Lethbridge living March/April 2017 | Page 18

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Historic Images Connect Past to Present

Everyone likes looking at historic pictures . Especially , if those historic pictures are of people or places you know . For Matthew McHugh , accessing the Galt Museum and Archives one day last July to look for some historic photos for his new office turned into a larger marketing idea . “ We are a new law firm that focuses only on real estate , and part of the philosophy of our firm is to establish a real connection to the community ,” says McHugh . “ So why not decorate our office with historic photos of people in Lethbridge and Southern Alberta in front of their homes or farming their land ?”
“ We are located on 7th Street South and we wanted some historic photos of 7th Street South ,” says McHugh . “ Andrew knew exactly what historic images included our location .”
“ We are a new law firm that focuses only on real estate , and part of the philosophy of our firm is to establish a real connection to the community .”
After a quick archives search and with the help of the Galt Museum ’ s archival staff , namely Andrew Chernevych and Kevin MacLean , Matthew discovered all kinds of great images to use for Fee Simple Law ’ s new office , and eventually to use for all of their firm ’ s marketing . “ Andrew and Kevin were a great help ,” says McHugh “ those guys are a great resource for historical images and community history , and they really helped me out .”
McHugh and his business partner , Michael Gabriel , say that looking at images like the Lethbridge skyline in 1911 ( below ) have been a lot of fun for them and for clients . “ As people come into the office and look at the images we discover a bit more information each time . For example , what each building was or what it became and how long it was there ,” says Gabriel .
“ I think the aerial photo from 1942 is one of the most popular ,” he adds , “ because people can see when the Westside was all farm land , and we can see things like the old Churchill Yards railway station , the prisoner of war camp from the Second World War , and the river bottom and coulees before there was Whoop-up Drive or the University .” “ It gives you a real sense of place ” adds McHugh .
The Coe house is another popular image as it is an image of Lethbridge ’ s first school teacher , Edith Coe , in front of her 1896 home at what is now 6th Avenue and 4th Street . “ People love it because you can see how
1911 photograph showing the view to the Northwest from the top of the standpipe at 5th Avenue and 9th Street South . Knox Presbyterian Church , the Court House and the smoke stack of the brewery are visible . ( left )