I arrived in Canmore, July 1, 1940, moving here from Wetaskiwin. I was born in Lethbridge but my family (James and Annie Crowe) moved to Wetaskiwin when I was about four. I had one sister, Margaret. We came to Canmore in 1940 because my father was in the forces and he was a guard at Kananaskis for the prisoners of war. While visiting Canmore my father had learned of a possible job here at the camp. This camp later turned out to be a forestry experimental station and is now part of the University of Calgary. What is now known as the “Colonel’s Cabin” was moved to what is now known as Widowmaker on the Kananaskis River. Another cabin beside it is where my family and I lived.
Our first home in Canmore was on Main Street. We also lived about five years “up Kananaskis”. Then we returned to Canmore. I was married here and I went to B.C. for two years before returning to Canmore. My husband, Kenneth Clark, had a job back here. He worked at the mine for a couple of years but not liking mine work, got a job in Exshaw at Canada Cement. He worked there until medical reasons made it necessary for him to retire. After he passed away, I maintained myself working, eight years at the Legion, then at Banff Centre, until I retired in about 1991. I knit, crochet and do other crafts.
I have two girls: Laurie and Glenda. Laurie is now in Ferintosh, is married with two children, Craig and Christa Ferguson. Glenda lives in Calgary. She has two children, Stacey and Kevin Wicks.
Canmore had wooden sidewalks when we first came. This side of town did not have running water for a long time after Mineside. We always had electric power but did not have phones for a long time. The station had the first phone that I can remember. Of course the mine office had a phone too.
There was lots to do in early Canmore. The show hall is now at Heritage Park. My uncle owned the showhall. I acknowledged him each time I was there and it granted me free entrance. We did a lot of hiking, skating, but no skiing for me.
I remember a Chinese laundry on Main Street when I first came. Marra’s store was there as well but operated by the Chinese.
Florence and Ken Clark
Laurie and Glenda, children of Florence Clark
In Canmore Seniors at the Summit, ed. Canmore Seniors Association, 2000, p. 46-47.
