From the Vaults: Audio from Edmonton's Past

Today, John McIssac interviews Pierre Cochard, most well known as the founder of the Chez Pierre Cabaret. This interview took place on August 28th, 1981. Cover Image: EA-207-47 Chez Pierre Cabaret This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on January 14th, 2021. These interviews were recorded in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Both social attitudes...

This week we join John McIssac on August 17th, 1981 for his interview of former Chief Commissioner Dr. Peter Frank Bargen. As both a former School Board Intendant and Chief Commissioner, Dr. Bargen describes the evolution of his career and the development of the City. This recording has been shortened due to its length. This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digi...

This week we join John McIssac on August 14th, 1981 for his interview of former Commissioner Alfred H. Savage. This recording has been shortened due to its length. Cover Image: ET-28-264 https://cityarchives.edmonton.ca/dr-howell-left-commissioner-savage-right This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on January 7th, 2021. These interviews...

This week we join John McIssac on June 12th, 1981 for his interview of former Commissioner Stan Hampton. Topics include the growth of the City's infrastructure, particularly the establishment of the Edmonton Convention Center. This recording has been shortened due to its length. Cover Image: EA-805-3 https://cityarchives.edmonton.ca/mrs-isabella-mossman-of-the-citys-social-service-department-...

Today, we join John McIssac in his May 15th, 1981 interview of Stan Williams.  A newspaper man from a very early age, Williams details his start in Vancouver's reporting scene before his eventual move to Edmonton and to the Edmonton Journal. This recording has been shortened due to its length. MS-221: Stan Williams fonds https://cityarchives.edmonton.ca/stan-williams-fonds Cover Image: EA-279...

On today's episode, we join John McIssac for his March 5th, 1981 interview of William B. Cairn. The former Director of Personnel for the City of Edmonton, Cairn describes his early life in Belfast before his eventual relocation to Edmonton. This recording has been shortened due to its length. This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist o...

In today's episode, we join John McIssac and Lawrence 'Buck' Olsen on their December 11th, 1980 interview. Olsen, a member of Edmonton's City Council for three terms, describes his time there and some of the large-scale projects he was involved in. This recording has been shortened due to its length. This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digi...

In today's episode, join John McIssac and Terry Cavanagh, Edmonton's first native-born mayor, on their December 4th, 1980 interview. This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on December 10th, 2020. These interviews were recorded in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Both social attitudes and language standards have changed since that time....

In today's episode, we join John McIssac, Margery Allen, and Mrs. Barker in their 1980 interview. The interviewees describe their time in Edmonton and the development of the City. This recording has been shortened due to its length. This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on December 10th, 2020. These interviews were recorded in the...

In today's episode, we join John McIssac and Dr. Ivor Dent in their November 5/12th, 1980 interview. Dent describes his time as Mayor of Edmonton and delves into his experience bidding on the Commonwealth Games, which were successfully held in Edmonton in 1978. This recording has been shortened due to its length. Cover Image: Edmonton Public Library via Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki...

On today's episode, we join John McIssac in his October 27th, 1980 interview of Dr. Kenneth S. Penifold. As the Director of Environmental Health Services for the City of Edmonton at the time, Penifold describes his interest in public health and how he came to that position from an interest in animal care.  This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by...

On today's episode, we join John McIssac and Cecil 'Tiger' Goldstick for their September 25th, 1980 interview. The son of Edmonton's first rabbi, Goldstick describes his perspective of the early Jewish community in Edson and Edmonton. In addition to his experiences during WWII, Goldstick describes his career in sports, specifically his boxing career.  Cover Image: EA-600-209b h...

Today we conclude David Leonard's interview series of William P. Wagner. Taking place on the same day, April 27th, 1977, Wagner completes his recollection of his career and explains some of his retirement projects. This recording has been shortened due to its length. Cover Image: EA-311-2 https://cityarchives.edmonton.ca/w-p-wagner This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel...

Join Scotty Campbell and David Leonard in their May 30th, 1977 interview. Campbell, the brother of a previous interviewee, Jessie Campbell, describes his time working in botany and plant pathology.  This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on October 16th, 2020. These interviews were recorded in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Both social attitud...

Join Ernest Cook and David Leonard in their May 12th, 1977 interview on today's episode. Cook discusses his early life, especially the history and development of Taber, Alberta. This recording has been shortened due to its length. Cover Image: EA-600-570 https://cityarchives.edmonton.ca/newly-elected-executive-at-the-annual-ccf-provincial-convention-l-r-t-b-harold-bronson-john-h-king-w-margol...

In today's episode, we continue David Leonard's interview of William P. Wagner on April 27th, 1977. Wagner continues his discussion of his teaching career. Due to an error in recording, the interview was cut short. Cover Image: EA-311-2 https://cityarchives.edmonton.ca/w-p-wagner This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on Octobe...

On today's episode, David Leonard interviews Joseph Lamoureux, a member of the Edmonton Police Service, on October 23rd, 1978.  This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on August 28th, 2020. These interviews were recorded in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Both social attitudes and language standards have changed since that time.  Some opini...

On today's episode, we join David Leonard and Violet A. May in their October 13th interview in 1978. May discusses her early life in Edmonton and her marriage to Wilfred May, who was best known for his career in aviation. This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on August 28th, 2020. These interviews were recorded in the 1960s, 70s, a...

Join David Leonard and Grace McEachern in their October 9, 1978 interview. McEachern discusses her time on her family's farm as well as her experience working as a teacher in the Edmonton area. McEachern's perspective is particularly interesting as she was the first teacher in the Oliver area, which was the first school in the Ellerslie district.  This interview was originally recorded o...

On today's episode, we go back to October 31st, 1978 to join David Leonard and Hubert Hollingworth. Hollingworth discusses his career as a photographer, as well as the growth of the City during the 30's to 50's. Although many other interviewees have discussed the growth of Edmonton, Hollingworth was in the rare position to actually capture images of it on film, the majority of which...

On this episode, join David Leonard on October 25th, 1978 for his interview of Eva McKitrick. McKitrick, a long-time resident of Edmonton, discusses her time as a teacher and her role as a member of the Edmonton Historical Board.  Eva McKitrick is very soft-spoken in this interview. We have tried to amplify it as best we can, but headphones are highly recommended as the audio signal dips in and ou...

On today's episode, David Leonard interviews George Cooper on December 16th, 1977. A former employee of the Edmonton Journal, Cooper discusses his time working as a journalist.  This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on October 14th, 2020. These interviews were recorded in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Both social attitudes and language...

Today's episode consists of David Leonard's conversation with Edgar E.C. Tall from December 14th, 1977. Tall discusses his career as a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) as well as his eventual relocation to Edmonton. The recording is quite faint in segments due to the recording equipment utilized in the interview.  This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open...

On today's episode, we travel back to December 6th, 1977 to join David Leonard in his interview with John Hogan. Hogan, a prominent member of the Edmonton Ski Club, describes the beginning of skiing in Edmonton and his record-breaking ski jumps at various hills around the city. Cover Image: EA-160-911 https://cityarchives.edmonton.ca/ski-jump-capilano-ravine This interview was originally reco...

Join David Leonard and Eva Johnston on December 2nd, 1977 for their interview. The mother of then Alderman Robert Matheson, Johnston describes her early life in Edmonton and the development of Edmonton's social communities north and south of the river.  This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on October 14th, 2020. These interviews w...