The History of Lacombe DO NOT UPDATE - MOVED

Central Alberta was a relatively uninhabited land when Ed Barnett, a former Northwest Mounted Policeman settled in what was to be Lacombe back in 1883. As a tribute to his service in that unit of trailblazing peacemakers, Barnett was entitled to claim a section of land of his choice. Upon seeing the grassy valley of the parkland with its abundance of water, he knew that he had found the perfect place to tame the land and start ranching. Because it was located close to the halfway point between Edmonton and Calgary, Barnett welcomed weary travellers into his cabin, becoming a stopping house on the Calgary & Edmonton Trail. In 1888, Ed was joined by his brother Jack, who upon hearing of the beautiful surroundings and success Ed was experiencing, decided to pack up his belongings and make the long trek from his home in Almonte, Ontario.

In 1890, the great Calgary Edmonton railroad was started, and the Canadian Pacific decided they would pass right by Ed Barnett’s ranch. A flood of prospective homesteaders began to use the train to move to the land of their choice. In 1891, the Barnetts were joined by many of their Almonte friends. The town was beginning to take shape. The Barnetts had two separate lodgings; Ed continued to run the stopping house and ranch. Jack moved to the lake bearing his name a few miles northwest of his brother. Jack’s wife, an actress with whom he eloped with in Almonte, became the unofficial welcoming committee to new families in the Lacombe area.

The railroad saw the number of people flocking to this area and gave the area a Siding. In those days, the railroad gave boxcars to blossoming communities as rail stations and mail rooms. The boxcars would sit beside the main tracks on a spur and given numbers as names, to be changed to a name later. Originally Siding no. 12, it was soon changed by the residents to Barnett Siding before the railroad changed the town’s name to Lacombe. This was in homage to the missionary Father Lacombe, who brought peace to the Native Americans in the area.

By 1896, the population had grown to village status, the eighth community to become such in the growing area of the Northwest Territories that would become Alberta. William Burris was given the duties of being Lacombe’s first overseer and postmaster. The expansion and growth of the town continued and was given official town status in 1905.

The town grew steadily, and by 1906 Lacombe was well on its way to being a commercial center and community hub. Many businesses saw Lacombe as a vital link to the growing farming community in Central Alberta. The Merchants Bank, located on the flatiron block, was completed in 1904. Its prominent place on one of the best properties in town proclaimed that Lacombe was a town not in danger of being abandoned. Its brick and stone construction and lofty design promoted a sense of security and trust by the townspeople and local farmers, who were hesitant to entrust a bank with their hard-earned money. The old cash-in-a-coffee-tin was still the preferred choice by many. The Merchant’s Bank’s beautiful and strong construction convinced many that the bank would be a safe place to stash their extra cash.

Prosperity for the townspeople and businesses of Lacombe was strong and alive in those first pioneering days, and continues to be such. With many new businesses being established along with the housing projects springing forth, it is clear that Lacombe is a progressive town on the grow while still keeping true to its roots and remembering the pioneers who braved impossible odds to make the community strong. Lacombe and area residents take pride in the town. Its collection of Edwardian-style buildings is truly unique among Alberta communities. The Maski-Pitoon Historical Society plays an important role in the preservation of Lacombe’s heritage, through the Michener House Museum, the Blacksmith Shop, and the Community Archives. The historical society also plays a role in the continued growth of the community.

For more information about the history of Lacombe or research inquiries, email the Maski-Pitoon Historical Society at maski@telusplanet.net.