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January 18
1924
HISTORICAL SOCIETY HOLDS FIRST MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION IN PUBLIC LIBRARY. A PAPER ON THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT AS GIVEN BY MR. W. LAURIE, VETERAN LAWYER OF CARDSTON.
1927
MAYOR HARDIE WILL NOT CONTEST THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. HE WILL BE RETIRING AFTER FOURTEEN YEARS.
1932
REV. ROY TAYLOR, RESIGNS PASTORATE OF FIRST UNITED
WELL KNOWN UNITED CHURCH MINISTER WILL LEAVE THE CITY AT THE END OF JUNE.
1940
DIPTHERIA CASE IN LETHBRIDGE.
1941
WESTERN AIR HOPES TO BE FLYING HERE WITHIN 30-60 DAYS.
1952
FOURTEEN ACRE SITE RESOLD FOR NEW GALT HOSPITAL.
1952
MARQUIS HOTEL OPENS NEW RENOVATED PREMISES.
1952
ALDERMAN G.S.LAKIE ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF CITY RECREATION COMMITTEE.
1952
AGT MOVES AUTOMATIC PHONE EQUIPMENT TO THIRD FLOOR OF AGT BUILDING AND EXPANDS TO PROVIDE SERVICE FOR 1,000 NEW PHONES.
1960
PYRAMID MOTOR SALES LTD. MARKS TWENTY-FIVE YEARS IN CITY.
IT IS THE OLDEST FRANCHISED CAR DEALER IN LETHBRIDGE.
1960
ROY CLINIC OPENS NEW BUILDING AT 2ND AND 8TH ST. THIS STRUCTURE ALSO CONTAINS THE WORKERS COMPENSATION BOARD.
1961
CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN ON ADDITION TO WESTERN CANADIAN SEED PROCESSORS PLANT.
1961
EL RANCHO MOTEL GETS BEER LICENSE AND BEER PARLOR CONSTRUCTION TO BEGIN BEFORE FEB.1.
1962
CANADIAN DRESSED MEATS PACKING PLANT OPENS.
1962
REQUEST FOR SUBDIVISION IN HARDIEVILLE DENIED.
1963
VISITING HOURS AT LETHBRIDGE MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL TO BE CHANGED FROM 2-3 PM. AND 7-8 PM TO 10:30 AM-8:30PM.
1963
GAS-FIRED INCINERATOR USE RECOMMENDED FOR GARBAGE DISPOSAL.
1964
BUS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR STUDENTS OF ST. FRANCIS AND ST. JOSEPH'S SCHOOL.
1965
DR.WILLARD HAIG, ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE HAIG CLINC RETIRES.
1965
PLANNERS FAVOUR WEST SIDE SITE FOR THE UNIVERSITY.
1966
UNIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT PLAN PROPOSED.
1967
EXPECT 1967 CONVENTIONS COULD BRING $1,000,000 TO THE CITY.
1967
SOIL TESTS CONDUCTED AT NEW PARKADE SITE.
1971
CHARGEX CHARGE - CARD SYSTEM BEGINS IN LETHBRIDGE.
January 19
1906
ECKSTROM'S ROLLER SKATING RINK OPEN.
1906
EMPIRE CLUB OPENED PREMISES.
1920
JOSEPH GILLESPIE APPOINTED CHIEF OF POLICE AT A SALARY OF $200 PER MONTH.
NEW CHIEF SAW TWENTY YEARS OF SERVICE WITH RNWMP RETIRING WITH RANK OF SGT.
1926
FIRE DESTROYS HYDE & SHARMAN WAREHOUSE ON 2ND AVE. LOSS ESTIMATED AT $32,000.
1928
NEW ST.PATRICK'S SCHOOL OPENED ON 4TH AVE. SOUTH. IT WILL HOUSE SEVENTY-FIVE STUDENTS FROM GRADES SEVEN TO TEN.
1932
JAIL BREAK, ARMED ROBBERY STIR CITY
A PROMINENT LOCAL GARAGE MAN WAS SHOT BY HOLDUP MEN. A.W."BERT"MAXWELL WAS WOUNDED IN THE LEFT SHOULDER.
THE TERMINAL SERVICE STATION WAS HELD UP BY THE ARMED TWOSOME. A DESCRIPTION WAS GIVEN OF THE TWO
1932
JOHN SAJDAK A YOUNG RUSSIAN ESCAPES FROM PROVINCIAL JAIL
JOHN HAD TWO DAYS LEFT TO SERVE ON A THIRTY DAY VAGRANCY CHARGE.
