Site Map & Credits

"My Okotoks" was a project created in a Dreamweaver class I took in the winter of 2008. Tweaked in 2009, it is now in it's final state and ready to add to the "My Canada" series.

Okotoks is not just another Town.  It holds a special place in my heart.  I lived in Okotoks for 14 years from 1975 to 1989 and watched many changes happen during that time. When I first moved to Okotoks, there were less than 1,500 people. Everyone knew everyone - and I loved it. 

On Sunday afternoons I rode my horse bareback down main street with my young son in front of me.  I would stop at Ursula's Coffee Shop on main street to enjoy a coffee.  My horse was boarded at the arena then managed by Gid Garstead of national rodeo fame. I skated and curled in the old arena along the river.

On weekends, I hung with the cowboys and farmers in the Willingdon Hotel, worked as a volunteer with the Okotoks Royal Purple, and happily joined in whatever social activities were the flavour of the week. Little did I realize at that time I was actually part of history in the making. Those days are times past - my Okotoks fondly remembered.  

Doreen Thomson (Malin)  

Photo Credits

Around Okotoks - OkotoksMillers - Flickr
Big Rock - Alberta Culture and Community Spirit
Dennis Halstead - Don Healy, Leader-Post
Grande Central Hotel - Archives Alberta
Ian Tyson - Navajo Mug
Robin Burwash - Biography
Welch House - Archives Society of Alberta


Reference Credits

Big Rock - Alberta Culture and Community Spirit
Dennis Halstead - Leader-Post
Grande Central Hotel - Archives Alberta
Ian Tyson - Navajo Mug
Robin Burwash - Biography
Town of Okotoks - Town of Okotoks
Welch House - Archives Society of Alberta


1874 Early Settlers Native Influence
1925-1950 Eden Valley Navajo Mug
1970's Garstead, Gid Pioneer Spirit
Big Rock Glacial Erratic Population Cap
Big Rock - Blackfoot Theory Glass Family Real Cowboys & Cappuccino
Big Rock - Scientific Theory Grand Central Hotel Rodeo Clowns
Boom Days Half Mile of Hell Stagecoach
Burwash, Robin Halstead, Dennis Stoney Indians
Cameron, Kenneth Hitching Posts Stopping Houses
Chucks & Bucks Legend of Napi Thompson, David
Clowns Lineham, John Tyson, Ian
Cowboy Influence Macleod Trail Vold, Wayne

Cowboys

MacMillan, John Wooden Sidewalks
 
 
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