14

Alberta Hotel
Circa 1907
High River, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood Archives, 978-056-017

15

Astoria Hotel
Circa 1905
High River, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood, 978-056-012

16

The Oxford Hotel
Circa 1907
High River, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood, 978-056-013

17

Theatres
Moving pictures and "high-class refined" vaudeville shows appeared at The Theatre in 1906. It was also the location of many social evenings and dances:

The Theatre
"The popularity of the dances at The Theatre on Thursday evening last was demonstrated when previous attendance records were put in the shade. The reason for the large crowd was the return of the popular George Orchestra who have been performing at Banff during the summer. Dancing commenced about nine o'clock and continued until the early morning hours when the tired but happy throng dispersed."
High River Times, September 14, 1914

Electric Theatre.
The Electric Theatre was built on Fourth Avenue around 1910. Music for the silent films was provided by pianist Len Davis, sometimes accompanied by a violinist and other musicians. Later Mrs. Gladys Thorne became the Electric Theatre's pianist. It was reported that at times she would become so engrossed in the film being shown that she would forget the task at hand, and would have to be reminded with a gentle tap on the shoulder by the manager.

Highwood Theatre (later the Wales Theatre)
The Highwood Theatre in High River was built in 1927 and showed silent films accompanied by musicians for two years before talking pictures arrived. After that the theatre continued to show family-oriented films for many years under the watchful eye of projectionist Len Cook. In 1933, the Wales Theatre was renamed in honour of Edward, the Prince of Wales who made several visit to the Highwood area - including the Wales theatre. The Wales shows films to Highwood residents today.

18

Program for dance recital by the pupils of H.L. Spankie
15 June 1928
High River, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood Archives 002-038-001

19

Inside of the program for a dance recital by the pupils of H.L. Spankie
15 June 1928
High River, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood Archives 002-038-001

20

Wales Theatre
Circa 1970s
High River, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood Archives

21

Playbill for Wales Theatre - Len Cook, projectionist
Circa 1935
High River, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood Archives 987-029-002

22

Theatre in the Highwood
Several small towns in the Highwood area had their own multi-purpose theatres that were used for gatherings, dances, concerts and films. In the oil town of Little Chicago / Royalties the Mountview theatre would hold a film or dance one weekend night, and all the chairs would be moved to the Roxy Theatre in Longview for an event the next night. Dances held in these theatres featured local entertainment as well as entertainment imported from Calgary - including Len Davis, Sonny Fry, Lou Darby, Ma Trainor and Hal Anderson.

23

Roxy theatre in Longview, Alberta
Circa 1939
Highwood Area, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood Archives.

24

Mountview theatre in Little Chicago / Royalties
Circa 1935
Highwood Area, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood Archives

25

The Memorial Centre

In the early 1940s the No. 5 Elementary Flying Training School was located just North East of High River. The school acquired a recreation hall in 1942 but just two years later No. 5 closed down.

This closure was fine timing for High River, planning to build a new Community Centre. The recreation hall was purchased and moved into town. The hall was used as a base, with additions built around it. In December 1948 it was ready just in time for the annual High School Banquet. It is rumoured that two men contributed to the dinner by "borrowing" a stove and sink from what had once been the Officer's Mess at the EFTS.

The first New Years Dance in the centre drew 850 people at $2.50 a couple. Since then the centre has seen many large gatherings. It has held meetings, car shows, Frontier Nights, symphonies, talent nights, ballets, theatre, Town and Country Fairs, art exhibits, plays, fashion shows, auction sales, dances, weddings, funerals and parties. One evening, seven separate events took place in the busy facility!

The Memorial Centre has undergone many renovations and expansions, but it continues to be a thriving cultural center used by people from all over the Highwood area.

26

Recreation Hall, EFTS Flight Training Centre
Circa 1942
Highwood Area, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood Archives 003-006-002

27

Memorial Centre
1948-present
High River, Alberta, Canada

Credits:
Museum of the Highwood, 001-004-432