1945
YATES POSTS A NOTICE - "I HAVE SOLD MY LUMBER YARD TO BEAVER LUMBER."
1950
ANNOUNCEMENT THAT WORK ON LIBRARY EXPANSION TO START ON MAY FIRST.
1950
F. H. WILKINS RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF LETHBRIDGE PUBLIC HEALTH BOARD.
1954
ARTICLE IN LATEST ISSUE OF MACLEANS MAGAZINE SAYS LETHBRIDGE. IS "RICH, COMFORTABLE AND COMPLACENT".
1960
FIRE HALL NO.3 TO BE LOCATED AT CORNER OF 10TH AVE. AND 17TH ST.S.
1961
WINSTON CHURCHILL HIGH SCHOOL OFFICIALLY OPENED WITH READING OF PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL.
1963
CITY FINALLY RECEIVES TITLE TO A PROPERTY IN CHINATOWN WHICH WAS TECHNICALLY OPEN RANGE OR WILDERNESS COUNTRY.
1967
SHOPPING CENTRE ON MAYOR MAGRATH DRIVE PLANS TO BE READY JAN.25.
1968
ARTHUR ERICKSON APPOINTED
1968
ARTHUR ERICKSON OF ERICKSEN-MASSEY ARCHITECTURAL FIRM, PLANNERS OF SIMON FRASER UNIVERSTIY, APPOINTED TO DESIGN THE U.OF L.
1970
VACANT HOUSE AT 2316 28TH ST BURNS.
1970
SEVENTY - SEVEN PEOPLE APPLY FOR THE POSITION OF CITY MANAGER.
1970
SEPARATE SCHOOL BOARD'S EDUCATION CENTER COMPLETED.
1971
TWENTY KENNEL DOGS, WORTH $2,000 LOST IN BLAZE AT WALTER FRY FARM, EAST OF THE CITY.
1972
AGT WILL CONSTRUCT NEW BUILDING AT 804 4TH AVE. S.
1974
WORK BEGINS ON CONSTRUCTION OF LETHBRIDGE CENTRE.
1981
BARD'S SOD HOUSE WAS STANDING UNTIL THIS DATE, WAS DEMOLISHED FOR SAFETY REASONS
BARD HERGISTAD (THE SOD MAN)
January 20
1920
PIONEER LETHBRIDGE PUBLISHER E.T.SAUNDERS DIES IN CALIFORNIA.
MR.SAUNDERS WAS ONE-TIME PUBLISHER OF THE LETHBRIDGE NEWS - THE CITY'S FIRST NEWSPAPER AND ONE OF THE EARLIEST PUBLICATIONS IN THE WEST.
1930
ANOTHER BORDER OIL WELL COMES IN
MID-CONTINENT OIL CO. OF CALGARY CONFIRMED THE STRIKE AT THE BORDER. THE STRIKE WILL MAKE ONE HUNDRED BARRELS AN HOUR. THIS WELL IS PART OF THE RED COULEE FIELD WEST OF COUTTS.
1931
SHAUGHNESSY MEN STRIKE
POLICE WERE CALLED IN TO MAINTAIN ORDER ON A STRIKE IN THIS COMMUNITY. THE STRIKE AFFECTS 150 PIT WORKERS.
IT IS CLAIMED THAT THE STRIKE WAS BEGUN BECAUSE THE CADILLAC COAL CO. HAD BROKEN AN AGREEMENT WITH WORKERS
1932
BANDIT DUO, JAIL BREAKER STILL AT LARGE
WIDESPREAD SEARCH IS UNDERWAY BUT SO FAR IT HAS PROVED FRUITLESS. ALL ROADS AND TRAINS ARE BEING SEARCHED.
1950
GEORGE WATSON RE-ELECTED CHAIRMAN OF LETHBRIDGE TOWN PLANNING COMMISSION. THIS IS MR. WATSON'S THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR AT THIS POSITION.
1956
FORMER SYNAGOGUE DEMOLISHED TO MAKE WAY FOR SERVICE STATION.
1961
LETHBRIDGE RECREATION AND PARKS COMMISSION RECOMMENDS WEST END OF HENDERSON LAKE TO BE DEVELOPED INTO NINE HOLE GOLF COURSE.
1964
ELEVEN SOUTH COMMUNITIES ADDED TO AGT''S DIRECT DISTANCE DIALING SERVICE.
