Naming Edmonton: From Ada to ZoieDo you know the stories behind Edmonton's place names? Naming Edmonton: From Ada to Zoie tells you the who, what and why behind the signs on Edmonton's streets, parks, neighbourhoods, subdivisions and other features, including bridges, walkways, cemeteries, ravines and waterways. By exploring the people, the events and the natural features that inspired Edmonton's place names, the history and development of the city's areas unfold. Why did Harry Belafonte always ask for Zoie Gardner when he visited Edmonton? Because Zoie had a heart bigger than the 13-room house she shared with her foster children. At one point 24 children were under her roof! Who built Edmonton's first stadium? Edmonton's most indefatigable politician, Mayor "Fighting Joe" Clarke persuaded the prime minister in 1930 to lease land to the city for an athletic park for one dollar a year. Did you know that Farnell Close is named after a spy? Peggy Farnell worked as an agent for the British Secret Intelligence Service during WWII. Why is a park in Strathcona named "Big" Miller? Clarence Horatio "Big" Miller was a renowned jazz trombonist, blues singer and educator. Do you know the tragic story behind the gold watch presented to Olympian Alex Wuttunee Decoteau by King George V? During WWI, Sgt. Decoteau, Canada's first Aboriginal police officer, was killed by a sniper who stole the watch. It was returned to Decoteau's mother in Canada by his fellow soldiers. Who was the author of a pageant for Edmonton's golden jubilee? In 1954, Elsie Park Gowan wrote "Who Builds a City," which traced the city's growth through the story of one family. How many Grey Cups did legendary football player Jackie Parker lead the Edmonton Eskimos to? In 1954, Parker recovered a fumble in the last minute of the game and went on to win the Grey Cup, the first of his three championship titles. |
Contents
Foreword | ix |
Abbreviations | xv |
From Trails and River Lots to Modern Edmonton | xxi |
A Timeline of the City of Edmonton | xxix |
Ada Boulevard | 3 |
Anthony Henday Drive | 9 |
Big Miller Park | 25 |
Borden Park | 31 |
Hudsons Bay Reserve | 152 |
Jasper Avenue | 165 |
Kiniski Gardens | 182 |
Malcolm MacCrimmon Park | 206 |
McCauley | 213 |
Muchias Park | 225 |
Oliver | 237 |
Papaschase Industrial | 245 |
Calder | 45 |
Coal Fields | 58 |
Decoteau Trail | 72 |
Dunvegan Road | 81 |
Edmonton | 87 |
GG A MacDonald Avenue to Guthrie Ravine | 109 |
Harbin Road | 133 |
Henrietta Louise Edwards Park | 141 |
Common terms and phrases
23 Avenue 50 Street 66 Street 97 Street Alberta Avenue alderman AVE AVE Avenue No longer Avenue north Avenue Road Avenue This park became Blackmud Creek born in Ontario Boulevard bourhood Calgary Calgary Trail Canada Canadian Capilano Cemetery circa City of Edmonton Clover Bar Cree Ellerslie Road Estate farm feature story Glenora Groat Heights honour Hudson's Bay Company Industrial Subdivision Jasper Avenue Jasper Place Kennedale Klarvatten Lake land later longer exists Road mayor Mill Woods Mill Woods Road moved to Edmonton NAMING EDMONTON North Saskatchewan River Order of Canada Park is located Park neighbourhood Park Park Rabbit Hill Rabbit Hill Road Ravine retired Road East Road North Road Road Road West served Strathcona Street No longer Street Road Street This neighbourhood Street This park Street west Terwillegar Drive town University of Alberta Whitemud Drive Whyte Avenue Winterburn Wolf Willow WWII Yellowhead Trail