Cardston

Located 2 hours south of Calgary, Pincher Creek has a deep connection with the early settlement of The West. The North West Mounted Police established a post here in 1876. Staff could retire after just five years of service, after which several constables remained in the area to try their hand at ranching.

Finding good prairie grass and strong Chinook winds that kept the range open and free from snow, the area was regarded as good ranching country. By 1878, there were about 1,000 head of cattle in the Pincher Creek to the Fort Macleod area. The industry would continue to grow.

Be sure to check out the Kootenai Brown Pioneer Village. It’s home to a Visitor Centre, Country Store, 27 heritage cabins and two museum buildings filled with intriguing artifacts. Visit their website at kootenaibrown.ca.

The Heritage Acres Museum is 17 km north of Pincher Creek, at the east end of the Oldman River Reservoir. The museum hosts several events throughout the year. heritageacres.org Today Pincher Creek is a vibrant community of about 3,600 people, with modern shopping facilities, restaurants and hotels. Learn more about their services and recreational opportunities by visiting pinchercreek.ca

Located just 10 mins north of the Montana border, Cardston celebrates its horse-drawn transport of the past with the largest wagon and carriage collection in North America. Be sure to visit the Remington Carriage Museum.

One of Seabiscuit’s (a famous racehorse) jockeys started his career working in Cardston’s huge horse barns, that served the wagon trains used to supply Alberta from Montana in the late 1800s. The barns burned down, but a beautiful bronze statue of Seabiscuit and his local jockey stand outside the museum. The displays are fascinating, with everything from stagecoaches to the fancy carriages of New York high society.

Check out their website at RemingtonCarriageMuseum.ca for up-to-date information.

For more Information visit mywaterton.ca, pinchercreek.ca, and cardston.ca