1965
NEW WELCOME TO LETHBRIDGE BILLBOARD SET UP ON HIGHWAY #3 BY HIGH LEVEL BRIDGE.
1965
NEW PSYCHIATRIC WING TO BE ADDED TO LETHBRIDGE MUNICIPAL HOSPITAL
1966
MRS. KATE ANDREWS FIRST WOMAN TO BE MADE HONOURARY LIFE MEMBER OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
1967
CENTENNIAL TRAIN TO PASS THROUGH CITY ON MAR.19 TH
1969
NEW DEVELOPMENTS INCLUDING DEPARTMENT STORES, RETAIL OUTLETS AND APARTMENT BUILDING BEING CONSIDERED FOR DOWNTOWN LETHBRIDGE.
1970
NEW HOME FOR LETHBRIDGE NATIVE FRIENDSHIP CENTER ON FIRST AVE AND FIFTH ST.
1972
CAPITAL GAINS TAX ADDED TO CANADA INCOME TAX ACT.
January 21
1793
PETER FIDLER NOTED THAT THE INDIANS SEEMED HAPPY WHEN THE "WIND CHANGES TO THE WESTWARD" GOOD REASON. . .THERE'S A CHINOOK COMING. FIDLER ALSO PREDICTED THE GREAT AGRICULTURAL LAND IN LETHBRIDGE.
1910
OPENING OF NEW GRIFFITH THEATRE.
1920
LETHBRIDGE NORTHERN IRRIGATION TO COST NEARLY $5,000,000 AND TAKE THREE YEARS TO BUILD.
1940
ALD. J.G. HUTCHINGS, CHAIRMAN OF THE YMCA BOARD AND AN OLDTIMER DIED SUDDENLY.
1941
GAS RATIONING - A SEVERE BLOW TO TRUCKING LINES.
1950
OVER $20,000 DAMAGE CAUSED BY FIRE IN BURNS BLOCK.
1950
CITY MERCHANTS LOSING BUSINESS OF RURAL FOLK DUE TO EXTREMELY HARD WINTER.
1955
RADIO STATION CJOC AND LETHBRIDGE. HERALD WILL FORM COMPANY WHICH WILL APPLY FOR TV. LICENCE.
CITY COULD HAVE TV. BY SEPT. 1955.
1956
NEW ELEMENTARY / JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL IN SOUTH LETHBRIDGE NAMED FOR GILBERT PATERSON QC. MR. PATERSON AND FAMILY ON HAND FOR OPENING.
1960
OLDMAN RIVER DISTRICT PLANNING COMMISSION TURNS DOWN APPLICATION FOR SUBDIVISION IN SOUTHWEST CORNER OF INTERSECTION OF HIGHWAYS 4 &5.
1960
CITY PURCHASES LAND AT NORTHWEST CORNER OF HIGHWAYS 4 &5 JUNCTION FOR PROPOSED CLOVERLEAF.
1961
LETHBRIDGE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA TO PRESENT ITS FIRST PUBLIC CONCERT.
1961
BAY SERVICE STATION AT FIRST AVE. AND FIFTH ST.S. REOPENS AFTER MAJOR REPAIRS.
1964
CABLE TELEVISION (FOUR MORE STATIONS), TO BE AVAILABLE IN LETHBRIDGE BY MAR.31,1964.
1967
NATIONAL CHINCHILLA BREEDERS OF CANADA HOLD FIELD DAY IN CITY.
1970
HIGHER CRIME RATE IN CITY DURING '60S.
1970
ANTIQUE SHOP OPENS AT 403 2ND AVE.
1970
BEER PRICES GOES UP FROM FIFTEEN TO TWENTY CENTS A GLASS.
1971
LETHBRIDGE CHAMBER OFFICIALLY ENDORSES BILINGUALISM.
1972
A BOOK ON SOUTHERN ALBERTA BY DR.FRANK JANKUNIS IS LAUNCHED
1972
HOG PLANT TO BE BUILT IN SPRING IN SOUTHERN ALBERTA.
January 22
1910
THE GRIFFITH THEATRE OPENED. BUILT BY SAM GRIFFITH PURCHASE BY W. B. SHERMAN AND RENAMED THE MAJESTIC. STARLAND THEATRE RENAMED THE PHOENY (1919) AND THE KING'S IN 1921.
1923
PLAYGOERS CLUB ORGANIZED WITH H.W.CHURCH AS PRESIDENT.
1929
LETHBRIDGE WILL HAVE ALL- WEATHER ROAD THROUGH TO CROWS NEST PASS THIS SPRING.
