Trolley Day in Moose Jaw......Taking in a local tourist attraction!

THE TROLLEY 

Last Friday was a gorgeous August day in Moose Jaw. I learned it was the last day for the Trolley to run through the town showing some of the sites.  My family is not happy when I try and get them to go on these little excursions with me (we have underground tunnels too!) I not longer make it a bone of contention but lord knows I did for a few decades!  (Sorry Family).   I called a good friend and she joined me on this ride through Moose Jaw .  I was using this as a great opportunity to be outside in the open Trolley in the great weather (before our winter hits us) more than thinking I was going to see things I have not seen in the 14 years I have lived here. However, I was pleasantly surprised by some of the tidbits the tour guide shared with us as she would point out various buildings and murals around the town. and I'm strange...but I just LOVE being driven around an told about the history of places (I have no one in my family liking this style of touring...they all want to search and learn what they learn on their own....I think like a treasure hunt????)

 

 

 

Should have had the Trolley driver IN the photo but no one else was around and so HE took the photo of my friend Leanne and myself. 



Inside the small Tourist Office were various displays. Not being a smoker I was still thrilled to learn there was something with MY name on it! My given name!  I'm certain it was the best tobacco to be had in the day!  but not sure why "OLD" has to be involved here! 

IT took me YEARS to convert "hoodie' to Bunny Hug. NOt sure why Bunny Hug is way cuter I think.  Emily is still trying to convert her Okie/Texas buddies and it shouldn't be difficult with ALL the Bunny Hugs she has hanging on I think 3 coat racks in her house!  One shouldn't be surprised by the numbers...bunnies DO multiply rapidly right? Lots of time to think these unique names up in these LONG winters!

WE have a Military Base here where training is done and our famous Snowbirds train and fly formations at fairs and exebitions in the US and Canada.  The base is just 5 minute out of town  This base is home to NATO Flying Training of Canada with a 431 Air Demonstration Squadron.  The Snowbirds started during the Second World War and were contracted to train pilots for wartime service.  Then it was replaced by the British Commonwealth Air Training program creating the 15 Wing Air Base today.  Moose Jaw is very proud of their Snowbirds.....NOT to be confused with the "snowbirds" who are retired and leave for the U.S usually after Christmas for up to 180 days to Arizona to see the same people they see up here most often....or Palm Springs....WARMER spots lets say!  The Government makes them return for a few days after 180 days and then they head back down again sometimes till all the snow is gone!

Our Trusty Trolley Driver and his Assistant Tour Guide did a great job keeping us entertained and informed.  Did you know Saskatchewan has more golf courses per capita than any other Province.. and the first while child was born in Moose Jaw in 1943. 
Moose Jaw gets it name they say from white men repairing the wooden wheel on their wagon with the jaw of a moose that was found laying along the river flowing through Moose Jaw, aptly named The Moose Jaw River! Moose Jaw is a Cree Word. Another legend says it got its name from the river that is shaped like a moose's Jaw.  I'm sure I could submit any other ideas you might have and they would add them to this list! 

The Canadian Pacific Railroad runs through the city still today.  With last year's record crops the farmers were in a tizzy because they couldn't get the railcars to transport their grain because the potash was making MORE money and so of course the Railway would go with where they could make the most money. 

 

As I looked over this poster in the Tourist Office I realized I can spot all these crops in the fields now shortly after they begin to grow.  Scary I know and nothing I can put on a resume to get me a job, but I still get a thrill seeing the farming community do their thing from spring to fall harvest!  If Joe is phoning anyone with cattle he hears from the wife, "Joe, he's ON THE LAND. I will get him to call you later." AND the wives STILL make the meals and take them to the husbands on their fancy enclosed air conditioned cabs of their combines and seeders!  They have GPS to drive them around the field and plenty of room for coolers (I still call them ice chests) but if the wife shows up the famer HAS to stop and take a break! 

The building behind the cool dudes on the motorcycles is the Armory Building.  Home to the Saskatchewan Dragoons, a unit of the Canadian Forces Primary Reserve.  All I hear is there were LOTS of dances here and Moose Jaw has many large buildings that were used by Military groups during the wars...and returned to their original purpose when the war ended. 

HUGE home that was built by a local Moose Jaw man in the 30's for his soon to be bride. She broke the engagement and he never sold the house nor did he live in it .  This has been

Central Collegiate High School (Moose Jaw has 5 High Schools ---too many in my opinion) Back in the day they had university courses as well to the tune of $63.00 tuition for the YEAR! 

St Andrew's United Church and home of the Moose Jaw Multicultural Center where new immigrants come to learn English and seek resources. There is a daycare for the Immigrant families housed in the church office area as well.  First woman minister ordained in the United Church of Canada served here from 1935-1938.   WOW!

Womens  Baseball team in the late 30's and 40's! 

This is the business of Fifth Avenue Jewlery that is now in the US and Australia as well as Canada.  Family owned/created business and this house was purchased by one of the sons (now deceased) who saw this house as a young boy on his paper route and said "one day I will own this house" and he did....he is the one who started the jewelry business.  They sell the product through home parties.  The summer sees the yard filled with glorious flowers and the winter sees it decorated top to bottom  with Christmas decorations and figurines.  A family that gives back to the community of Moose Jaw in many big ways.

WE have underground tunnels that were created to hide the Chinese families that worked on the railway.  They lived underground and worked in Moose Jaw in food industry, cloths cleaners and the railway.  Supposedly Al Capone came up to Moose Jaw often and ran booze in and out through the tunnels during prohibition! 
 This street was called River Street and it was the happening place in the early years....7 bars and a hotel!  There were still 4 bars on this street when we moved here in 2000! 

Winston Churchill Statute at another highschool. The claim to fame is it is the OLDEST statue in the world of Winston Churchill!  The statue was erected in 1943 as this high school focuses on Industrial Arts studies. 

\This was the Original Movie Theatre in downtown Moose Jaw.  It  Was completely renovated in 2001 which  created a gorgeous place for small concerts, plays and high school musical productions.  When we moved here in 2000 it was a scary run down movie theatre.  The renos took in the Army Navy Store on one side an the A and B Store on the other creating the now lovely Mae Wilson Cultural Centre  Most of the 1910 architecture is still visible after the renos.  There isn't a bad seat in the house as they say!  In its day it was the happening spot in Saskatchewan and largest theatre in Saskatchewan in the 20's and 30's.

Last but not Least........one of our two Tim Horton's Coffee locations! NOW owned by Burger King in the US. but with a Post Office Box in Canada.  Guess we will see how this merger goes. 

and as they say "THAT'S ALL FOLKS"!

Nothing fancy but it is home for us until it is not!