Stirling Agricultural Village
Encyclopedia
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
designated as a National Historic Site because of the community’s well preserved settlement pattern that follows the Plat of Zion model. The Michelsen Farmstead
Michelsen Farmstead
The Andreas Michelsen Farmstead, originally built in 1902 by Andreas himself as a two room house. In 1912 the house was added onto, to make 7 rooms in total, little has changed since...
was the focus of the community, and is now a totally restored museum, listed as a Provincial Historic Site in 2001. The Galt Historic Railway Park
Galt Historic Railway Park
The Galt Historic Railway Park, collects, preserves, restores, exhibits and interprets artifacts which represent the history and social impact of the "steam" era in southern Alberta and the coal era with emphasis on Galt Railway and the 1890 International Train Station Depot North West Territories...
is another popular museum located in this historic site.
History
StirlingStirling, Alberta
Stirling is a village in the County of Warner No. 5, Alberta, Canada. The village is located on Highway 4, approximately southeast of Lethbridge and northwest of the United States-Canada border....
was founded on May 5, 1899 by Theodore Brandley. The village was one of two communities that owed its existence to a partnership between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Charles A. Magrath
Charles Alexander Magrath
Charles Alexander Magrath conducted foundation surveys of the Northwest Territories from 1878 until 1885. He joined Sir Alexander Tilloch Galt and Elliot Torrance Galt in their western industrial enterprises as a surveyor, later becoming Elliott's assistant and Land Commissioner of the North...
of the North Western Coal and Navigation Company
North Western Coal and Navigation Company
The North Western Coal and Navigation Company also known as Alberta Coal and Railway Company, was a coal mining company formed in 1882 by Sir Alexander Tilloch Galt, one of Canada's Fathers of Confederation...
, and is one of only three communities designated as a National Historic Site of Canada. Stirling was named after John A. Stirling, Managing Director of The Trusts, Executors and Securities Corporation of London, which owned shares in the Alberta Coal and Railway Company.
After arriving at the Stirling siding
Rail siding
A siding, in rail terminology, is a low-speed track section distinct from a running line or through route such as a main line or branch line or spur. It may connect to through track or to other sidings at either end...
, Theodore Brandley quickly started planning the lay-out of the village. The townsite
Townsite
A townsite is a legal subdivision of land for the development of a town or community. In the historical development of the United States, Canada, and other former British colonial nations, the filing of a townsite plat or plan was often the first legal act in the establishment of a new town or...
was made up of one square mile (640 acres), then divided into lots of 10 acres (40,468.6 m²); each with a surveyed road around the entire area with a lane running north and south, dividing it into two parcels. The parcels were then again divided, east and west, making four lots, each 2.5 acres (10,117.2 m²), giving the residents room to build homes, barns and shelters for animals, with large gardens. Theodore planned the townsite after the Plat of Zion, which Stirling still follows today, and is recognized as the most well-preserved, Canadian example of the Plat of Zion. For this reason, Stirling is known as Stirling Agricultural Village
Museums and attractions
On the east entrance of Main Street is a newly built Information KioskKiosk
Kiosk is a small, separated garden pavilion open on some or all sides. Kiosks were common in Persia, India, Pakistan, and in the Ottoman Empire from the 13th century onward...
made to replicate that of an older Pioneer home found throughout Stirling and area. In the kiosk are historical markers and a map that shows many sites of interest throughout the National Historic Site of Stirling.
Museums
- Galt Historic Railway ParkGalt Historic Railway ParkThe Galt Historic Railway Park, collects, preserves, restores, exhibits and interprets artifacts which represent the history and social impact of the "steam" era in southern Alberta and the coal era with emphasis on Galt Railway and the 1890 International Train Station Depot North West Territories...
- Displays of life and travel in the 1880s are set up in the restored 1890 North West Territories International Train Station from Coutts, AlbertaCoutts, AlbertaCoutts is a village in Alberta and the location of one of the busiest Canada – US border crossings in western Canada. It connects Highway 4 to Interstate 15, an important trade route between Alberta, American states along I-15, and Mexico.In 2004, a joint border facility opened in Coutts-Sweet...
, CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and Sweetgrass, MontanaSweetgrass, MontanaSweet Grass is an unincorporated community in Toole County, Montana, United States, on the Canada-US border. It is the northern terminus of Interstate 15, an important route connecting western Canada, the western United States, and Mexico.In 2004, a joint border facility opened at the Sweetgrass...
, USA. The station was moved to the current location near Stirling, AlbertaStirling, AlbertaStirling is a village in the County of Warner No. 5, Alberta, Canada. The village is located on Highway 4, approximately southeast of Lethbridge and northwest of the United States-Canada border....
in 2000.
- Michelsen FarmsteadMichelsen FarmsteadThe Andreas Michelsen Farmstead, originally built in 1902 by Andreas himself as a two room house. In 1912 the house was added onto, to make 7 rooms in total, little has changed since...
- a typical farmstead found throughout Stirling in the early 1900s. The Michelsen's farmstead is taken care of by the Stirling Historical Society and has been completely restored back to its 1930s heritage. Located on the corner of 6th St. & 2nd Ave.
- Bishop's storehouseBishop's storehouseA bishop's storehouse in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints usually refers to a commodity resource center that is used by bishops of the church to provide goods to needy individuals...
, Also known as Lord's storehouse, moved to its current location next to the Kiosk on the corner of 1st St. & 4th Ave.
Local attractions
- Stirling Lions Club Fish Pond, Stocked every year with new fish for fishing. Corner of 7th St. & 4th Ave.
- Prairie Cactus Mini Putts, a privately owned Miniature golf course, open by request. Corner of 1st St. & 7th Ave.
- William T. Ogden HouseWilliam T. Ogden HouseWilliam T. Ogden House is a historic Neo-Classical Georgian style brick mansion located on in Stirling, Alberta, Canada. Construction of the house began in 1910 and was finished in 1919 by William T. Ogden. The house has been a rooming house, pool hall and a dance studio, and in 1934 it became a...
, a Neo-ClassicalNeoclassical architectureNeoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century, manifested both in its details as a reaction against the Rococo style of naturalistic ornament, and in its architectural formulas as an outgrowth of some classicizing...
style house that is declared as a Provincial historic Site of Alberta located in Stirling. Every year around HalloweenHalloweenHallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
the owners of the home decorate the 7000 sq ft (650.3 m²) house as a live haunted houseHaunted houseA haunted house is a house or other building often perceived as being inhabited by disembodied spirits of the deceased who may have been former residents or were familiar with the property...
, making it the largest haunted house in southern AlbertaSouthern AlbertaSouthern Alberta is a region located in the Canadian province of Alberta. As of the year 2004, the region's population was approximately 272,017. The primary cities are Lethbridge and Medicine Hat...
. 441 4th st.
- Lost Frontier Mini-Railway: The Lost Frontier Mini-Railway is a small train park open by booking from May to October and is a very popular local attraction. Located on the grounds of the William T. Ogden HomeWilliam T. Ogden HouseWilliam T. Ogden House is a historic Neo-Classical Georgian style brick mansion located on in Stirling, Alberta, Canada. Construction of the house began in 1910 and was finished in 1919 by William T. Ogden. The house has been a rooming house, pool hall and a dance studio, and in 1934 it became a...
, the park also has a petting zooPetting zooA petting zoo features a combination of domestic animals and some wild species that are docile enough to touch and feed. In addition to independent petting zoos, also called children's farms or petting farms, many general zoos contain a petting zoo...
. 441 4th st.
Events
- Victoria DayVictoria DayVictoria Day is a federal Canadian public holiday celebrated on the last Monday before May 25, in honour of Queen Victoria's birthday. The date is also, simultaneously, that on which the current reigning Canadian sovereign's official birthday is recognized...
at the Galt Historic Railway Park (May 24), visitors get guided tours of the Galt train station, build kites and participate in other activities. - Stirling Community Garage Sale (Saturday of May-long), community garage sale held by the Stirling Historical Society.
- LionsLions Clubs InternationalLions Clubs International is a secular service organization with over 44,500 clubs and more than 1,368,683 members in 191 countries around the world founded by Melvin Jones Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, United States, the organization aims to meet the needs of communities on a local and...
