Forth Junction Project

". . . paved paradise and put up a parking lot" - Joni Mitchell. CPR station park 1930. Thirty years after this photo, the park was demolished to make way for a parking lot. Red Deer Archives N452

Ross Street in Red Deer in early 1891 when the "station" was a box car, The townsite began in November 1890 with the arrival of the Calgary & Edmonton Railway. The first actual station was built by the end of June 1891 just to the right of center of the head of the street. Similar stations were built the same year in Innisfail, Lacombe, Olds and other new communities along the line. The new brick replacement station was built in 1910 in the center. The Forth Junction Heritage Society is transferring the stored C&ER museum collection to the Innisfail Historical Village where it will be on display, mostly in the preserved Bowden station, until the society has its own facility.

James Ross was the head of the Calgary & Edmonton Railway Company when it formed in 1890. Ross Street in Red Deer was named after him. Although he never lived in Red Deer, he visited the community in the early 1890s and for the last time in 1909. He passed away in 1913, the year that Red Deer became a city. The Forth Junction Heritage Society is currently moving the stored C&ER museum collection to the Innisfail Historical Village where it will be on display until the society has its own facility.

Seeking donations for artifact storage, artifact repairs and detailed planning as the first stage of establishing a regional family-friendly, multi-use heritage rail park at Innisfail Alberta. Go to www.ForthJunction.ca home page with link to this Giving Tuesday offer today only.

Feature article in this week's Innisfail Province about our proposed regional heritage rail park in the northeast part of town. No direct link to the specific article but can be read in the e-edition on the website https://www.mountainviewtoday.ca/innisfail-province-e-editi