WEATHER PERMITTING, THE GRAVELLING SHOULD BE COMPLETED BY THE MIDDLE OF MARCH.
1934
LOCAL WOMAN IS KILLED
MRS.FRED SICK SUFFERED A BROKEN NECK AFTER BEING INVOLVED IN A CAR CRASH. FRED SICK HER HUSBAND RECEIVED NUMEROUS BRUISES. THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON THE TACOMA-SEATTLE HIGHWAY.
1938
CHINESE GOVERNMENT ENVOY VISITED THE CITY.
1940
RCAF HAULED DOUGLAS DIGBY BOMBERS ACROSS BORDER AT COUTTS
1941
MAYOR SAYS FATHERS OF CONFEDERATION INTENDED STRONG CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
1952
MAYOR GETS PAY RAISE FROM $125 A MONTH TO $150 A MONTH.
ALDERMAN GET PAY RAISE FROM $5 A MEETING TO $8 A MEETING.
1952
MONEY AUTHORIZED FOR FLOURIDATION EQUIPMENT IN CITY WATER WORKS PLANT.
1952
COUNCIL ABANDONS PROPOSED GALT HOSPITAL LOCATION.
1952
COALDALE STATUS OFFICIALLY CHANGED FROM VILLAGE TO TOWN.
1953
BAPTIST'S PLAN NEW CHURCH AT 5TH AVE AND 17TH ST.
1960
JUVENILE AND FAMILY COURTS OPENED EARLY IN 1960 HANDLE ALL DOMESTIC PROBLEMS.
1963
RONALD FREDERICK HUDSON OF THE CITY WAS CHARGED WITH MURDER OF HIS WIFE.
1969
FOWLER AIRCRAFT LTD. TO BEGIN OPERATING FLIGHTS BETWEEN LETHBRIDGE AND GREAT FALLS SOON.
1969
A.E. CROSS PHOTOGRAPHY LTD. CELEBRATES 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN LETHBRIDGE.
1969
GRADE FIVE STUDENTS AT LAKEVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RECEIVE LETTER FROM U.S. PRESIDENT NIXON IN REPLY TO THEIR MOCK ELECTION RESULTS.
1970
"SEVEN-DAY WORK WEEK" URGED FOR HOSPITALS.
1970
LCC PURCHASES NEW CONSOLE FOR RADIO-ARTS PROGRAMME.
1971
STUDENTS AT U. OF L. PROTEST OVER CROWDED CLASSROOMS.
1972
U OF L BIOLOGY DEPARTMENT MOVES FROM LCC CAMPUS TO NEW FACILITIES ON THE WEST SIDE.
1974
LETHBRIDGE TRANSIT SYSTEM GETS THREE NEW BUSSES BRINGING TOTAL UP TO 19.
January 23
1922
MERCURY DROPS TO LOWEST POINT OF WINTER. TWENTY-SEVEN DEGREES BELOW ZERO.
1924
PRESIDENT S. J. SHEPHERD OF BOARD OF TRADE IN HIS ANNUAL REPORT STRESSES THE NEED FOR COLONIZATION OF LETHBRIDGE NORTHERN DISTRICT.
1925
DOMINION BLOCK RAVAGED BY FIRE WHICH RAGED FOR FIVE HOURS.
LOSSES ESTIMATED AT CLOSE TO A QUARTER OF A MILLION DOLLARS. SIX FIREMEN WERE TAKEN TO HOSPITAL WITH VARIOUS INJURIES.
1929
DOMINION LAUNDRY DESTROYED BY FIRE.
FIREMEN FOUGHT BLAZE IN - 30 TEMPERATURE. NO ONE WAS INJURED BUT THE BUILDING AT 1280-2ND AVE. WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED.
1930
PREMIER BROWNLEE TELLS BOARD OF TRADE HE HAS NEGOTIATED A RETURN OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO ALBERTA
1930
VANALTA TO DRILL TWELVE BORDER WELLS AT THE RED COULEE FIELD OF COUTTS
WITH INTENSIVE DRILLING IT BECAME ONE OF ALBERTA'S MAJOR OIL PROJECTS.
1931
TEACHERS SALARIES AT CARDSTON CUT
THERE WILL BE A REDUCTION OF TEN PER CENT IN THE WAGES OF TEACHERS IN THIS COMMUNITY. THIS WAS THE DECISION GIVEN AFTER A FOUR HOUR MEETING. IT IS NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE OVER- PAID.
