MTM: Old Strathcona - Part IV

If you recall I have done a few other posts on a district called Old Strathcona, it is a wonderful funky, area on the south side of the river in Edmonton that used to be, many years ago, a town in it's own right. The links for the other posts are at the bottom of the page. Please click on any photo to enlarge.

Strathcona Public Library

From old buildings declared heritage sites to new buildings designed to look like they are from the same era, Old Strathcona is a bustling busy place filled with people of every type.

We have jocks during hockey play-offs in spite of the arena being on the far north end of the city.

Being so close to the University we have all the students trying out various persona's, deciding who they want to be.

Historical designation

Off the main drag, it is a bit quieter and we find places like the public library.
















This is a mural painted on the back of a newer building, that depicts what the area might have been like back in the days of yore.

The artist is in fact someone my sister and I went to school with and he is quite well known throughout Alberta for his murals, his name is Tim Heimdal and this article on him, is pretty accurate.

Connaught Armory

Connaught Armoury was built in 1911-12 in the then separate city of Strathcona. It served as the base for one of Alberta's most famous regiments, the 19th Alberta Dragoons. The regiment served with great distinction in the First and Second World Wars. Like many cavalry regiments it was reorganized as an armoured regiment, and after 1945 it became known as the 19th Alberta Armoured Car Regiment. The building is a fine example of military building in Alberta, and presents a formidable, fortress-like appearance with its stylized roof crenellations, heavy brick and masonry walls, and formal entry porch.

Unfortunately the above is the only information I can find on the Armoury aside from plans to turn it into something else and a news article denying the Legion the building to house their hall, instead it was to be used as a youth shelter.

It is a great building, I hope they don't screw it up.








However, the entire area is taken over for the Fringe festival and many of these structures are turned into impromptu theatres.















Some of the old buildings have been re-purposed far from the original intent as seen here.














Some, are still being used as offices as they might have been when they were built.












New construction is being done in such a manner as to blend in with the old. Sometimes better than other times.








The Art Walk is held on Whyte Avenue and down 104 St, artists showcase their works on the street and show passersby what they are working on, or how they achieve certain results.








The bank even went as far as to have the date inscribed in a plaque on the front of the building ;)














I think that is quite enough for today. There is much, much more to know about Old Strathcona though, so look for more posts on it in the future. If you would like to revisit the other posts, they are linked here:

Part I
Part II
Part III


Have a good day all.

For more My Town Monday posts, drop by Travis Erwins blog, he is the genius that started us on this journey and many people from all round the world join us.