Landmark Building

BLAKEMAN'S STORE

75 kilometres south west of Calgary, Black Diamond
Built in 1911

Blakeman's Store, the oldest original building in Black Diamond, is still operated by the family that took it over in 1921. John Blakeman Sr. left England in 1911 and eventually settled in Black Diamond. His son, John Blakeman Jr., was encouraged by local residents to open a general store in the abandoned store and pool hall that Eric Buckler had built ten years before. A butcher by trade, John Jr. opened the Black Diamond Store as Blakeman's General Store. Without any particular knowledge of storekeeping, he operated by buying only what his customers requested. He carried groceries, housewares, building supplies and horse equipment. Still to this day a general store, now run by Bill Blakeman, it has served the people of Black Diamond for four generations.

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The Landmark Buildings and Places Database draws on the series of walking and/or driving tour booklets produced by Alberta Culture (now Alberta Culture and Community Spirit). The Heritage Community Foundation gratefully acknowledges the support of the Ministry through permission to reprint these materials online. Extracted from Turner Valley District Driving Tour. Alberta Community Development and the Turner Valley Historical Society, 1993, with permission from Alberta Culture and Community Spirit. Visit the Alberta Culture and Community Spirit for more information.