The storied history of the iconic building known simply as the “Arena” came to a sudden and dramatic end on March 18th,1969 when the revered facility, which had hosted many a hockey game and community event, was completely destroyed by fire. For many, it signaled the end of an era.
The history of Medicine Hat is full of interesting characters and events but no one individual has received more “publicity” and has been the subject of more newspaper accounts than Charles Mallory Hatfield. His brief but historic visit to Medicine Hat in the 1920’s has resulted in numerous stories or accounts of his efforts to bring rain to the “parched” land of Southern Alberta following several years of drought conditions in the area.
The history of Medicine Hat is replete with many interesting characters and events and although the City is well known in the present, few are aware that it was a town that once nearly lost its name.
This is that story.
There is probably no singular circumstance or event which has attracted more world wide attention or brought Medicine Hat more notoriety than the discovery of natural gas beneath its surface. This resulted in the declaration made at the turn of the century, by a world renowned author and poet of the time, that Medicine Hat was “the town that was born lucky” and that it had “all hell for a basement”.
This is that story!
A 100th anniversary is a significant milestone and an admirable accomplishment under any circumstances and it is most worthy of great celebration.
In 1922, the Connaught Golf Club at Medicine Hat, Alberta was founded and it will celebrate it’s one hundredth anniversary this year. As a tribute to its storied past, it is important to recount and document its history in some meaningful and appropriate way. Here is a look back at the history of one of Medicine Hat’s Premiere golf courses.
As is the case with many of my research projects, an old photograph will often catch my attention which will launch me into researching and writing another article. Here is another interesting piece which you might find interesting. READ ON
An interesting and important chapter in the history of Medicine Hat involves a ship of the Royal Canadian Navy during the Second World War-The HMCS Medicine Hat.
This is that story!
I have always enjoyed reading about history and more recently, I became fascinated with the history of WWI. This was prompted by the discovery of pictures of my wife’s grandfather and great uncle, Thomas and Edward Medlicott, who were members of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) and who served gallantly overseas in the Great War. Another young man from Medicine Hat who joined the CEF and fought gallantly overseas became one of Medicine Hat’s most celebrated sons. His name is -Pvt. James Peter Robertson.
This is his story embedded in the greater context of the First World War for which many are unaware. READ ON
More than 2,800 nurses served in the Canadian Army Medical Corps, as fully-enlisted officers in the specially-created all female rank of “Nursing Sister”, during World War I. Nicknamed “bluebirds” because of their blue uniforms and white veils, Canada’s nursing sisters saved many lives by caring for wounded and sick soldiers during this horrific conflict in France and Belgium during the Great War (1914-1919). Their valour and dedication to the war effort, however, is often overlooked. One of these Nursing Sisters has a unique connection to Medicine Hat and her story is one that should be told as part of another interesting chapter in the history of Medicine Hat.
On June 16th, 1945 Major Mary Minor Mills, R.C.A.M.C was awarded the Royal Red Cross Medal by King George VI at a ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Major Mills has a unique and special connection to Medicine Hat and Southeastern Alberta and Southwestern Saskatchewan and her story is a story worth telling as it forms another interesting chapter in the history of Medicine Hat.
