Feature Article Database
Browsing articles by Michael Dawe
- RED DEER SELECTED FOR MILITIA TRAINING CAMP: 1940
On Aug. 7, 1940, the federal gov¬ernment announced the construction of a militia training centre in Red Deer as part of the efforts to mobilize for the war. For the 2,800 residents of the city, the scope of the facility was staggering. - BRITISH AVIATORS LEARN TO FLY AT PENHOLD BASE: 1941
When the Second World War broke out, there were intensive discussions as to how Canada could best support the war effort. One key decision was to have Canada take the lead role in training the Air Force. - JOFFRE OIL FIND SPURS ECONOMIC BOOM: 1953
On July 2, 1953, John Morton, of the Brookfield district near Joffre, signed a lease with Canadian Superior for a wild¬cat oil well northeast of Red Deer. - RED DEER HOME TO FIRST SENIOR CITIZENS' LODGE: 1956
Given the priority that is now often given to the provision of services and housing for seniors, it is hard to realize that it was only 50 years ago, here in Red Deer, that the first seniors lodge in Alberta and possibly in Canada, was built. - RAPID GROWTH PROMPTED NEED FOR WATER TOWER, 1958
One of Red Deer's most prominent landmarks, but one that is very rarely known by its official name, is the Horton Waterspheriod. - NEW CITY HALL BUILDING CONSTRUCTED DOWNTOWN: 1963
On March 25, 1963, as part of the elaborate celebrations of Red Deer's 50th anniversary of its incorporation as a city, the cornerstone was dedicated for a new City Hall. - RED DEER GETS ITS VERY OWN JUNIOR COLLEGE: 1964
On Friday, Nov. 27, 1964, an important milestone occurred in the history of education in Central Alberta. - RED DEER BECOMES ALBERTA'S FOURTH-LARGEST CITY: 1966
On Feb. 1, 1966, Red Deer was officially declared the fourth-largest city in Alberta. The 1966 civic census put Red Deer's population at 25,752, while Medicine Hat was officially recorded as having a population of 25,376. - SIGNS OF A COMING RECESSION WERE EVERYWHERE: 1970
The soaring 1960s had been a wonderful decade for Red Deer. The population of the city jumped from 18,000 to nearly 27,000. - YEAR OF GOLDEN PROMISES ARRIVES IN CENTRAL ALBERTA: 1974
One of the most dramatic years in Red Deer's history was 1974. After a long lull in the local economy, the boom suddenly came roaring back. The pace of growth and change became quite outstanding.