Community BBQ (June), community BBQ held at the Stirling Lions Hall. - Stirling Settler DaysStirling Settler DaysStirling Settler Days is a celebration held every year on July 24 in Stirling, Alberta, Canada.Stirling Settler Days is celebrated to mark the Mormon pioneers' arrival in the Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847...
(July), After Stirling's founding on May 5, 1899, the 24th of July, previously known as "Pioneer DayPioneer DayPioneer Day is an official holiday celebrated on July 24 in the U.S. state of Utah, with some celebrations in regions of surrounding states originally settled by Mormon pioneers...
" & now called "Stirling Settler Days", was celebrated to mark the Mormon pioneers arrival in the Salt Lake ValleySalt Lake ValleySalt Lake Valley is a valley in Salt Lake County in the north-central portion of the U.S. state of Utah. It contains Salt Lake City and many of its suburbs, notably West Valley City, Murray, Sandy, and West Jordan; its total population is 1,029,655 as of 2010...
. - Stirling Fall Festival (September), held at the grounds of the Michelsen Farmstead each year. Visitors get to make ropeRopeA rope is a length of fibres, twisted or braided together to improve strength for pulling and connecting. It has tensile strength but is too flexible to provide compressive strength...
, stick dolls, and dipped candles, there are also wagon rides as well as kiddie games. - Harvest Dance (October), also held at the Michelsens farmstead, Old-fashioned Barn danceBarn danceA barn dance is any kind of dance held in a barn, but usually involves traditional or folk music with traditional dancing. It is a type of dance, originating in America and popular in Britain in the late 19th century and early 20th, derived from Schottische...
. - Stirling Haunted MansionWilliam T. Ogden HouseWilliam T. Ogden House is a historic Neo-Classical Georgian style brick mansion located on in Stirling, Alberta, Canada. Construction of the house began in 1910 and was finished in 1919 by William T. Ogden. The house has been a rooming house, pool hall and a dance studio, and in 1934 it became a...
(October), located in the William Ogden House, also known as the largest haunted house in Southern AlbertaSouthern AlbertaSouthern Alberta is a region located in the Canadian province of Alberta. As of the year 2004, the region's population was approximately 272,017. The primary cities are Lethbridge and Medicine Hat...
. - Victorian Prairie Christmas (November), an old-fashion VictorianVictorian eraThe Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
Christmas party held at the Galt Historic Railway ParkGalt Historic Railway ParkThe Galt Historic Railway Park, collects, preserves, restores, exhibits and interprets artifacts which represent the history and social impact of the "steam" era in southern Alberta and the coal era with emphasis on Galt Railway and the 1890 International Train Station Depot North West Territories...
Station. - LionsLions Clubs InternationalLions Clubs International is a secular service organization with over 44,500 clubs and more than 1,368,683 members in 191 countries around the world founded by Melvin Jones Headquartered in Oak Brook, Illinois, United States, the organization aims to meet the needs of communities on a local and...
Christmas DinnerChristmas dinnerChristmas dinner is the primary meal traditionally eaten on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. In many ways the meal is similar to a standard Sunday dinner. Christmas feasts have traditionally been luxurious and abundant...
(November), a community dinner with traditional home cooking. - Santa Claus MansionWilliam T. Ogden HouseWilliam T. Ogden House is a historic Neo-Classical Georgian style brick mansion located on in Stirling, Alberta, Canada. Construction of the house began in 1910 and was finished in 1919 by William T. Ogden. The house has been a rooming house, pool hall and a dance studio, and in 1934 it became a...
(December), held at the William Ogden House in conjunction with the village's Christmas lights tour. - Christmas Lights tourChristmas LightsChristmas Lights is a 2004 British Christmas television special broadcast by ITV starring Robson Green and Mark Benton and written by Jeff Pope and Bob Mills...
(December), held in conjunction with the Santa Claus Mansion to view citizen's Christmas light displays.
See also
- List of national historic sites of Canada
- List of provincial historic sites of Alberta
- List of attractions and landmarks in Stirling
- Stirling, AlbertaStirling, AlbertaStirling is a village in the County of Warner No. 5, Alberta, Canada. The village is located on Highway 4, approximately southeast of Lethbridge and northwest of the United States-Canada border....