Wednesday, October 20, 2021

Dickson Store Museum - Now and Then

You all know that I love a good 'now and then' image and story.  Today's subject is the Dickson Store Museum in Dickson, Alberta. First let's get some history of Dickson! It is the oldest Danish settlement in Western Canada and was settled in 1903 by 17 Danish settlers who made their way there from Nebraska. 2 of these settlers, Carl and Laura Christiansen, opened a post office in their home in 1905  and then in 1909 built and opened the General Store and lived on the 2nd floor.  The Christiansen Family operated the store right up until 1980.  

Restoration on the store began in 1987 and officially opened as a museum in 1991. You can now visit the store as it would have looked in the 1930's, view the living quarters upstairs, and enjoy an ice cream cone in the ice cream room!

While you are in Dickson, you might as well head down the road (less than a KM) and visit the Danish Canadian Museum which is another great place to learn the history and culture of the Danish Canadians. Viking Days is one of our favourite events as well as the Haunted Forest in October. Both the Dickson Store Museum and Danish Canadian Museum are seasonal but with special events happening outside operating months.  


Dickson Store 1909 (From Dickson Store Museum Facebook)

Dickson Store c.1918 Courtesy of the Glenbow Archives

Dickson Store 1981 (From Dickson Store Museum Facebook)

Dickson Store 1992 after restoration. (From Dickson Store Museum Facebook)

Taken by me on our visit August 5th, 2021.

The Dickson area is also home to the Dickson Dam and Provincial Recreational Areas with all the outdoor amenities! So much to do in this part of Central Alberta and only a short drive from where I live!

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13 comments:

  1. BillOctober 20, 2021 at 9:48 AM

    What a great series of photos. It's so interesting seeing the same building being modified. It looks not much different from the original photo. Thanks for sharing, Jenn. Hope you doing well.

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    1. JennOctober 20, 2021 at 4:32 PM

      Thanks Bill! I love how it look the same except from the very first image. Nice to see a piece of history loved and cared for.

      Delete
  2. TomOctober 20, 2021 at 10:23 AM

    ...Jenn, it's interesting to see the additions built over the years. It looks great today.

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    1. JennOctober 20, 2021 at 4:33 PM

      Thanks Tom! It's a nice little slice of pioneer history.

      Delete
  3. William KendallOctober 20, 2021 at 10:45 AM

    Very well kept up.

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    1. JennOctober 20, 2021 at 4:33 PM

      It really is! I read there was so many volunteers that made the restoration happen.

      Delete
  4. John "By Stargoose And Hanglands"October 20, 2021 at 11:41 AM

    What a fantastic little place. So nice to see small details of the past being preserved.

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  5. RedOctober 20, 2021 at 4:44 PM

    They seem to have worked very hard to maintain historical buildings. I've ben to this area many times and met people who were born and raised there. Great people.

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  6. Debra She Who SeeksOctober 20, 2021 at 7:10 PM

    What a great series of photos! The old gas pump bowser beside the door is a nice touch!

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  7. Glen BoweOctober 22, 2021 at 6:58 PM

    That is so cool to see the same building from the same perspective over all those years. Well done.

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  8. RedPatOctober 25, 2021 at 10:11 AM

    It is in such great condition! I didn't know there was such a colony of Danes in Alberta. Viking Days must be fun.

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  9. Michael TrumanOctober 30, 2021 at 9:30 PM

    Good for another 100 years!

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