from "Discover Sylvan Lake 2003"
Many of the historical benchmarks of Sylvan Lake have been torn down.
However, thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers who wish to keep this history alive, markers have been placed strategically throughout town to mark historic buildings.
The Sylvan Lake and District Archives Society purchased the markers which have been installed by employees of the Town of Sylvan Lake.
The first marker is located on the walking trail south of Railside Bowl. This marker is a picture of the station house which once stood there.
In 1911, the Canadian Northern Western Railway, later CNR, chose Sylvan Lake for one of its future stations. When built, the station was situated across from 46th Street, the present site of the Railside Plaza.
For many years the trains stopping here for passengers also brought freight and the mail. Farmers shipped grain and livestock and vacationers arrived with their trunks.
The next marker signifying the place where the elevators once stood is located on the walking trail across from Sylvan Lake Sausage and Meats.
The marker is inscribed with this message: When the CPR and CNR railways were constructed through Sylvan Lake in 1911 and 1912, a grain elevator was built beside each track. One was built by the Alberta Pacific and the other by the Alberta Wheat Pool.
As the roads and vehicles improved, wagon boxes on wheels and sleighs were replaced by trucks. Annexes were added for more storage but, by the 1960s large terminals were being built to replace the elevators. This elevator was the last to go. It was torn down in May, 1998.
On the northeast corner of 50th Street and 50th Avenue a marker has been erected on the CIBC picturing the first Bank of Commerce which once stood in that same location.
Across the street on 50th Street and 50th A Avenue a picture of Keenan's Opera House was placed on Long's Food Town. However, the grocery store has closed and the building is not presently in use. The Archives Society hopes to reinstall the historical picture once the building is occupied.
Further north on main street on the side of Cobb's AG Foods building is a picture of the Cobb Block, designed by Mr. H. Cobb. This is not a picture of the original Cobb's store, as it was demolished by fire.
Proceeding north on main street to the corner of Lakeshore Drive the Archives Society has erected a picture of the original Sylvan Lake Hotel which was moved into town in 1928. This picture had to be removed when the hotel was demolished. The society hopes to put it back up once the new convention centre is completed.
Proceeding east, on the sidewalk beside Pete's on the Beach is a picture of the boat house which stood directly across Lakeshore Drive.
Going west down Lakeshore to the Sylvan Lake Golf and Country Club is a marker located along the sidewalk beside the club's parking lot. This marker shows a photo of the Alexander Hotel which opened in 1911.
This photo of the new Alexander Hotel in Sylvan Lake was taken on July 1, 1911. It sat on the site now occupied by the Sylvan Lake Golf and Country Club parking lot.
The Alexander Hotel was noted for its excellent meals and a beautiful stand-up bar. It operated as a hotel for 11 years before it was converted to apartments and, later, was destroyed by fire.
The staff standing by the hotel include the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Loiselle and other family members.