1

The Beginning of the End for Little Chicago
When oil was discovered near Edmonton and Leduc Number 1 was drilled, the oil workers began to leave Little Chicago and head north. The population slowly began to decline, and the post office was closed in 1969. Houses, shacks and buildings were moved away from the townsite to other locations around the foothills area. Nothing remains of the once-bustiling town.

2

Bottles found during a top soil clean-up at the site of Little Chicago/Royalties in 2008
2008
Little Chicago / Royalties, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood

3

Why did the Little Chicago Remembered Committee build the Little Chicago Monument?
Filmed in 2008
Little Chicago / Royalties, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood

4

For many years former Little Chicago residents gathered together for annual or bi-annual reunions. Many remained close friends and enjoyed making trips to where the town once stood. Because nothing was left of the town, concerns were raised over the possibility of losing the memory of Little Chicago forever. A group of past residents banded together and decided to work towards erecting a monument at the site. In 2004 their dream was realized when the monument was completed and dedicated in a ceremony. Little Chicago is now being remembered as an important part of Alberta's oil and gas history.

The Little Chicago Revisited Committee raised more than $30,000 to build the monument that was unveiled on July 24, 2004.

The committee members were: Joan Deets, Helen Goldenberg, Gerry Horne, Archie Boyd, Dorothy Jenkins, Judy Parker, Audrey Rice and Dale Tufts.

The site of the monument was of special significance to Archie Boyd - it is located approximately where his outhouse once stood!

5

Advertising an open house to discuss the monument
24 September 2003
Longview, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood

6

The mockup of the monument
Circa 2000s
Little Chicago / Royalties, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood

7

The raw materials of the monument
2004
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood

8

Putting together the monument top
2004
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood

9

Site prep for the monument
2004
Little Chicago / Royalties, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood

10

Measuring and preparing the site for the cement base of the monument
2004
Little Chicago / Royalties, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood

11

Preparing the site for the monument
2004
Little Chicago / Royalties, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood

12

Pouring cement for the monument base
2004
Little Chicago / Royalties, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood

13

Fitting the stones to the monument base
2004
Little Chicago / Royalties, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood

14

Unloading the base of the monument
2004
Little Chicago / Royalties, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood