City of Lethbridge - History of Lethbridge


	History of Lethbridge

Historic Building Preservation

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History of Lethbridge

Every town or city has its own stories to tell and Lethbridge is no different. Lethbridge had its beginnings with the notorious whiskey trade followed by the development of a coal mining industry. Fort Whoop-Up which was located along the Oldman River was a whiskey trading outpost operating from 1869 to 1874 when the North-West Mounted Police arrived on the scene. Indian Battle Park is the site of the last battle between the Cree and Blackfoot tribes.

With the growth of coal mining in the city, the population of Lethbridge continued to grow. As the city grew and developed, businesses sprang up throughout what is now downtown Lethbridge. Saloons, hotels, general stores were the beginnings of many buildings, still standing in downtown Lethbridge. Fire Hall No.1, the Post Office, Chinatown, the Galt Hospital (now the museum) and the train station are all architectural reminders of our past. The city has expanded with the development of the agricultural service sector from a small coal mining town to a growing city of almost 85,000 residents.

This information was taken from "Lethbridge Historical Walking Tour". This guide in its entirety is available along with more information about the photos below and the history of Lethbridge at the Sir Alexander Galt Museum. All the photos below have been donated to the museum by local citizens.

Click here if you are interested in reading an incredible short story about the history of Lethbridge .

Click here to learn more about Historic Buildings in Lethbridge

Click here to see the Masonry Sculptures that provide pictures of Lethbridge's history.

For a page on the history of Civic Government in Lethbridge click here.




1882 This is the entrance to the first Coal Mine in Lethbridge. The mines opened on December 11, 1882.	1888 This is a picture of the second school in Lethbridge. It was located on the Northwest corner of 4th Avenue and 7th Street South.	1905 This is the exterior view of the North Trading Company, Supina Mercantile Company Store located in North Lethbridge. This photo was taken in 1905.




1912 This photograph was taken from on top of the standpipe at the corner of 9th Street and 5th Avenue and looks North down 9th Street. No.3 mine and North Lethbridge can be seen in the distance.	1935-1940 This is a photograph of the Lethbridge Collieries Limited Galt No.8 Mine in West Lethbridge taken sometime between 1935 and 1940.	1950-1965 This is a photograph of a man sitting on a swather with the City of Lethbridge visible in the background. This photo was taken sometime between 1950 and 1965.