worth the trip, Hilda especially. A dream for photo buffs.
Fascinating Laura Kaye resides near what LAKE IS THIS ???
Joce Kaye & brrr i mapped this province! So this is kewl ! ! !
http://forgottenalberta.com/2013/10/28/bombshell-brought-wartime-sacrifice-home-to-bingville
I’m trying to find the identity of a house I found in my cousins picture collection of their time in British Block/Alderson area that was called the Mailman house. I’m thinking this was something to do with Alderson. My uncle John (Jack) Hulland bought or leased some land from a 90 year old man outside of Alderson perhaps in 1942 after the expropriation.
Great images! Those are 2 places I haven’t been yet.
Hey Jenn, they’re definitely worth the trip, Hilda especially. A dream for photo buffs.
Fascinating Laura Kaye resides near what LAKE IS THIS ???
Joce Kaye & brrr i mapped this province! So this is kewl ! ! !