Post by Owen Thomas on Aug 3, 2009 21:55:52 GMT -5
The Early Years
Fort Lethbridge was first founded in the early decades of the 19th century by the Governor of the Red River Settlement Miles MacDonell. It was seen above all else as an ideal centre for the military control based on its geographical placement within what was to become the Dominion of Canada. Situated in the centre of North America, it was valued for its convenient location along an already established trade route. This route was soon to be used as guide for what was to become the main railway system from coast to coast.
What made this area truly desirable was the mountain ranges that surrounded a flat concentrated piece of fertile land. These mountains provided a natural barrier to the outside world with only one clear access point facing the north. Soon after the purchase of the land, a large military Fort was built, and a small settlement established.
The Glory Years
The fort was named after the home town of the first military commander to reside there, Alexander McKeen. The Alberta native felt strong ties to the place that he grew up in, and felt it necessary to preserve as much of his past into his new home as possible. The fort was destroyed at the start of the First World War because of the demand placed on the Canadian military for cheap building materials for warehouses. The entire building was gutted and finally removed leaving no trace of it except for the stone foundation that remains.
Desertion and Rebirth
The land was purchased by the Federal Government in the early 40's for the purpose of nuclear testing, but this plan was never followed due to protests across the country. Since that time, this land has been left deserted and unused for decades only to re-established for its current use. Many of the original buildings that surrounded the fort are still intact and remain as the pillars for the community. For economic reasons, many of the buildings have been restored to allow human habitation once more. though several of these original homes have been destroyed due to faulty foundations.
Fort Lethbridge has always been a place of government secrecy and continues to serve that purpose in our current day.
Fort Lethbridge was first founded in the early decades of the 19th century by the Governor of the Red River Settlement Miles MacDonell. It was seen above all else as an ideal centre for the military control based on its geographical placement within what was to become the Dominion of Canada. Situated in the centre of North America, it was valued for its convenient location along an already established trade route. This route was soon to be used as guide for what was to become the main railway system from coast to coast.
What made this area truly desirable was the mountain ranges that surrounded a flat concentrated piece of fertile land. These mountains provided a natural barrier to the outside world with only one clear access point facing the north. Soon after the purchase of the land, a large military Fort was built, and a small settlement established.
The Glory Years
The fort was named after the home town of the first military commander to reside there, Alexander McKeen. The Alberta native felt strong ties to the place that he grew up in, and felt it necessary to preserve as much of his past into his new home as possible. The fort was destroyed at the start of the First World War because of the demand placed on the Canadian military for cheap building materials for warehouses. The entire building was gutted and finally removed leaving no trace of it except for the stone foundation that remains.
Desertion and Rebirth
The land was purchased by the Federal Government in the early 40's for the purpose of nuclear testing, but this plan was never followed due to protests across the country. Since that time, this land has been left deserted and unused for decades only to re-established for its current use. Many of the original buildings that surrounded the fort are still intact and remain as the pillars for the community. For economic reasons, many of the buildings have been restored to allow human habitation once more. though several of these original homes have been destroyed due to faulty foundations.
Fort Lethbridge has always been a place of government secrecy and continues to serve that purpose in our current day.
