Edmonton may only just have hit the 100-year mark when it comes to qualifying as a city, but since the first explorers arrived at this crossing over the North Saskatchewan River in 1757, the area has undergone dramatic changes. And Fort Edmonton Park is the place to become fully immersed in all the historic drama. It is one of the world's largest “living history” museums, spread over 65 hectares south of the city. Its mission – to recreate the day-to-day reality across four of the city's epochs, using reconstructed houses and buildings, populated by the colourful characters of those bygone times.
Edmonton itself started out as a fur trading post back in the 18th century, when animal furs were a booming business across North America. Eventually, a fort was set up – Fort Edmonton – and it's that early pioneer experience that you'll get a chance to try first-hand at “The Fort”. You'll also get to see how the people of the First Nations lived in the Cree Camp. Inside the Fort is the impressive residence of the Hudson Bay company manager – John Rowland – and the cramped quarters of the men who helped haul furs across the continent.
In “1885 Street”, you'll meet the people who came to Edmonton to settle, including pioneers in their covered wagons, homesteaders who farmed the area's fertile soil and the world-famous “Mounties”, or North-West Mounted Police, who brought law and order to the frontier. “1905 Street” covers the boom years of the early 20th century, with its tent-city, while “1920 Street” has a reconstruction of Blatchford Field Air Hangar, the first “Air Harbour” in Canada.
A unique feature of Fort Edmonton Park is a reconstructed section of the Edmonton Yukon & Pacific Railway, which is used for travel across the Park, pulled by a glorious steam engine. You can also ride in a horse-drawn carriage, a street car or the rickety automobiles of the 1920s. Put it all together and Fort Edmonton Park really is a joyous travel through the ages of Edmonton.
