P.A. Historical Society summer camp exploring forgotten history of Central Ave

“So that was in the 1970s, and it went across from the Orpheum Plaza to the building that is now First Nations University. It was the Eaton’s building at the time, and people either loved it or hated it. It was there for about 10 years, and then it was torn down.”

Campers are also learning how some of Prince Albert’s most recognizable buildings came to be, including the former city hall, now the Margo Fournier Arts Centre.

“Central Avenue wasn’t a through street at one point. It was called Church Street, and right in the centre of Central there was a church built. In order to build the old city hall, which is now Margo Fournier Arts Centre, the city bought that church, tore it down, and then built the city hall.”

The program has also taken children into businesses along Central Avenue to discuss the history of the buildings they occupy. Other lessons focus on the city’s “disappearing streets,” including Avenue A, Avenue B, 8th Street East and 14th Street West, which no longer exist after being redeveloped for commercial use.

McKelvie said one of the most fascinating stories being shared with campers is one she only recently learned herself.

The building on the south side of Ted Matheson Men’s Wear once housed Prince Albert’s telegraph office, which became the centre of a dispute between the neighbouring communities of Prince Albert and Goshen.

“It was a bit of a battle between the village of Prince Albert and the village of Goshen. Each village wanted to have their own telegraph office, and it heated up until it became kind of an armed protest, until the government interceded and said, fine, Goshen can have their own telegraph office, and Prince Albert can have their own telegraph office. So that’s how we got our telegraph office on Central.”

The society’s next youth program, Can You Hear Me Now?, will run Aug. 10-14. Participants will learn about the evolution of communication in the Prince Albert area, from rock writing and semaphore flags to telegrams and amateur radio. Only four spaces remain in the camp.

The society is also offering two Mini-Explorers events for parents and children on July 17 and Aug. 21 at the museum.

For adults and families interested in local history, PAHS has scheduled four guided van tours. Destinations include Wanuskewin on July 15, the museums in Melfort and Tisdale on July 29, and the Doukhobor Dugout House near Blaine Lake on Aug. 8. A fourth destination for the Aug. 19 tour has yet to be announced.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

by Nick Nielsen

P.A. Historical Society summer camp exploring forgotten history of Central Ave

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