1940
KENYON FIELD BEING SURVEYED FOR POSSIBLE USE IN EMPIRE AID TRAINING PLAN.
1952
CPR TO SPEND TWO MILLION ON LETHBRIDGE DIVISION FOR MAINTENANCE.
1952
NEW PA SYSTEM TO BE PUT INTO HAMILTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL.
1952
SUSIE BAWDEN SCHOOL TO BE OFFICIALLY OPENED FEB.1.
1953
STORY OF EARLY CONSTRUCTION TOLD IN NEW BOOK PUBLISHED IN VANCOUVER.
SMITH BROS AND WILSON PIONEERS IN WESTERN CONSTRUCTION.
1954
LETHBRIDGE SHIVERS THROUGH 11TH DAY OF FRIGID SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES.
1960
LETHBRIDGE TELEVISION STATION CJLH-TV WINS NATIONAL AWARD FOR SHOWMANSHIP FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE YEAR.
1962
COUNCIL APPROVES CONSTRUCTION OF SWIMMING POOL AT HENDERSON PARK.
1967
PETER LOUGHEED, LEADER OF ALBERTA PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE PARTY VISITS CITY.
1971
PREMIER HARRY STROM VISITS TABER.
1976
U. OF L. TUITION INCREASES BY ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS.
1976
ITALIAN CANADIAN CLUB WILL BUILD COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 1511 - ST. EDWARD BLVD.
1977
SUNNY SOUTH LODGE OPENED
January 24
1901
LETHBRIDGE RESPONDS TO NEWS OF DEATH OF QUEEN VICTORIA.
1920
MAYOR HARDIE SUGGESTS ELECTIVE BOARD, WITH MAYOR TO GET $8000 PER ANNUM AS MANAGER.
1922
PUBLIC LIBRARY OPENED IN GALT GARDENS
1922
LETHBRIDGE FIRE LOSS LAST YEAR WAS $70,336 WHILE RISK WAS NEARLY A MILLION DOLLARS
1924
SITE AND DESIGN FOR WAR MEMORIAL DECIDED. A BRONZE STATUE REPRESENTING A CANADIAN INFANTRY MAN WILL BE ERECTED IN GALT GARDENS AT A COST OF $8,000.
1930
FOREMOST SCHOOL NOW OUT OF DEBT FOR THE FIRST TIME.
1933
EARLY NOMINATION OF LIBERAL CANDIDATE IN FEDERAL RIDING URGED
R.V.GIBBONS WAS CHOSEN NEW PRESIDENT OF LETHBRIDGE FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY.
1940
DEATH OF EUGENE COSTE DISCOVERER OF BOW ISLAND GAS FIELD. HE ALSO BROUGHT FIRST GAS TO LETHBRIDGE AND CALGARY.
1940
LARGE RED CROSS MEETING AS THEY GEAR UP FOR WAR.
1941
COMMUNITY CHEST TO BE FORMED.
1953
SIX MILLION CONSTRUCTION PROGRAMME PLANNED FOR CITY.
1962
COPIES OF CANADIAN BILL OF RIGHTS GIVEN TO LETHBRIDGE SCHOOLS BY ROTARY CLUB.
1963
INTERIM DEVELOPMENT BOARD APPROVES APPLICATION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF APARTMENT BUILDING AT 24TH ST AND 10TH AVE.
1964
COUNTY OFFICES TO BE TEMPORARILY LOCATED AT 214-13TH ST.
1964
NEW ALBERTA BROOM FACTORY ESTABLISHED AT 245 -12TH ST.A.
1966
CLOSEST BUDGET EVER FOR CITY SPENDING IN 1965. $28.32.
1967
ARTHUR ERICKSEN, INTERNATIONAL ARCHITECT SAYS COULEES ARE BEST SITE FOR THE UNIVERSTIY.
1967
EIGHT - STORY APARTMENT BUILDING TO BE CONSTRUCTED AT 17TH ST AND SCENIC DRIVE.
1968
FIRST SUITES OF HENRY HOMES PROJECT ON 2ND AVE AND NORTH MAYOR MAGRATH DRIVE TO BE READY IN MARCH 1968.
1968
EL RANCHO ROOMS READY AFTER BEING REBUILT BECAUSE OF FIRE.
1969
SUPERIOR 77 LTD. PROPANE TRUCK TERMINAL AND SEVEN TRUCKS DESTROYED IN FIRE AT 3307 5TH AVE.
1976
POLICE TO TREAT FEMALE OFFENDERS OVER FIFTEEN THE SAME AS ADULTS.