From the Vaults: Audio from Edmonton's Past

For today's episode, we join Danielle Bugeaud in her November 7th, 1979 interview of Thomas Candler, long-time resident of Edmonton. Candler describes working in and around the City during the oil boom, as well as his time working to clear snow during harsh winters.  This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on August 27th, 2020. These...

On today's episode, we join David Leonard and Jessie Campbell in their September 1st, 1977 interview. Campbell compares her early life in Scotland with her later experience living in Canada. Campbell also describes her experience working in the south side post office.  The picture of the post office which Campbell describes is linked below, along with the names of the individuals in the image...

Join David Leonard and Maisie Hamilton in their August 30th, 1977 interview where Hamilton describes her experience as a newcomer to Canada from Liverpool in the late 1910's. Hamilton also describes the building of many landmarks around the City's downtown that still stand today.  Cover Image: EA-71-3 https://cityarchives.edmonton.ca/maisie-hamilton Related Records: https://cityarchives....

On this episode, David Leonard and Maude Page discuss her marriage to J. Percy Page and the evolution of the Edmonton Public School system in their August 2nd, 1977 interview. Page also provides some insight into the Edmonton Grads and their travels to Europe. Maude Page is very soft-spoken in this interview. We have tried to amplify it as best we can, but headphones are highly recommended.  Cover...

Today, join David Leonard and William P. Wagner for their April 27th, 1977 interview. Wagner describes his childhood in Edmonton, the festivities surrounding the creation of the province of Alberta, and his early forays into teaching. Due to a malfunction of the tape recorder during the interview, the audio was cut short.  Cover Image: EA-311-2 https://cityarchives.edmonton.ca/w-p-wagner This inte...

On this episode, we join David Leonard and Edmund McDougall for their interview in 1977. McDougall describes Edmonton's massive growth from a small town with few two-storey homes to a metropolis with high-rise buildings.  This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on July 24th, 2020. These interviews were recorded in the 1960s, 70s, and...

On this episode, we journey back to 1976 to join David Leonard and Mabel Clark on their December 15th interview. Clark describes hardships growing up and living in early Namao as well as her experiences visiting Edmonton, where she would live later in life.  This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on July 24th, 2020. These interviews were...

This week we join John McIssac in his interview of Christina McKnight on July 11th, 1979. McKnight discusses her family, the McQueens, and her perspective on Edmonton's growth since her birth in 1898. This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on July 24th, 2020. Cover Image: Christina McKnight 1975 Edmonton Historical Board Award, RG-2...

Listen in this week to John McIssac's conversation with Willa Lundy on July 16th, 1979. Lundy discusses her experience raising horses in Edmonton as well as her father, Charles Sandison, the builder of the Sandison Block. This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on July 13th, 2020. These interviews were recorded in the 1960s, 70s, and...

This week, we join John McIssac and Reverend Demetrius 'Metro' Ponich on May 11th, 1979. Originally from Bukovina, Austria, Ponich immigrated to Edmonton where he served as a Methodist minister.  This interview was originally recorded on a 5 inch open reel tape and was digitized by an archivist on July 10th, 2020. These interviews were recorded in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Both social att...

On this episode, we go back to April 3rd, 1979 to join John McIssac and Noel Dant in their interview regarding Dant's early life in Edmonton as well as his role as Edmonton's first City Planner from 1949 to 1955. Dant discusses some of his work in developing the neighborhoods of Sherbrooke and Dovercourt, as well as some details regarding moving to Edmonton from Chicago. This interview w...

Today, we join John McIssac and Dr. William Carlyle during their July 17th, 1979 interview. Carlyle discusses his time as a veterinarian, as well as the use of animals in and around the Edmonton area throughout the twentieth century before mechanization spread throughout the City. William Carlyle at the last meeting of the Edmonton Archives Auxiliary: EA-746-107 https://cityarchives.edmonton.ca/th...

Welcome to our first digitized recording!  Today, we join John McIssac and John Ducey, Edmonton's "Mr. Baseball," as they discuss the arrival of Ducey's family to Edmonton. Although this interview was cut short, Ducey retells his early experiences in baseball and how it would influence his later career.  Cover Image: EA-600-3785 https://cityarchives.edmonton.ca/john-ducey-chang...

Welcome to the podcast! For this introductory episode, join Dylan as he lays out the background and details of the Oral History Project and its recent digitization.  Thanks for listening! Cover Image: EA-600-1441 https://cityarchives.edmonton.ca/army-week-technicians-at-the-prince-of-wales-armouries These interviews were recorded in the 1960s, 70s, and 80s. Both social attitudes and language stand...